I imagine a story
A scene or situation that I might find myself and those around me in
An earthquake or gruesome battle
A school shooting or epic escape on the back of a dragon
Damsel in distress, hero and villian- I've played every role.
I imagine plot twists
When they come to rescue me from the tower
Only to see that I've escaped it myself
Having learned the art of sorcery in my long, dark days of captivity
Or when they send an assassin, and only the best
Nameless, faceless to all but never failing to eliminate the chosen Target
And their shock at the realization that they've hired me
The princess
To assassinate myself
I watch these scenes play out, and live them in my dreams.
Last night, I ran barefoot through the woods I called home
Laughing effortlessly and guided by the silvery light of the moon
While pursued by the King's men, as they tripped over every root in the darkness
Cursing sharply enough to scare away the forest creatures that were my closest companions
The night before, I crashed through the library window of a tall and imposing castle
Falling with shards of glass that twinkled like stars;
We both hit the ground, shattering
The maroon of my elegant dress darkening with the blood that pooled over the polished oak floor
These stories are born in my sleep
Fading, growing, changing as I awake and continue to dream
Overtime, these unconsious memories are forgotten and replaced
All but a single detail or two that repeat themselves, over and over
And it is these details that I incorporate into my writing.