...... Believe me, it's happened before. I was young (seventh grade to be exact), just starting out, and I didn't know any better.
Now, I just put the novel away..and wait. The wait has been known to last six months to a year. Sometimes longer. For others, the time frame may be shorter, but eventually they will come. The inner voices, I mean. I no longer hold verbal one-sided conversations with myself. My characters have one-sided conversations with me..in my head. When they start talking to me about dialogue and plot, that tells me it's time to pull out the novel and jump in again.
So, go on. You try it: Open up your mind and listen to your inner voice. If we ever meet at a conference or a book signing and you tell me that you've been hearing voices, I won't think you're crazy. I promise.
Copyright © 2004 ' Celise Downs. Reprinted with permission. Celise is a Young Adult fiction author and owner of Gemini Mojo Press. Her books, 'Secrets and Kisses' (Mar 2004) and 'Dance Jam Productions' (Sept 2004), are currently available on the publisher website at http://www.GeminiMojoPress.com
