First up, a big thank you to Lee for inviting me to expose my fetish here on his blog. It's not everyday you get that opportunity without the threat of being arrested.
Like Lee, and I suspect a large majority of writers, I find a lot of contemplative solace in a good shower. It's one of those places where the mind becomes free, unencumbered, and some of my best ideas and lines have originated there.
I also have a few other places that have the same effect for me so, unlike Lee, I don't have to spend all day having half-a-dozen showers to avoid blocks or keep the ideas flowing. Being a home-dad, I also find meditative writing solace in: putting washing on the line; chopping vegetables for dinner; vacuuming the swimming pool; mowing the lawns; and scrubbing the shower; driving the kids to school. They're all mindless, repetitive tasks that I do on a regular basis. They allow me to switch into auto-pilot mode wherein, somewhere in the background of my mind, my subconscious can solve those pesky plot and character problems without interference from me. These things, they're all catalysts that prepare me for getting words on the page.
But, once I'm in my chair and working, what is it that keeps me going? What (or who) encourages me, congratulates me, and cheers me on from the sidelines?
Well, let me introduce you...
Hi name is Jeff Lebowski, but he's more commonly known as The Dude, or, uh, His Dudeness, or, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing. He sits right beside my monitor, always just in my field of vision, and he's never less than excited about the work I produce.
Yes, 'The Big Lebowski' is one of my favourite films, and friends and family have noticed similarities to my own lifestyle and demeanour on more than one occasion. He was a gift, from my wife, and I know by that she meant it as a kind of in-joke about myself.
I loved the gift, I really did, but at first I saw only 'The Dude', happy with himself for having bowled a strike. He joined my other bobble-heads and collectible figures – Pinhead, Robocop, Gumby, Boba Fett, Ren & Stimpy – on the shelf and sat there a while. It wasn't until I bought a new desk and reconfigured my writing space that he ended up in his current position. I don't think I ever intended him to stay there. It was just temporary. A place to put him out of the way until I determined where everything would go.
A year later, and he's still there.
Why? Because, just look at that face! The smile and the excitement. His arms raised, as if fist-pumping yet another victory. And, as I type, the desk moves just enough that his head wobbles, constantly, in an ever encouraging nod.
"Those words are crazy," he's saying. "Keep going! What you're writing is the most awesome thing ever... but, you know, that's just like, my opinion, man."
So, there you go. The Dude abides...right beside my desk, cheering me on with nods and smiles and triumphant fists.
I don't know about you but I take comfort in that.
Andrew J McKiernan is an author and illustrator living and working on the Central Coast of New South Wales. First published in 2007, his stories have since been short-listed for multiple Aurealis, Ditmar and Australian Shadows awards and reprinted in a number of Year's Best anthologies. He was Art Director for Aurealis magazine for 8 years and his illustrations have graced the covers and internals of a number of books and magazines. "Last Year, When We Were Young" a collection of his short stories was released in 2014 by Satalyte Publishing. http://www.andrewmckiernan.com
Are you a creative artist? Fancy joining in and letting us know about that special item, object, location or cosmic state of being at the heart of your creative process? There's always room for another lunatic in the asylum: email me and make your most excited Horshack noise.
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