Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Hooray! Completed another story today, after letting it ‘cool’ over night. That is truly my most valuable tip for any writer — allowing a story to rest or ‘cool’ over night, so the writer may go back to it in the morning to proofread it with their eyes — not just spellcheck of the computer! By applying that rule, I normally find any errors I might have overlooked during the writing, research phase. I must laugh at myself now because years ago, when I was a serious college student, not one who simply enrolled for the “party atmosphere,” I told my professor “I love to write!” The professor, a middle aged male with a demeanor so similar to the character of George Carlin, before he filled his mouth with too many colorful words, simply walked over to me, touched me on the shoulder, laughed out loud and said, “You love to write…THEN — You are not a writer!” Of course the class laughed and I wanted to creep into the woodwork. Although I did not understand his sarcasm at the time, I certainly understand it now! Yes, I am a writer…and writers DO HATE to WRITE!

Such famous last words. “Writers hate to write.” But — you say, “I LOVE to WRITE!” Of course you do. Writing can be rewarding, therapeutic and so depressing. Writing is a way of self expression. Writing releases endorphins. Writing does so much for the soul, and when you stare at pen and paper, or a computer monitor, writing can drive a person crazy! Why? Simple. Sometimes the words flow, and sometimes — we writers cannot organize our thoughts into one simple sentence. That is when I grab the leashes, gather my pups who are always at my feet — such as they are now, and I ‘hook ’em up’ to go for a long, embracing walk. Walking is so therapeutic. Walking releases the cobwebs inside my brain, and sometimes, when I get the thoughts right, I grab my Blackberry and write an e-mail to myself — so the thoughts, plot points or characters are not lost in the wind. Neighbors driving by usually roll a window down and ask me if I’m alright. And why wouldn’t they? They see a silly, somewhat mad woman punching away at a tiny device while three dogs are attached to her wrists, wishing she would get up off of the ground and — continue the walk.

OK. So my dogs understand. Sometimes they are patient while I am working while walking, and sometimes, Sir Shakespeare Hemingway will do his little song and dance routine, lifting his leg next to a tree branch to relieve himself, then when he is really annoyed, he will roll over, kicking his four legs into the air while dancing on his back. Believe me, I get the message rather quickly and make the attempt to send the e-mail to myself. I suppose you must be a witness to this event to appreciate how ‘the woman who walks three dogs’ is sitting on the ground playing with her phone while the dogs appear totally bored.