What it takes

...I write or maybe I should say I scribble. Strange poems, short stories and the odd movie review. But I would never, could never write a novel.

...I read a lot and so I was wondering what it takes to get me hooked in the first place, to keep me reading on way beyond my bedtime and to finally leave me wanting more and feeling a little sad.

...Vikram Seth has it and so do Maeve Binchy, Rubina Uzzaman, Elizabeth Noble, Richard Bach,... to name just a few. But what do they have?

...A core for their novels to begin with. An idea that turns into a story, with twists and turns, a plot which is gripping and plausible, heroes I can identify with and whose lives I am interested in following.

...They need excellent linguistic and stilistic skills because nothing is more annoying than stumbling over grammatical mistakes or reading through repetitions galore.

...And last but not least, they must have patience and stamina. The patience to bring situations to life, to build around the dialogues and most of all the stamina to work through a writer's block.

...So Vikram, Maeve, Rubina, Elizabeth, Richard - whatever it is: Keep doing what you're doing!

Liquid Blanket

I dive into your liquid hug
you flow around me
hug me but don't hold.

I sink in deeper
your wavy warm embrace.

The liquid vertigo that grips me
I'm floating up
I leave you...