Albert Einstein said, “Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.” It was part of a long list of quotes from people ranging from Pablo Picasso to Bill Gates. Except for the most extreme extroverts, we all need time to be alone. We are not seeking loneliness. You can do that with any group of people. We need time to be alone. As Nikola Tesla said, “that’s when ideas are born.”
When I am writing, I am aware of all my characters. I can hear them speaking. I can feel their broken hearts. I can feel their joy at being in love. I get lost in their world. I get annoyed when my cell phone rings or someone comes into the room. My characters suddenly become quiet, not wanting to share their world with my interlopers.
If you want to write and share your living characters, find the solitude you need. It might be when everyone else is sleeping in the middle of the night. Or it might be as simple as the closet in your bedroom with the door closed. Don’t be ashamed of your need for solitude.
