Kimmery on ... Writing

Let me tell you something that changed my life.

I've always been kind of an idiot savant when it comes to reading. I like everything: outlandish memoirs, straight-up nerdy science texts, humorous travelogues, overwrought YA dystopian romances, wordy literary fiction. And so on. I’m an information junkie, and I read in the bathtub, in bed, while eating, and instead of cleaning the house. Sometimes I read instead of remembering my job, which means I’m constantly yelping in dismay as I rush out the door with my clothes on inside out. I'll read anything if it's well-written. But this writing thing is new to me.

I read somewhere that 81% of Americans want to write a book, which, if true, is colossal. This seems a bit unlikely, though, since most of us can't even write a coherent tweet. Plus, getting 81% of Americans to agree on anything is about as likely as me discovering the key to cold fusion while applying my makeup. But guess what? It could be true! I tried writing, and I'm hopelessly hooked. I love it. Now I write incessantly: on the computer, on my phone, on the back of receipts and gum wrappers and my children's homework. I write in my head when I'm supposed to be doing other stuff (best to be vague here) and I write late at night when I'm supposed to be sleeping. So...if 81% of you decide to be a writer, I say go for it. You might find it changes your life, too.