Wednesday, July 08, 2009

The Only Bad Thing

I love having a good imagination. When I was a child, I would lay in bed at night and put myself to sleep by imagining stories, scenarios, whole worlds - I never fought my mom on going to bed because it was so much fun for me to lay there and imagine. As an adult, I love being able to imagine how other people think and feel - it has made me more sympathetic to those around me. And yes, I do still imagine myself to sleep sometimes.

It's fun to be able to speculate about things and wonder, "What if this happened?" It provides so many possibilities to life, so much to anticipate, and it makes life a mystery, wondering which of the many alternatives might actually turn out to be the truth.

But that's where the only bad thing about having a good imagination comes into play. I'm rarely surprised.

By the time something happens, I've already imagined it happening in a million different ways, in different settings, with everyone wearing different colors and styles and listening to different music at the time ... and so when it happens, it's like I already knew it would.

That's why I appreciate surprises so much. When something happens that really does catch me off guard, it's an extra delight.

14 comments:

Dan Olsen said...

Hi Tristi,

I haven't commented on your blog in ages. Did you imagine that I would come and do so today? Sorry, I've been away for a while. I'm still trying to put the new house together and spending a ton of time at the new job.

Annette Lyon said...

Sooooo . . . were you surprised recently?

* said...

Surprises are delightful, I agree!

And the imagination thing runs like cowlicks and freckles in my family...we all have it, especially my sisters and my mom. We can't go grocery shopping without imagining what this stranger or that one is off to next.

Anonymous said...

I'm the same way! The only difference is that I really don't like surprises. My honey tries to surprise me, and occasionaly he succeeds, but usually, I'm just as glad to have an idea. My bad part comes in when the real thing and my imagination don't jive, and I set my hopes on my imaginings...

Anonymous said...

So...what's the surprise? (I'm dying to know.)

I still imagine myself to sleep too. In fact, that's why I enjoy sleep as much as I do. It's as though my mind loosens and all things become more possible. I have a fairly good imagination but it's even better just before sleep.

Sweet dreaming!

Lee Ann Setzer said...

Wow, Tristi--I'm going to have to try pumping up the imagination. Your brain sounds like an interesting place to live!

Tristi Pinkston said...

Nope, I haven't had any surprises. Good ones, at any rate. I wouldn't mind one, though, if someone wants to show up on my doorstep dressed as a chicken ... but see, now I'm imagining that, so you couldn't surprise me that way. Sheesh.

Diane said...

I used to not be able to sleep for thinking and dreaming too much. A friend kept a notepad and pen next to his bed in case he woke up with great ideas to write down.

LeeAnne Hanks said...

I can totally relate! My imagination has always been fast moving, though I am constantly surprised at people, at situations I have imagined all the possibilities already. That's why I just thought, while my mind is running, I might as well write it all down. My first book "Within the Flame" has just come out, and as an LDS author, I'm not sure how a YA Fiction is going to be recieved by the public, but it's nice to see a fellow LDS Author doing so well! Thanks for the boost in confidence!
~LeeAnne Hanks
www.strategicbookpublishing.com/WithinTheFlame.html

Josi said...

See, and I do the same thing but I'm convinced that whatever I imagine WON'T happen, so while I often do imagine it, I'm surprised anyway because I convinced myself I was wrong. Weird.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Wow, what an interesting twist on the blessing/curse that is having a good imagination. My problem is that I use mine to fuel my neurotic nature and worry like mad about things that never happen

Kersten said...

Tristi,
I just finished Agent in Old Lace and LOVED it! It was so good! Great job! Can't wait to read your other books.

It's so cool to know you love the Amelia Peabody books too! I think we have a lot in common.

Chas Hathaway said...

I wonder if that's why I'm a die-hard predictor. I LOVE predicting what's going to happen in movies and books. Drives my wife crazy.

We'll be watching a movie, and I'll say, "Those two will end up together," or "he's the bad guy - or will be."

Before I read Harry Potter 6 (seven wasn't even out yet), my wife was telling me about horcrux's, and I blurted out, "Harry is a horcrux!"

I'm only right half the time, but my imagination goes crazy when I get into a movie or book.

- Chas

violetlady said...

I like to do that, too. I just remembered that I owe you an answer to your request to do a virtual book review on a tour. I am sorry I forgot to get back to you. It is probably too late now. So sorry.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...