What Marathon-Viewing Taught Me About Writing Story

In my last post I promised I would tell you what I learned about writing story from marathon viewing television and film series on Netflix during my recent convalescence. 

Before this I was a marathon viewing virgin. 

Creative Commons Photo by Flickr Member Espensorvik
(from http://www.flickr.com/photos/28478778@N05/5728487477/sizes/m/in/photolist-9JcZKt-bMputB-9JcZak-dCAyJg-eAKZSS-bm57U4-9WHT9f-7GCcyC-edyAVW-b3gjyr-avdHgo-8fUsUH-8bEHKJ-efUu2g-dwYo3z-dwYoug-drGF9A-drGvQB-dLrfTA-7RZPfQ-bxJ5r8-9NAMPR-8w3ARY-7HAr2J-7HAoZ7-dRoLCE/)

To be candid, I've been known to read a book through to the end even if I had to stay up all night to do it. Trust me, there are books and book series engaging enough to make me do that.  Book series have kept me engrossed for days and weeks at a time, depending on how many books there are in the series. 

While convalescing I was zonked on pain meds and found it difficult to concentrate well enough to write anything intelligible. My eyes wouldn't focus well enough to read. So I thought, why not?

I was surprised by what the experience taught me about writing.

How to Get Back to a Daily Writing Habit After a Break: Writing PT

I didn't break my ankle while exercising or while executing a karate kick. 

No, that would be too cool a thing to be able to share with others. (Yeah, you should see the face my foot connected with. Sure I broke my ankle, but I bet he won't try to mug anyone else!)

I fell off a step, like a little old lady, as I was walking out to my driveway where a fellow book club member was waiting to drive us to our monthly meeting. Yes, she saw me fall. To add to my embarrassment, two younger neighbors saw me hit the ground, and came running to pick me up.