Did I leave the stove on? LOL that cracked me up.
Pretend friends, I had several of those, I bet you're shocked...NOT. I had a group for awhile, then it dwindled down to one called Kooky, not kidding, that was his name. And the rest of them had normal names like Michael and Jennifer, but Kooky remained with me the longest because he was FUNNY. Yeah, I can definitely relate to everything you said, as can my son. Luckily for him, I could relate, so he never thought he was too weird, lol.
I never stopped creating and living in fictional worlds (or having conversations with myself, though that I do where no one is around to see it) and my characters feel real to me, just as those imaginary friends did. And yes, I always knew they were from my imagination, and no they never told me to do anything bad lol.
Wow, I couldn't have guessed the seizure, but now that you say it, brilliant. I definitely have to re-read that chapter. I don't have a guess at Diego, but once I re-read maybe...or maybe not ;)
Awesome silver lining, my favorite one I think!
I'm more surprised that you're referring to Kooky as a "he." Your son is still young, he still has a lot of years to maybe think of himself as too weird haha! He's very lucky though that he has an awesome mom that can relate. Let's call it creative inheritance :D
We're fortunate that we weren't told by our imaginary friends to rob a bank or worse! I just hope that one day no one would ever have to suffer that kind of ordeal though. Mental illnesses should really be taken seriously.
I did pepper in clues, but I don't think anyone would be able to guess who he is ;) Is he someone we already saw? Is he friend or unlikely foe? Who knows! Do I even know?? I'm not sure anymore!! The only thing I'm sure of now is that I'm very grateful for your continued support, my friend :D "Much appreciated" doesn't even do it justice!
I think kooky was a boy because at the time, for the most part, I preferred boys to girls. I was a bit of a tomboy. Not over the top, I still played with barbies and dolls (and of course they had personalities much like characters in books lol), but if given a choice between playing with dolls or going to the pond to catch (and release) frogs or climb trees? Pond/frogs/trees every time, lol.
I accept creative inheritance, that is a very suitable phrase hee hee. Actually, I'm drawing a blank on the imaginary friend that lingered the longest with my son, but I know it was a she ;) (see chat for more on this subject, the comment was getting way too long lol)
Yes, mental illness is definitely not to be taken lightly. I honestly think it can be much worse than physical ailments.
Although I'm wide awake, my mind is in a hundred directions so I will not yet attempt to read and discern who Diego is..I want to be sharp for that! lol! "Do I even know?" LOL, you're really making me laugh today.
It's easy to support someone I want to come and chat at, hee hee. Not to mention who happens to be writing an awesome story that I would read and love even if I didn't know you and happened to come across it. Though knowing you and reading these silver linings definitely makes it that much better :)
Okay, definitely have to head to chat before I write a whole post in here.
Maybe imaginary friends are most commonly of the opposite gender because it provides a sort of balance? Definitely interesting if it is.
At least physical ailments are easier to discern because there are tangible signs to observe. Mental illness is quite puzzling even with the advancements in medicine. Diego's one of the best kept secrets of the book, so I wouldn't blame you if you're not able to guess him immediately. I'll be revealing his identity pretty soon anyway :D
I appreciate all the compliments and support, my friend! I completely feel undeserving, but I do fully appreciate everything. Don't worry about making posts within the comments, I think that has become a trademark the two of us share anyway :D
That's an interesting possibility about balance. You may be onto something there.
I have to admit now that I actually had the thought that he was imagining the conversation since in general people tend not to understand him. The way that I picture it is like Stewie from the Family Guy-which is to say that the words in his head do not come out the way he thinks them. The only reason I didn't come out and ask was in case it was not imaginary, it would have been a bit inconsistent with his character and something I would've approached you about in a more private forum. But I should have known that you would not make a character error like that! You have been completely consistent throughout.
You're right, it is a trademark between us, haha!
THIS
I was/am exactly the same way. It's comforting talking to someone who understands you, so if a person like that doesn't exist, it's easier to make someone up. I totally get your youngest, we're on the same boat.
You know what? Ledd has been compared to Stewie quite a few times now, maybe that's why you've been enjoying the story haha! I write stories knowing the ending, that's how I stay consistent all throughout. While there would be twists and turns in the middle, I know here I want the characters to end up :D