Stephen M. Tomic, Date another writer? OMG! I can’t even imagine that.

My most recent spouse and I had an agreement. I agreed to never, ever, ever talk about my writing and to never, ever, ever ask her to read any of my writing or show her any evidence of my writing. She agreed to never, ever, ever read any of my writing and to never ask about it or bring it up in conversation. The subject of my writing was never to come up, either between us or when we were together in public at any social occasion. (None of her friends ever knew I was a writer. I wasn’t allowed to mention it.) It was a very workable agreement that enabled our marriage to last for a little over twenty years.

It was the same with all the women before her. I learned that the quickest way to end a relationship was to show the woman my writing. It’s no wonder that now in my ‘sunset’ years I am so deliriously and happily single. I know that if I were to want to be in a relationship (God forbid!) I would have to give up writing — or hide it. And that is something that I just cannot do anymore. I am out of the closet as a writer and I won’t go back in the closet for anyone.

Stephen, your idea of dating another writer may be the only option available to me. As unimaginable as that sounds, it may be a possibility that I am overlooking. I’ve known hundreds of writers over the years but I’ve never dated a writer before. It’s hard to see myself getting naked and into bed with someone and all those freaking books! (And with a psychiatrist and book reviewer sitting on either side of the bed.)

My late doggie was the only person who had ever unconditionally loved me even though I was a writer. It may have something to do with the fact that she could not read. Gosh, I miss her so much!