This was completely unexpected. And totally awesome! Started into it not sure what I was getting into, and got quickly grabbed by the different style you used (beyond the first person stuff). Much deeper and poetic. Your descriptiveness of the lioness in your mind had me right there with you, as I easily visualized what you were "seeing".

I have no way of knowing if artists go through any of this when they create their drawings, but I'm sure a lot of them would appreciate this rendition of the process. I guess as a writer, I kinda do on some level. In fact, as I consider this further, I'm realizing that I do experience a lot of what you wrote - just not as consciously. Until now.

People here should read this. I wish there was some way to bring this to the attention of a larger crowd since it really is touching. I've fav'd it (because I like it!) and hope that it gets some additional exposure from that.

Gotta confess, when you were describing the lioness, I assumed it would be Lila based on the navel - although the coloring wasn't matching. But Shanna was the name you said you used elsewhere - so there must be a number of lionesses in your imagination that have large outtie belly buttons, hehe.

A very nice piece here, Mitch. And a great example of what makes you such a talented writer! :3

Hee! I was hoping people would enjoy this as much as I did in my mind. :3 Thank you for diving into it so quickly.

I was in a verrrrrry strange state of mind when I got this idea, almost as if I was watching myself think and live, but from a deeper part of my consciousness. I was relaxed and enjoying life, it was the same day I made that thankful journal. :3

I'm pleased you were able to really appreciate this. It applies to not only visual art, but stories as well. I felt a sense of loss when Wishful Thinking ended. Not quite as melancholy as this, but I did experience something. :3

Shanna is what Lila was based on, she appeared in the first story I ever wrote on a random Yahoo group involving bellybuttons. She was a girlfriend for Mitch of sorts, and I still hold her in that regard. In fact, your enjoyment of this style may have her popping up quite soon in a possible new series that I may be working on soon, depending on how motivated I feel and what else I'm doing in life in the near future. :3 But back to Shanna, she was just like she was described in here, but definitely more outgoing and rougher than Mitch, very direct about her love of navels. :3 I'll just say she got a makeover and attitude adjustment to become Lila.

An interesting take on the creative process, in fact, if you really wanted to, you could easily turn this into a bigger story about further interactions with this female lion character you've described. Maybe introduce other aspects of the dream world you slip into when you visit her.

Thanks for the input! I actually already have an idea involving said lioness. She's been around for a while, but I haven't used her in writing. See my above reply to Bannor for more details about her past. :3

But yeah, I plan on writing up something in the future that could turn into another Wishful Thinking series, but a bit more thought out.

haha yeah that happens to me, really interesting text I really liked it,

Hah! Thanks dude, I guess I finally hit something here with that story.