If you haven’t watched the Netflix series Stranger Things, seasons 1 and 2, I strongly urge you to clear your social calendar, stockpile food, close the curtains, wrap yourself in a warm blanket, clutch a large cushion (to hide behind during scary bits) and binge watch it all.

For those who haven’t experienced it, Stranger Things is an American science fiction-horror TV series, set in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s.

It focuses on an investigation into the disappearance of a young boy, amid supernatural events occurring around the town. The series features a group of boys searching for their missing friend, a girl with psychokinetic abilities, the local police chief, members of the missing boy’s family and a portal to an alternate dimension called the ‘Upside Down,’ 

This quirky series blew my creative mind and I haven’t been the same since.

If you have watched it, here are the reasons why my writer’s life feels like Stranger Things:

1. The Upside Down is a strange and dark alternate dimension, filled with mystical powers, weird occurrences, creepy stuff and monsters. This place feels pretty similar to my writer’s life; another strange alternate dimension, where the act of writing often feels like a mystical power and where weird / unexplained stuff happens when I write. It’s also inhabited by scary monsters who live inside my head and do their best to get in the way of my dreams and make me go hide under my bed.
2. One of the many reasons why I like Stranger Things is because it is full of characters who are intense, geeky and a little peculiar. If you asked me to describe myself as a writer I couldn’t find three better words. Sigh!
3. A key theme running throughout Stranger Things is about embracing your weird side. Since I became a writer I have embraced my weird side in a BIG way. If you are a regular reader of BlondeWriteMore you will know that I have covered mythological creature dating tips and advice on how to take your imaginary characters shopping.
4. Stranger Things has a strong 80s theme running through it. The soundtrack is basically my writing playlist.
5. In Stranger Things there is a good mix of humour and horror. In my writing life there is also a good mix of humour and horror, I only have to glance at one of my old drafts to feel the blood drain away from my face or to erupt into a fit of hysterical laughter.
6. One of the great show quotes is ‘mornings are for coffee and contemplation,’ which is spoken by Police Chief Hopper. As a writer this quote sums up my creative mornings perfectly.
7. One of the main themes in Stranger Things is friendship. It’s about finding your crew, working together and supporting each other through the dark times. This for me is a huge part of my writing life. I am so grateful to all the people who support me on a regular basis.
8. In Stranger Things there are lots of what I call, ‘WTF is happening here?‘ moments. The plot threads are so quirky and quick to change that you spend a lot of time scratching your head and looking dazed. This is pretty similar to my writer’s life which is also filled with LOTS of ‘WTF is happening here?‘ moments. On the draft I am currently writing these moments are becoming regular occurrences.
9. In Stranger Things fairy lights are used to communicate with the Upside Down. Given the communication struggles I am having with certain characters in my current draft I think I am going to rig up some fairy lights 🙂

Have fun out there writers!