but I am not a writer

Part of my self-image has always been "I am a reader, not a writer". Unlike the authors who talk about their need to write/life long habit of writing at any opportunity in the introductions of their books, I have never really felt that. I resented the high school teacher that required us to spend 5 minutes at the start of class writing in a journal (that she promised never to read--the point was that we spend time writing something, anything, daily--mine was only totally illegible complaints that I didn't want to waste the time writing, which was tossed into the can the second the course was over).

Unlike the writers whose books I enjoy reading, I don't have millions of story idea in my head, clamouring to get out. I just want to read good stories, and when I find one I like, to read it again and again, and again (interspersed with other books I like, of course).

So why did I wake up this morning thinking of Anne of Green Gables, and wondering what would have happened if Anne had been put to work helping with outdoor farm chores from as soon as she was able to walk? If, instead of heading upriver to the mill to care for babies when her first foster father died, she had been sent to another farm without sons who needed a strong worker? Where her immigration was what kept her going through hours of hard physical labour, following the plough, chopping wood, mucking stables. If, when Marilla said "No. We want a boy to help Matthew on the farm. A girl would be of no use to us." Anne had replied "Oh, but I am ever so good at farm work! I can plough and harrow, shear the sheep, and chop the wood. I have been mucking out the stable since I was tall enough to hold a shovel, and when I mend a fence, it stays fixed"

I can't help but think it would be fun to take the books, and, for the first bit, keep other people's initial words and reactions the same as in the original, but instead let Anne respond as would a late 1880's girl who has been raised to do a man's work on the farm, and then see where it goes.

But with what time? I am way behind where I want to be on the data processing that needs doing so that I can finish the paper I am working on, and that really needs to be published as soon as possible, so that I have another publication under my belt so that I can try to apply for funding so that I can keep doing interesting research. And the house needs work, and the hobbies are calling, and...

Perhaps if I am super lucky, someone will see this, and decide to write it for me, and I won't have to. (Hey, a body can dream!)