Monday, March 19, 2012

Writerly Quirks...

When I write, I have to have complete silence, except for my music of course. I can't be distracted, which is why I like to be away from things like the T.V. I can't always have my way, though. Also, I'm a stationary whore. I have certain pencils that I like, notebooks, folders, etc. I'm pretty adamant about what I get and half the time I don't use them, lol!

Lately, I've been talking to people and just kind of chit-chatting and a couple of them got on the subject of journals. One lady said she was hoping her journal she ordered online got to her in time as it was for a friend. He was almost done filling one and she wanted to make sure he had another so he could continue. "He's a writer, you know," she told me. No, I didn't know, but hey whatever floats your boat.

Another girl told me that she knew a woman who would only write in a certain type of journal and when she discovered they were no longer made, found one similar to it and bought five dozen!

Wow.

I know we're a strange lot, we writers. But I didn't think really know how far quirkiness went.

So what are your quirks when writing? Do you have to have a specific brand of paper? Pencil or pen? Maybe you can only write at midnight? Tell me, I'd like to know!

Have a great week everyone! I'll see you soon.

10 comments:

Joseph Lallo said...

I've got a few quirks. As a lefty who was never taught to write in the proper lefty manner, I have a short list of pens I can use that don't end up in smudged writing and black stains on the side of my hand. As such, I tend to have a stockpile of the trusty Pilot P-500 (Extra Fine) pens.

Other than that, I have the tendency to keep a legal pad or steno pad next to me, and when I get stuck, I start writing on that instead of the word processor. It usually lasts for about 3 sentences.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I fairly easy when it comes to writing. I can write in a notebook or on my laptop, and I can do it with both the TV and music in the background. Can't quite play my guitar when writing though...

Unknown said...

It must be quiet. I've got to be facing a window... somehow that makes me feel like the inspiration is able to flow better. lol Great post.

Angela Brown said...

Personal quirks can be pretty interesting. I find that jotting notes about a story idea on Post it notes is a must. I'd say it's because I'm at work when some things just hit me, but there's other paper here too and Post it notes just feel better.

Silly, I know.

Angela Brown said...

Personal quirks can be pretty interesting. I find that jotting notes about a story idea on Post it notes is a must. I'd say it's because I'm at work when some things just hit me, but there's other paper here too and Post it notes just feel better.

Silly, I know.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I like writing in little journals and have about a dozen on hand, but it doesn't matter what brand. I can't write in my office, though. I need to take myself away from the computer and sit on the couch or at our dining room table. I often say I am a distraction onto myself.

Mel Chesley said...

@ Joseph ~ OOh a lefty! Yeah, I can imagine you might need smudge free inks.

@ Alex ~ Come on, Alex. You're so talented you could play guitar while you wrote if you tried! JK. :D

@ Vanessa ~ I'm sort of with you on the facing the window thing. I like being able to look out... dunno why...

@ Angela ~ Post It Notes RULE!

@ Diane ~ I don't mind writing things down by hand. Sometimes that's the only way I can get through a block. Otherwise, I have to be at the computer all the way.

Thanks for sharing, you guys. I love it! And I don't feel all alone in my quirky little world. XD

Anonymous said...

No quirks here - which is weird in itself because I have OCD.

Unknown said...

I listen to Iron Maiden when I write - I've conditioned myself to be more productive when they're playing.

Also, your thing with stationary? I'm the same with notebooks.

The Owl Wood said...

BIC biro and scruffy pad for those wake-up moments at night, laptop for all else away from people.

My handwriting is so appalling that I often have difficulty deciphering anything I woke up and wrote in the middle of the night!