We’re Not Quirky, We’re Interesting!
My behavioral patterns tend to shock a lot of people, but never writers. When I say I haven’t stepped out of the house for weeks, or don’t remember what I had for breakfast in the morning, or say I’ve had a really productive day because I finally found proof that twins born to the same mother can have different fathers, most people look at me weird. A writer, on the other hand will say, “Yep, yep, I had a breakthrough like that last week when after two weeks of searching, I finally found the perfect name for my protagonist.” And then I get to hear cool things like,
“I can only write with black pen. Other colors give me writer’s block.”
“Is it weird that I have to write everything long-hand first on a piece of paper and then copy it to my computer?”
“I have to wear socks when I write.”
“I’ll be working all day and then at midnight, I’ll wonder if I’ve eaten all day, and it usually turns out, I haven’t. Thank God for my husband.”
“If I’m writing and someone calls, that’s it. I’m done for the day. I can’t write any more.”
“People think it’s weird that I see my characters as real people, and can have actual conversations with them in my head.”
“I used to write these really great pieces in my mind, too, especially when I was driving, and by the time I’d get back, I’d totally forget what they were. So I started carrying a voice recorder with me. Sure, people give me funny looks sometimes, but hey, I haven’t missed many moments of inspiration lately.”
“Yep, ideas in the shower are totally normal. Just ask my bathroom mirror and no-longer-in-fashion shade of lipstick.”
“I can’t write when there’s someone in the same room. I need to be completely alone. No, I’m not dating anyone… why do you ask?”
So come on out of lurkdom people, and share your quir… um, interesting traits. You won’t get weird looks here. Promise.
April 19th, 2006 at 9:29 pm
Hehe…how very true. Well, you’ve mentioned the ones that apply to me. I can’t write with anyone else is in the room (maybe even house?), unless….he’s asleep. I can stay up late at night writing with the bf right beside me, deep in sleep, tv on. If he’s home during the day I don’t even bother trying to write.
April 20th, 2006 at 12:23 am
So many, so true, except the part about alone. I love to write (longhand, laptop’s at home waiting to transcribe), but I often write at 5-points grill at a table by the window with people chatting and laughing coming and going for coffee and confections, or at Highlands Bar and grill at the noisy bar hemmed in by the loud crowd of social drinkers, my Martini and bread and herbed olive oil in easy reach of my left hand, as my right hand fills the pages. It’s a kind of white noise, and I find the focus I found as a kid in school writing my themes and essays while watching the TV or listening to the stereo.
Like your work.
Best to you
Perle
April 20th, 2006 at 3:06 pm
i so agree
with the not leaving the house for a long time
happen’s to me during screenplays…
April 27th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
I wish I could write in coffee shops or book stores. The book stores-forget it. I end up spending at least $50 every time I go. In coffee shops I’ll get comfy with my laptop and end up just watching everyone around me and not writing a word.
My wierd thing to do before writing is to clean like crazy. I can’t sit and concentrate unless the house is clean. (I think it’s more procrastination!)
May 1st, 2006 at 11:51 pm
April– how true! Putting ‘em to sleep helps in more areas than just writing though.
Perle– I’ve often wished I could do that. I love having people around me, but I lose focus so quickly with everything that goes on in the surroundings. I just end up observing people and the actual writing remains incomplete.
Satya– they don’t call me Hermit Khullar for nothing. Join the club.
Lisa– you’re the reason us non-cleaners get a bad reputation! STOP THE CLEANING! Right now!
May 3rd, 2006 at 12:18 am
I do my best writing in a parked car. I spend a lot of time waiting for my husband to finish his work day, which is often unpredictable. I’ve learned to bring my laptop with me.
If I am very productive at home, it is only because I cleaned my kitchen first. My kitchen must always be clean!
May 4th, 2006 at 7:45 am
No writing rules….except maybe….I need to be kind of broke, really tired, up against a deadline, have nothing left in the pantry I long to eat, and lots of rain or other bad weather helps a lot too….but other than that, no rules!
May 5th, 2006 at 10:21 am
Love this post! I sometimes feel really weird because I have strange habits and rituals around my writing. But you’re very right when you talk about the wonderful understanding us fellow writers have for one another. being naturally weird (not the fake “look at me1 I’m an artist” type of weird is okay. I need loud music when I’m writing, specific pens, snacks and if a phone rings or I hear people mumbling in the other room I LOSE IT! My brain tends to wake up at 12am ready to write (gets in the way when you have to wake up early for work the next morning). you got me thinking about all my odd requirments. (sorry about spelling)
May 6th, 2006 at 1:34 am
Katherine, I have a dirty, dirty kitchen. I know it’s probably hard for you to write knowing there’s cleaning that needs to be done somewhere in the world, and I totally won’t mind if you come by to do it.
LOL, JerzyGirl. You’re my HERO!
Chaka, look at me, I’m an artist.
May 11th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
Hiiii…..i think all the writers are one with different faces just like our secret being…..i also cant write when theres someone around…and i need a pen and a paper and then i just finish it off too soon….ad then i hate to type it..but i still do…then i would write soemthing entirely different from what was on the paper…but then i would read it again and again and my heart says yes..this is it!!!
but here no one understands that i need space to write….i’ll run away some day..it was great to read your blog….i’ll be back for more.
take care.
May 12th, 2006 at 2:24 am
Welcome aboard Rashmee. Stick around. I’m nice… usually.
As for running away, don’t. Just lock yourself in a room and don’t come out till you’re done for the day. Or tell everyone that if they distract you, they’ll be flogged with a wet noodle. Worked for me.
Good luck!
May 14th, 2006 at 7:49 pm
Hi Mridu…
i dont have a seperate room so cant help it…and i’ll have to relocate too bcoz that only will bring me closer to everyone and myself…
you are a cool one …and am like that too…so i’ll stick around for sure.
take care.
May 16th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
If I tell somebody what I’m going to write about I can’t write it.
Poems I handwrite, prose I type. My handwriting is such that I can’t read what I write.
May 17th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
When I was a journalist there was no choice but to bang away in the midst of chaos. However, now that I only pen a column, i need to lock myself up in my bedroom and bang away on the PC. A sudden quirk, I guess.
May 20th, 2006 at 11:36 am
Resource for Writers: Mridu Khullar’s Website and Blog
If you are a freelance writer who is trying to figure out the best way to create an online portfolio for potential editors to look over, or you need ideas for marketing yourself in a professional, yet personal, manner, check…
May 28th, 2006 at 11:59 am
What a wonderful list - I feel completely at home, Mridu. Perhaps I could share it with our group of writers in Dubai.
I have a few things that I like to do while writing:
1. Sit my feet folded under me on my favourite chair
2. Have a few slices of an orange from the fruitbasket usually kept full
3. Write a few emails in between to get the words flowing
4. Surf a few websites
5. I think the part about cleaning up makes a lot of sense - I think it’s not procrastination - cleaning and arranging things I think somehow focuses and ‘unclutters’ the mind. I do it too.
One that that throws me completely off track while writing is someone coming up and aksing me a question out of the blue - I just lose my chain of thoughts - and the high one gets while writing. Unless, of course, I try the much favoured writer ‘uhummm’.
farrukh
Co-founder - Creative Majlis - the creative people’s network
Dubai Chapter Coordinator - Caferati network of writers
May 29th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Nice! We’re not as alone in our weird habits as it may seem sometimes, eh? I’m guilty of most of the above, especially the very-much favorite response, “uhummm” except that in my case, it’s usually followed by a glare that says, “if you don’t leave NOW I will lose it.”
Farrukh, does Caferati have an Indian chapter that I (and many visitors to this website) can join?
June 14th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
thank you for your blog, it’s so nice
July 4th, 2006 at 5:18 am
Hi Mridu,
Caferati is based in India - it’s here:
http://bwc-network.ryze.com
farrukh
July 19th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
Before I can start to answer questions from readers or write articles on love and relationships I crossword. It helps my brain transition into thinking about words and lubricates my internal thesaurus.
It is nice to feel a sense of fraternity among us.