Writing Quirks?

[Reddy Dean]

What quirks do you have? Me, I have to have a tall glass of Kool-Aid (preferably strawberry or watermelon cherry) when I'm writing or else I'll be in a pissy mood. Characters tend to die in this mood...

[RaineDrop]

lol that's funny. I have something like that. I have to write every initial idea and draft out on paper with a very specific smooth rolling pen and the right size notebook. If I don't have my favorite pens then my handwriting sucks, and for some weird anal reason that matters.

I'd kill for a pitcher of ice cold Kool-Aid right now. I can't remember the last time I had any of that stuff.

[J.P.Clyde]

I too if I'm writing on a notebook, it has to be a specific pen that rolls on the paper nicely. If it isn't gliding I'm not comfortable.

For when writing on the computer I must at all times make a playlist. I need mood music for a scene or the scene doesn't come out right.

[Arvik]

If I'm making notes/pondering, I have to do it in a very specific type of notebook. Specific size, spaces between lines, etc. Pens don't matter as much for some reason.

When I'm doing actual writing, it's on the computer. And there, I suppose my main quirk is that I hate being interrupted. As in, I tend to foam at the mouth when a family member comes in with a question or "just to see how you're doing." Now I have a sign on my door warning them when I'm writing. Much safer for everyone!

[Redlorry]

I don't have any quirks persay, but I do like to have peace and quiet if possible no music, no telly etc.

[Writing.Geek.]

For some reason, I usually have to write in a certain position. If I'm laying, I have to make sure I'm comfortable, if not, I'll get frustrated and the scene won't come out right.

If I'm sitting, my laptop has to be in a certain position, and I have to be aligned to it in a certain way or I'll get frustrated again, and won't be able to write the story until I'm comfortable.

Arvik, you're not the only one. When people call me (on the phone) I get so frustrated, or if they start talking to me when I'm writing, I always get a little angry. People don't understand the complexity of the atmosphere when you're writing!

Happy Writing.
-WG

[Redlorry]

Good point WG, if I'm writing with pen and paper I have to be lying on my stomach, on my bed, in utter decadent comfort, warmth and PJ's. If not I can't do it.

[Writing.Geek.]

Yeah. Its's hard to write if you're not comfortable.

Sometimes I even need to write at a certain time, or else it won't come out right.

[JBStone]

Are these quirks our ideal situations, or do they actually hinder us? For all I say about wanting the idea situation--night, near a window, a little chilly--I've written on a train, and in between calls at work where it's always too warm, and by hand in various notebooks when my computer fried.

I wonder if we should take ourselves out of our comfort zone every once in a while, you know, maybe to remind ourselves that we're artists, and that we can do our thing hanging from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, if need be.

[Reddy Dean]

Originally Posted by JBStone

I wonder if we should take ourselves out of our comfort zone every once in a while, you know, maybe to remind ourselves that we're artists, and that we can do our thing hanging from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, if need be.

Sometimes I think that as well, but I don't believe that an artist has to do really weird/different things to come out with something beautiful. The people that brag to me that they do these quirky things are very arrogant, and more often than not they're shitty writers anyway.

Not talking about you. haha Just a mini rant about several people I know in real life...

[JBStone]

Originally Posted by Reddy Dean

Sometimes I think that as well, but I don't believe that an artist has to do really weird/different things to come out with something beautiful. The people that brag to me that they do these quirky things are very arrogant, and more often than not they're shitty writers anyway.

Not talking about you. haha Just a mini rant about several people I know in real life...

Yeah, exactly, that's what I'm saying. I'm sure people have preferences and ideal situations, but I think if you were sweltering on a train with no air conditioner and lousy food for a week, you, at some point, would write. I think, anyway.

[Arvik]

^ Very true. At some point the compulsion overcomes the quirks. Ideal situations aside, when you need to write, you'll find a way.

[Writing.Geek.]

Everyone has their 'preferences' of where or when to write.

I've written early in the day when I have an idea in my head, rather than at night, but I prefer to write at night.

[RoryAnthony]

For me it's usually at night with some form of heavy metal music on, preferably Iron Maiden, but Megadeth will do as well.

[Reddy Dean]

I've tried countless times to listen to music while I write, but I just can't do it. The closest I can get is listening to some Red Hot Chili Peppers, but if it's too loud I'll get too into the music.

[Gwyndolin]

For me, it doesn't matter where, or what part of the day. I can't do it very well with music or T.V. on, but I will if I must. I bought a tiny laptop so that I can carry it with me all the time. It fits in my purse. For me, it's worth its weight in gold. It's what I like to work on, but with that said, I can write on any computer and then email it to myself, or on paper, if there's no computer available. I don't do too well on paper, though, because my writing is too slow, and I can't keep up. I type around 90 WPM, which I rely on to keep up with my thoughts.

[J.P.Clyde]

Originally Posted by Reddy Dean

I've tried countless times to listen to music while I write, but I just can't do it. The closest I can get is listening to some Red Hot Chili Peppers, but if it's too loud I'll get too into the music.

Maybe try atmospheric music.

Like

Elend

Nox Arcana


Ophelia's Dreams

Abandoned Toys

[Reddy Dean]

I have. It doesn't work. *shrug*

[J.P.Clyde]

Originally Posted by Reddy Dean

I have. It doesn't work. *shrug*

Sometimes. When we write. It feels like life or something "spiritual". Maybe you need to have a "spiritual" experience with other forms of art as well.

Have a conversation with music. Spark up a talk back and forth with a painting or form of digital art.

Art talks. Listening is key.

[Chazzhart]

My usual spot is on my front porch with a cup of tea and a pack of smokes by my side (yeah quitting that habit would be benifical, but it's just not happening at the moment.)
None of it is about comfort, although the couch out there is comfortable enough, but it's winter here! So I normally have to sit out there all rugged up with socks, slippers and my big eskimo coat with a hood on it.
I guess I just like the fact that it's outdoors.

I can usually write anywhere though. I have a little eee pc that I prefer to type on so I can take it wherever I like.

I usually come up with my best ideas when I am driving though.

[Writing.Geek.]

Why do you like the outdoors, Chazz?

90WPM? How can you type that fast, Gwyndolin?

[Gwyndolin]

Originally Posted by Chazzhart

I have a little eee pc that I prefer to type on so I can take it wherever I like.

Lol! That's what I have, that I said I can toss in my purse.

That's kind of creepy. You use Word on that? Cause mine won't hold windows - that's why I have to convert my stuff to the Word format.

Originally Posted by Writing.Geek.

90WPM? How can you type that fast, Gwyndolin?

You're going to laugh at me....

My dirty little secret is that I'm a gamer. I learned how to type fast playing Everquest. I'm a closet nerd. Although, I pretty much gave it up for writing, because I really don't have time for both. My husband and daughter play World of Warcraft now, instead. I played it for a bit, but I don't have time for it these days.

[Writing.Geek.]

Ah. Yeah, it's hard to game and write together. You have to dedicate a day to one or the other. I gave gaming up too, to write again.

[Gwyndolin]

Well, that's where I learned to type fast, because I'm so dang chatty, but in order to keep up with the action, I had to say the things I wanted to say super quickly.

[Rei]

Although I can do without it, which is good because it's messy and expensive, I like to write with a nib pen.

[RaineDrop]

90WPM ain't nothin :P We had this typing class in 7th grade, and I was clocked at 114WPM after my first test.

[Writing.Geek.]

Wow, that's fast.

How can you type that fast?

[J.P.Clyde]

When you type a lot, you can pretty much type fast. On a good day 100wpm, on a bad 90 wpm.
My back tends to hurt if I sit in the computer chair for to long that's a bad day.

[Writing.Geek.]

If I start to type too fast, I start to make mistakes. Then it takes me time to go back and fix those mistakes. So, I generally type slower.

[Gwyndolin]

Yeah, I can type faster if I really try, but then my hands and wrists hurt from it. Also, that's what I clock at when I take a type test, but I'm sure it's faster if I'm typing my own words.