Writers aren’t always what they seem. They may appear rather ordinary and unobtrusive on the outside. But if you were to actually get inside the mind of a writer, you’d be surprised at what you’d find!
When you see a writer jogging down the street with headphones on and lips moving, you might assume that she’s singing along to her playlist. Chances are she’s role-playing the next scene in her novel.
When you see a writer sitting in church taking furious notes, you might think she’s super spiritual and an eager learner. Chances are she’s finally figuring out her character’s spiritual arc and busy plotting out how God will impart those sermon truths into her character’s life.
When you see a writer staring at the sunset, you might think she’s admiring nature. Chances are she’s trying to figure out how to describe the sky and the sun and the colors so that she can use it in a book.
When you see a writer trip and fall down a set of stairs or accidentally cut herself, you’ll probably assume she’s embarrassed or hurt. Chances are she’s thinking about how the pain feels so that she can write about it more realistically.
When you see a writer engrossed in reading a novel, you might guess she’s swept away by the story (and many times that’s true!). Chances are that sometimes her internal editor is wrecking havoc with a mental red pen and she’s counting how many times the author has over-used the word “smirk.”
When you see a writer smiling and nodding at her child after being interrupted during writing time, you’ll likely assume as a good mother she welcomes the break. Chances are she has no clue what the child is saying and is instead still lost in story-land.
When you see a writer’s husband at the library carrying out stacks of books with titles such Women’s Hairstyles in the Middle Ages or The History of Undergarments, you might assume he’s an odd duck. Chances are he’s picking up books his writer wife has put on hold.
When you see a writer sitting at her desk sipping coffee and munching on German chocolate from Aldi’s, you’d naturally assume she’s taking a rare break to garner fuel for an intense bout of writing. Chances are she’s already taken a dozen trips to the coffee pot and only written half of what she needs to.
When you view a writer’s internet history and see articles like “How to Poison Wine” or “What Herbs Are Lethal” you might assume she’s a psychotic killer. Chances are that she’s researching how her villain can kill off another character.
There you have it! Not that I’ve personally experienced any or all of the above. 😉 Next time you see a writer, be forewarned, not all is as it appears to be!
Writers, what do you have to add to my the list? And readers, do we sometimes surprise you with our oddities? 🙂
Jody Hedlund
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When you see a writer scribbling frantically on a dinner napkin, grocery receipt, toilet paper, or in the dust on the hood of her car, you might think she’s been kidnapped and is leaving clues for the police. Chances are, she’s just figured out how to solve the big dilemma of her book and she’s afraid she’ll forget if she doesn’t write it down.
Great list, Jody! You pretty much covered all the bases…made me laugh!
Haha! Yours cracked me up, Deb! Love it! 🙂
Jody, I needed a laugh to start my day (husband in bad car wreck yesterday), and this post provided it. Nothing to add but will be checking back to see what others think of.
I’ll be praying for healing!
Oh No, Robin! I saw your post over on Facebook and am SO glad that he is alright! What a very scary thing to experience!
Great post
Great list, Jody! I wish my after-church scribbling was sermon-related, but sometimes church is the first time all week my mind has slowed down, and I’m hit with all kinds of ideas that distract me from what’s happening on the altar.
LOL love this!
Coming from a reader’s (not writer’s) POV, this was quite hilarious!! I never knew writers were always frantically scrambling around to scribble down their latest ideas. Thank you for this post!
When you sit next to a writer at a dinner party and she starts asking pointed questions about your career, you might think she is just being polite and pretending to be interested. But really, she’s picking your brain because her hero is also a member of an elite SWAT team and you have just become her go-to “source”.
Great post, Jody 🙂
Writers are very creative and gifted to seize every moment and turn it into a wonderful story.
When, as a veterinarian, a nearby pew-sitter asks if a rabbit would eat [can’t-remember-what-strange food now] and you look at her as if she’s lost her mind, it’s just research, baby!
Fun post, Jody!
Author’s surprise the heck out of me all the time. Love reading.
These are so true! I once made the mistake of telling someone from church that I struggle with concentrating during the sermon. They nodded and said they had the same thing when they were distracted by thoughts about the past week or what they were going to do next week. I just nodded, all while thinking, “Um, that’s not quite what I meant. You mean you aren’t distracted by a character’s spiritual journey and how to connect it to the plot when the minister does a sermon with a similar theme to the one you’re writing about?”
I’m also rather thankful my mom is in the medical field. I can ask her questions like “Where can I stab someone without actually killing them?” without having to type that into Google.
You are indeed blessed that you can ask your mom those kinds of questions! I have some friends in the medical field and I’m always afraid they won’t quite believe my strange questions are “all in the name of research.” 😉
Love it Jody! And Deb! I am both artist and writer and my husband lives with a permanent deer in the headlights look on his face. I used to draw pictures on my dinner napkins now I write names, places, thoughts AND pictures. So when you meet a writer and she says, “I love your name!” She will probably be putting it in a book.
I’m glad that author friend, and fellow admin., for The Christian Storytellers Facebook group posted this fab article. It’s my first time here, but certainly not my last, as I’m now following you. Both as an author of faith fictions and nonfictions, I was blessed and happy to see that what’s true for me is part of other authors reality.
Welcome, Paula! Thanks for stopping by! This is a very fun place to hang out! 🙂
So true and so funny! After losing all the bits and papers I used to write ideas on, I carry a small spiral notebook with me. You hit on so many areas that I have experienced! I love coming here!
What a great insight into the ways of authors. Thanks Jody!
Wow. This so made me laugh! VERY true!!! 🙂
Have you been spying on me, Jody? All of these are true of me. But this one is a dead ringer: “When you see a writer sitting in church taking furious notes, you might think she’s super spiritual and an eager learner. Chances are she’s finally figuring out her character’s spiritual arc and busy plotting out how God will impart those sermon truths into her character’s life.”
Wonderful post!
When you see a writer grab her notepad during the middle of worship and stand scribbling instead of focusing on the music and worshipping, you may think she’s rude and has no respect for church. Chances are, she’s trying to capture the words and thoughts pouring through her mind that worshipping God has actually inspired.
Love! What a great way to express the oddities of a writing brain!
When an writer is sprawled on the floor you might think they’ve fallen and can’t get up, when really they’re checking the texture of the carpet on their cheek and the view from a new perspective.
When you suddenly come upon a writer who gasps and flushes, you’ll likely apologize for startling them, when really, you very nearly caught them dancing with an imaginary man.
I love this post and everybody else’s comments! It really made me smile 😀
Oh, I just love this! ‘Tis quite the perfect description of a writer’s life :D.
Too funny! Definitely did number 3 with the storm clouds this evening. 😛 And guilty of these on every other day of the week! Fun post!