Skip to main content

Get On The Right Side Of The Paper

Happy Thursday Everyone,

A writer gets to his or her computer and starts typing away merrily, in a complete good mood and totally sane. Wait...what's wrong with this picture?

You're missing the part where the writer is trying to write before the first cup of coffee or perhaps the first bit of sugar hit (or whatever it is that jumps start an author into writing).

You're also forgetting the writer's block. Or the dazed stare at the blank screen with the blinking cursor.

You might have even forgotten the part where said writer is talking to his or herself in fragmented sentences "...yank from the cupboard...no, no, that doesn't work...jerked? Hmmmm....oh wait, I know!"

My husband has walked in on me doing that. He once walked into the room while I was editing and heard me talking to myself. He said "What?" I said, "I'm trying to figure out if this sentence is all right or if there's another word." He shook his head while I scrambled through my Dictionary/Thesaurus for the right word.

Just like people will say "Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?" You might wonder if a writer got up on the right side of the paper or if he or she went to the wrong side and that's why said writer is tearing their hair out muttering unintelligibly.

Or maybe the author is actually having a good day. Doesn't mean it's less of a spectacle: said writer (like me) might be sitting there going "Yes! Yes, that totally works! Oh why didn't I think of that in the first place?" Or maybe suddenly they got hyper and get this evil look in their eye, saying, "Aha, I get to torture my characters!"

Yes, we writers are known for our eccentric behavior. However, speaking as a writer, I actually like it. Eccentric is fun. It means you're quirky...a little odd, sometimes people might look at you like you're from outer space (or, like my mother used to say "Don't look at me like I'm Donald Duck!" I like that one...I've used that one on my own kid). But, it's part of who you are as a storyteller.

The thing is, without a writer's particular brand of eccentric behavior, you wouldn't have that particular story.

A writer might have 5 cats, 2 dogs, and 15 llamas, but without those 5 cats, 2 dogs and 15 llamas you wouldn't get to hear about "The Great Llama Escape"(--speaking purely for example purposes, that is. I don't know of a story called that or a writer with 15 llamas). In any case, you get the picture.

Each writer has his or her own little quirk that brings the spark of storytelling to life.

In any case, whether you're on the right or wrong side of the paper today, as long as it ain't illegal or immoral or unethical, I see no reason why you can't let your eccentric behavior manifest itself. Just cut yourself off at 5 cups of coffee. You're starting to shake.

Have A Timeless Thursday!

Comments

LOL! I love this - great post! Excuse me, though, 'cause I need another cup of coffee. :-)
Stephanie Faris said…
I don't know what eccentric behavior I engage in, but I'm sure there's something!
Bethany said…
Shannon,

Just make sure you don't exceed 5 cups LOL
:-)
Bethany said…
Stephanie,

Maybe your man could tell you. Men usually notice eccentric behavior in their women. (My husband does!) :-)

Popular posts from this blog

Get Thee A Nom De Plume!

Good Evening One & All, Shakespeare wrote in Romeo & Juliet, "What's in a name?...A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Disney talked about names in Aladdin in the lyrics, "Better get a nom de plume ." (the song, "One Jump"). So, for a writer, what does a nom de plume (or, pen name) say about the author? It could be a different spelling of the author's name, it could be a name that has a significance. They could keep their first name, but change the last, or change both. A pen name is also the name a writer will write under for his or her books. The name that his or her readers will recognize them. The name on the autographs and the one where people will say, "Oh yes, that's so and so, they wrote..." Some authors write under their own names. Others, for a variety of reasons, choose a pen name. What about you? Are you considering a pen name? What have you looked at when thinking of your nom de plume ? For myself, I&

Gregori Celebrates My Birthday

Happy Tuesday All, ****CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**** In honor of my birthday (that was on Oct. 15th) I am doing TWO give aways! The FIRST one is TODAY!  Today's give away is a copy of Kerrelyn Sparks' Sexiest Vampire Alive . Kerrelyn, being the awesome person that she is, has agreed to give a signed copy of the novel to ONE lucky commenter on my blog. Here's how it's going to work and please read all instructions CAREFULLY. ONE entry PER person : If you choose to email in your entry: Email to this email ONLY .  Your email should state who your favorite vampire is. And no, it does NOT have to be one of Kerrelyn Sparks' characters, but that would be really cool if you DID mention one of hers. If you choose to enter by commenting on my blog: Leave your FIRST name, email address, and what vampire is your favorite. It can be ANY vampire--but like I said, it would be really cool if you mention a Kerrelyn Sparks' vampire. You don't know Kerrelyn Spa

Fangs and Mistletoe

Happy Wednesday All, Congratulations to Sarah K. who won the Tess St. John giveaway. Please confirm receipt of the email I sent you to claim your prize! ****KERRELYN SPARKS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED . Thank you to all who particpated. A special thank you to Kerrelyn Sparks for providing the prize.**** Merrily the December Days Blog Giveaway keeps going! ***THIS GIVEAWAY IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED. It was closed on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 10:30 p.m. Central Time per the giveaway details. I am no longer accepting entries to this giveaway*** If you haven't had the fun of reading a Kerrelyn Sparks paranormal romance, then you're in for a treat. Kerrelyn is offering to one lucky winner a signed copy of her fun and fangtastic novel, All I Want For Christmas Is A Vampire: Toni's friend is in the hospital going on about vampires. Toni will prove her right. But can she resist Ian's charm, in spite of his fangs? As always, the book is full of Kerrelyn's wit, ro