Ten signs that you're a writer:
writerswrite.posterous.com- You constantly edit. Whether it’s while you’re driving down the street and pass a misspelled sign, or grammatical errors in Facebook posts, you fix errors constantly in your mind—and sometimes not so silently.
- You’re highly observant. And not only do you notice things all the time, but you file them away in your I could write about this later folder.
- You often ask, “How could I describe this?” You don’t ignore your life experiences—everything from walking outside during a torrential downpour, to burning yourself while cooking, to taking the first bite of a piping-hot homemade chocolate chip cookie can be used in your writing, and you often pause to think about how you would describe it in words.
- You have a hyperactive imagination. There’s never a dull moment in that head of yours—your imagination is always working on overtime to keep you entertained and give you fresh ideas.
- You feel inspired to write after reading a good book. Enough said.
- You often daydream about your WIPs. Your characters never completely leave you— they walk alongside you throughout the day and give you new ideas when you least expect it.
- You feel guilty if you haven’t written anything in a while. What a “while” is depends, but after a writing hiatus, a part of you begins to demand that you get back to the keyboard and reprimands you if you don’t.
- Grammar jokes are funny. Well, they are.
- You can’t get enough books. After all, every new book is a couple hours worth of inspiration.
- You keep doing this writing thing. It doesn’t matter if you’re not published, if no one else cares if you continue to write, if you don’t make a penny off of the words that you put on the page—none of that matters, because you’ll continue to write anyway.
“Maybe the best advice I can give is … don’t be afraid to write what you want to write. Don’t decide to write a serial killer book because they’re selling, or steer clear of a subject some readers might find objectionable. Once you’ve decided on the book you want to write, work intensely until it’s the best book it can be. Don’t be afraid to listen to criticism, but pick your critics carefully.”
—Charlaine Harris
Sometimes I party pretty hard.
I stayed out until very, very late because of John Hodgman’s That Is All book party at the Bell House. It was great fun, and I laughed my ass off, so it was well worth what’s going to be a brainshredding hangover. I crashed on a friend’s couch in Williamsburg, because I couldn’t handle the commute back home at 2 am. It would have cost me 2 hours (I’m guessing) or $60, so I couched it.
And that is why I am wearing the same outfit as yesterday.
Yes, officemates, you recognize this sweater from yesterday. I have showered, but yes, I am wearing the same skirt. And stockings. And everything. I’m a classy broad.
Notes from last night:
- Bar Tano is awesome and I wish I knew of its existence when I lived in Carroll Gardens.
- I am boy crazy right now. Forgive me for the next two bullet points. John Hodgman has cute friends.
- Everyone’s favorite pretend boyfriend Paul Rudd is silly and cute and super short. I wish he had not spent so much time wearing fake beards and wigs.
- David Rees is unstoppable hot. I don’t know if I’d ever seen him. Crush out, he is hot. And funny and weird. Side note, I always forget it is him that I am quoting when I say “I oughtta shoot your words” … which is something I say fairly often, and mostly to myself, under my breath.
- John Hodgman is one of my favorite people on not only this planet but several others. He is also much funnier and charminger than you would expect a deranged millionaire to be. I’m so happy for him that he’s finished his trilogy, the compendium of all world knowledge. It’s been a pleasure to follow this opus. I look forward to reading his guide to Ragnarok, which I do not plan on surviving.
- Ah yes, there’s the headache. There we go. Oh yeah. I’m squinting. Hurts. God, oh god, I have to edit some third grade math tests right now. Arrrgh.
