After a decade or so of doing this writing thing, I’ve decided that writers are a unique lot. We’re kind of weird, wouldn’t you agree?
Recently I noticed some of my own quirks and thought I’d write them down.
But, certainly, these can’t just be truths about me, right? Certainly, you guys who write deal with the same stuff, right? I’m not the only one, am I?
You tell me if you’ve noticed the same things:
- You always notice the typo AFTER you click send or publish.
- What you do is simple—write—but nobody really understands what you do.
- You have one word that you’ve written 8,000 times and never once spelled correctly on the first try.
- You’re routinely approached by friends and family to “read this [200 page manuscript] over and tell me what you think.”
- Seeing your name in print makes you a little giddy. Admit it.
- You have one crazy book idea so “out there” that you’re embarrassed to admit it.
- Nobody you know can type as fast as you.
- You don’t really know a lot about grammar, though you pretend to.
- When you read bad writing, you know it’s bad writing, though you usually can’t explain why.
- You still remember the first person who said you were a good writer.
- Half the time you spend “writing” is staring at a blank page or words you’ve already written.
I know there’s probably 100 of these that I’m just not thinking of right now, but that’s a good start.
What are some of your quirks as a writer?
