Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Psychology of a Writer

Once upon a time, I was normal. Life was routine, a line of dominoes falling one by one.

Then I chose writing as a career and my definition of normal changed.

Example:

In the process of cleaning our chimney, I was standing on the wood stove and had my arm up the vent. And I was stuck. I mean, my sleeve was caught on the bricks and I was dancing with the stove pipe.

First thought? Wow, this would be a great scene for a book.

Second Example:

The hubby smashed the ever loving sh** out of his finger using what we’ve nicknamed BFH--Big Fu**ing Hammer.

While driving to the ER, I ignored my beloved's moans and wondered how I could portray this in a WIP.

Question: How widespread is this malady? Are others ignoring peril (got my arm out with a few scratches and much cursing) and whimpering spouses (10K hospital bill) to formulate their next book?

I need examples please so I don't feel so alone.


14 comments:

  1. Several years ago my hubs was in the hospital with peritonitis. Near death, as a matter of fact. One of his nurses was a super-sweet bleached blond type who looked for all the world like she spent her waking hours helping her patients get closer to God, if you catch my drift. I was afraid to leave hubs alone with her. Even so, I took a lot of notes. Haven't used her in a book yet, but I know I will someday.

    So, um, yes. I choose to think this is normal behavior for writers. *grin*

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh yeah, been there done that upon numerous occasions. There's the awful dementor lawyer I met last summer, places I've been, pain I've felt - both real and psychological - and pretty much everything that's ever happened to me be it good or bad. All grist for the mill.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh sweet fellow author, you are not alone. But...with your self-diagnosed malady is this golden opportunity. Where else do we authors get ideas for our greatest works but by observing the world around us?

    You are just miles ahead of others and should feel a warm glow of satisfaction right about now ;-)

    ~Dawn

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think my wife would kill me if I wasn't totally focused on her at the time!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ha! I do this a lot too. I just don't tell my friends and family I'm thinking about putting such a scene into a story!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ha ha, i mean, ahem. poor guy.

    i write about stuff that happens here all the time. every week i think about opening a grocery bagging school. those people dont care that they throw cans on my bread! no common sense! ARGH!

    thanks for the outlet

    ReplyDelete
  7. I use my daughters traits and experiences in my writing. I feel it will connect with my target audience more, if it's genuine. My daughters suitors make for interesting tales. She is sweet, but uncomfortable when dealing with a guy whom she is not interested.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Poor guy but lol I think all writers do this to some extent!

    ReplyDelete
  9. @Linda
    Wow. Kinda horrifying, if I understand you correctly.

    @Marcy
    Amazing what we pull from out life, isn't it.

    @Dawn
    I don't know about the miles thing but maybe i'm closer to Crazyville.

    @Alex
    Hence not telling him.

    @Christine
    Alex! Take note :)

    @Tara
    I've used my mom's old house, a vacation home, and scenes from a popular TV show for my novels.

    @Miranda
    *groan* That is why I can't write YA. My kid is thirty. I have no one to use as a model.

    @Nicole
    OMGosh, I hope so. I'd hate to be the only one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry, but as a teacher I can't admit to using any of those physcho parents or students I've met in any of my novels.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm always trying to take moments and people I meet and shoehorn them into stories. I think it comes with the territory.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A writer's perspective of the world is definitely different.

      Delete
  12. Okay. I really, really, REALLY like this new format. Replying to individuals is simple. Love it.

    ReplyDelete

Your Turn. Don't Be Shy

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...