I asked you all to confess all the strange things you’ve done as a writer.
And you did not disappoint.
We all know writers are strange….so why did I even bother asking for more strange things writers are doing?
Because it was funny, that’s why.
So here are all of your entries of your adventures as a typical writers.
And some comments from me, of course. 😉
“Wrote story ideas on a receipt tape while I was at work (I’m talking CVS receipt lengths!)”
And CVS receipts are long enough to write a book on too! XD
“Asked random people in the grocery store how tall they are for character reference.”
Good for you for being brave enough to talk to strangers! I don’t know if I could do that. I just try to judge/guess people’s heights comparing with my 5’7″. 🙂
“Got my friend’s classmate in detention when their class argued on how to pronounce ‘Hans’.”
Um…wow.
“Written sentences like ‘Pax’s head was swirling with all this new and unnecessary love.'”
Lol #relatable XD
“Cable-tied myself up (then escape)”
I have a burning desire to see you escape from that.
“Learned how to splice cables/ropes”
Impressive. *nods*
“Jumped off a roof and free-climbed a cliff.”
Both of these just make me freeze with fear. (Jane, you are a brave soul)
“Learned martial arts.”
This is a fun one! 😀 I’m having to learn some kickboxing because of Skyracer.
“I made my own soy milk. And I don’t drink soy milk. It was for a novel set on Mars.”
Just the thought of soy milk makes me wanna just *suppresses gag* But, uh, good for you! #selfsuffiiency
“Acted out stabbing so it could be described correctly…without the knife, of course.”
It’s gotta be done.
Glad you did it without the knife.
“Acting out what my character’s actions while writing; i.e. fiddling with my cuff, rubbing my neck…”
I do the same thing! Not just when I’m writing, but when I’m reading too. 😀
“Made a makeshift dress out of… all my dress + a sheet. Then blindfolded myself..”
How did…you even…
Okay imma need to see a pic of that some day. 😉
“Googling odd and random things like what would happen if a person got knocked in the head with a fire extinguisher. ‘Cause why not?”
“‘Cause why not?” The most common phrase the writer says whilst Googling. XD
“Interviewed medical personnel on how to effectively slit someone’s throat.”
I just had to laugh at this one imagining what was going through those medical professionals’ heads. XD Please don’t call the police.
“Asked an acquaintance for pictures of them because they look like my character.”
Not awkward at all for that acquaintance, not awkward at all.
“I plan on taking a personality test for a fictional character.”
“Carried a torch on a night walk in the wood. (can’t actually see much)”
Huh, I would’ve expected to see pretty well with a torch… Well, thank you, Tessa, for clearing that up for me! 😉
“I visited Gettysburg once and took pictures of everything (literally) for a ‘future novel'”
Ah yes, going to the actual site of your novel’s setting is simply magnificent.
Well, if this didn’t convince you that we’re are too far gone for sanity then…I don’t know what will.
Honestly, a lot of these seemed pretty tame. XD I promise you we have more potential. 😛
So…another Coffee Talks is coming up soon, so submit any random questions for me to answer in it in the comments!
Strange things you’ve done as a writer? Questions for Coffee Talks?
30 Comments
“Acting out characters actions”… YES YES YES AND YES!!! I love acting, though, so sometimes I act to get a feel for what they might do, then get carried away and never write it down. XD I also have THE dumbest google searches. It’s nice seeing I’m not the only strange writer!! XD
I can see how acting would actually come in handy for writing tho. 😀 Yes, we are all strange! <3
My google search history: Names starting with… Names meaning… Last name generator… how to find agents…Matt Damon…lifeline meaning…synonym for…girl with pink and green hair…beautiful plants…injury from bird beak name…what are wolves afraid of…can wolves climb trees… XD The likes. Writers. XD
“…girl with pink and green hair…” The struggle of trying to find photos of unique-looking characters. XD
YES!!! And all my characters are what I call super unique and what my sister calls aliens. XD
Oh my gosh, I loved reading all these!! These are all so funny. I feel a bit relieved knowing I’m not the only one who does some of this. ;P
Pls do another post of this!!!!
Lol, I think I will! 😀
This is so fun! I know a bunch of writers (including me) who might have serious trouble with the authorities if they had to reveal their Google search history.
Hahaha ohhh the ways of writers. xD
We writers are a strange bunch. 😂
I once asked my sister if I could punch her in the stomach to note her reaction and to use in furthering the realism of my stories. She was not very enthusiastic about the idea, to say the least.
And another time, I was standing in my yard, dramatically acting out a heart-wrenching scene in my head when all of a sudden I heard my name. A couple feet away stood my neighbor, watching with a mixed expression of amusement and bewilderment. I almost had a heart attack! It was so embarrassing. 😂
Wow, this post really brought back the memories of weird things I did for the sake of my stories. Awesome post, Jenna! 😄
What else are siblings for? XD
Lol neighbors can be a problem for writers I guess. XD
Glad you enjoyed the post, Eden! 😀 <3
I think you probably really know you’re a writer when you’re reading all of the comments carefully for story ideas 😉 Some are coming to me already…
Lol that’s awesome! XD
I’m pretty tame at the moment when it comes to writing research, but I can’t say I will not be crazy in the future. 😝 This reminded me of a post Nadine Brandes did ages ago. She has done some crazy (and cool) things in the name of research.
This was so fun to read and totally what a writer would do. 😂
And questions…
I don’t know if you have answered this one before, but any tips on blurbs? What to do and not to do?
How to make great book titles?
And what is that short story I see there in the side bar?
Do not worry, your craziness will come. 😛 <3
Thanks for the questions! 😀
I am very impressed by the person cable tieing themselves, and strangely disappointed that toches don’t let you see too far. XD I have a nurse for a brother, so I always get to ask him all my weird medical questions. ;D This was really fun, thanks!
Yeah I know right? That is SO AWESOME that your brother is in the medical field! 😀 Thanks for reading!
As for questions, Miranda had some great questions that I am interested in, as well. Book blurbs and book titles.
And loved this post! I don’t feel like I have done anything too ridiculous in the name of research or writing, but I do like doing facial expressions or small gestures when reading or writing. 🙂
Probably a lot of writers do this, but I tend to think of ideas for my stories at night. It doesn’t mean I actually get up and write down the thoughts, but I just think about it for far too long and may even dream about it. Those are the nights that I get very little sleep, but they usually produce a fairly decent writing day. 😉
Glad you enjoyed the post, Hannah! 😀
I used to be the same way! I used to always keep a notebook by my bed and would literally write in the dark about my idea. Yes, it was hard to read the next day. XD
Okay, so apparently in my busyness I missed your last few posts and then sat down to read this one and laughed so hard… 🤣 All the folks acting out their stories makes me feel better about myself. 😝 Alone in my room I may go all out acting out every character… I’d be a good actor if I wasn’t so shy 😜
😀 Well, glad you had a good laugh, Kassie!
Actually one time I spent like twenty minutes saying characters’ names with an accent trying to find the right accent for my world.
XD It’s gotta be done.
I tend to express my characters’ expressions on my face.
Same! XD
These are awesome. XD
😀 XD
Oh, my goodness, these made me laugh out loud. I most relate with “acting out character’s actions,” both while I’m writing and while I’m reading. XD
And a question for Coffee Talks…
How do you pick what songs to put on your Spotify playlists for your books?
Loved this! 😊
I know right? XD
Thanks for the question! <3