Writers are an eclectic bunch, heavily right-brained. We're hard to keep up with in conversation because our mind always has several different tracks connecting to the current topic at hand. To help you non-writing folks understand the pen-inclined people group that is writers, I've decided to wiggle my way into transparency and let you take a look at some of the daily thoughts that go through my mind. As an Editor in Chief of Cairn Odyssey, a six-time winner of National Novel Writing Month, and a novelist, I feel that I certainly qualify as a writer. So below I've listed several thoughts that I usually experience on a regular basis.
This song would make a really good soundtrack if my book ever becomes a movie.
I really like this meme but one of the words is spelled wrong so I can't repost it.
That woman's outfit is gorgeous. Maybe my character could wear something like that to the dance I have planned for the next chapter.
I wonder how much I can write today?
I just got hit with random lines for a poem and I know that if I don't write it down this second I'm gonna lose it.
WHERE'S MY PEN AND PAPER?
Dangit how did that one line go again?
..I just realized I'm staring at the guy sitting across from me the entire time I've been thinking about the next scene in my story.
This is awkward.
Should I try to smile or just look away awkwardly?
Definitely look away.
Man I can't wait to take a nap today and dream some epic adventures.
The secretary sat at her desk, fingers casually twirling a black pen around as her blue eyes scanned the screen in front of her.
That guy always has a toothpick in his mouth wherever he goes. It's kinda cool. Maybe I should make a character out of that.
Oh great. I'm talking with someone and they said a word that reminded me of this other thing with Missy and that reminded me of the time we were doing that ridiculous thing in class but now this person is completely away from that topic and I'm going to have to explain my entire train of thought if I say the really funny thing that was technically entirely relevant like thirty seconds ago.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
OHMYGOSH LOOK AT THAT PRETTY NOTEBOOK. I really want it. That is...if I didn't already have five notebooks I haven't used up yet. I really shouldn't get a new one. But...it's so pretty. I could use it for my steampunk notes.
I wonder if anyone else writes stories based on a song they heard?
I have made over 50 characters I really need to stop.
But they're all so cool and unique.
I'm never going to get to use them all, I should stop.
Oh hey that one commercial just gave me an idea for a new character!
I should write more anthropomorphic stuff like Hans Christian Andersen did. His stuff was cool.
Hah! This meme is a reference to that one writer. ...nobody else would probably get this.
I'm really bored. I wonder if I can find some of my old stuff to edit?
Oh my word this is hideous.
How did I ever think this was good?
What in the world was I THINKING?
Oh hey, this movie where only one person can see these invisible creatures of evilness feels really familiar.
...I think I wrote a story like that once.
I was doing that before it was cool.
Oh dear Lord I'm a hipster.
I'm still really distraught over that one character's death in this one book.
I just went on a full nerd-rant about a book, and yet this person is still talking to me. Alright, I have a nerd friend!
I really need to learn how to be evil. My antagonists are way too nice.
Maybe I could use the personality of that one person I know who I swear is always mad at me. They would make a decent villain.
...I really want to name this character Jake but I don't want my friend Jake thinking I named this character after him because I might end up killing the character. (repeat ad nauseam with various names)
You should not be allowed on social media if you spell that atrociously.
'U' is not 'you', and if you say 'fleek' one more time I'm going to scream.
Why am I crying right now this is not that emotional of a scene!
...my parents just laughed at me.
...yep still crying.
NO DON'T THROW THE CHARACTER DEATH BACK IN MY FACE THAT'S MEAN.
...wow that's actually ingeniously evil, I need to use that in my novel.
I'm gonna go to bed now because I want to lay in bed and think up the next section to my story as I fall asleep. It's a really good story.
...it's 2am. Why am I awake with a great story idea??
There you have it. Several thoughts that writers experience daily (though personalized to my own brain, thank you). I hope you've learned a few things. For instance, if someone is staring at you for several minutes, it's quite possible that they're just thinking of the next scene in their story. Or if you don't understand why your friend said something seemingly completely off-topic in a conversation, maybe now you'll notice that there could be a perfect explanation as to the connection (though the explanation might take a while).
Overall, us writer types are a peculiar bunch. But at least we're a fun group to be around!
