Q is for Quirks

Quirk – noun – a peculiar behavioral habit.

Writers are an odd bunch. A club I embrace wholeheartedly.

Part of the time we live in a fantasy world within our head, voices chattering at us trying to get our attention to tell their story. Other times we are frantically writing (or trying to write) those stories down as quick as we can for fear of losing them into the abyss of blackness we call writer’s block.

As most of you know, I have a notebook addiction (some of you may not view it as a quirk, but I do). I write better when I sit at a computer and type. My fingers can keep up, for the most part, with the thoughts that pour out of my brain. But I do carry a notebook everywhere because when that stray voice starts talking to me, and I’m not next to a computer I write frantically, fingers cramping to capture those thoughts before they disappear.

Sometimes I will be driving Liz to or from riding. Last year we drove to the barn twice a week, about an hour each way. She would listen to her music or watch Netflix. In my semi-solitude, I will start asking my characters questions and start trying to figure out the conflict they are having. Suddenly I will be 10 minutes down the road with no recollection of having got there. I have to wonder, how much distracted driving is really writers in cars.

I have another quirk. I’m sure many writers share it. I’m a people watcher. I often find myself asking questions about people I see. I wonder how they got their hair so tall? Did they look in the mirror before they left the house? That guy would make a great ax murderer in a book don’t you think?

Do you have a writers quirk you embrace? It would great to hear from you.