I'm a Writer Quirkaholic

I admit it. I'm a writer quirkaholic.

It's my new term. (Well, maybe someone else has used it before, but as of tonight, it's mine.)

When we were having our home study for Tully's adoption a few years ago, the social worker asked Andrew if I had any quirks.

(Oh, give my husband the chance to get started on my quirks...it's like opening the door to a stampeding herd of bison.)

Happy to have an attentive audience, he took the opportunity to explain that I:

1. don't share my pens
2. don't share my paper
3. do NOT lend out books (because I write in them as I read; they are part of my writing process; and I break spines, fold pages, and do other crazy things to books that other people consider sacrilegious; who would want to borrow them anyway?)
4. suffer from "writerhead" on most mornings (during which time I do not like to be spoken to, am still dreamy and happy to be so, and disappear into my office to work)
5. read all my work out loud (not in a whisper, but in a normal tone of voice, often sounding like a lunatic let out of the asylum as I ramble on and on and on)

Because of something I read earlier tonight (see Alexis Grant's blog post about Anne Lamott), I've been thinking about the writerly quirks I've developed throughout the years. Yes, they make things a little uncomfortable when I have to tell visitors they can't borrow a book during their stay (and, um, they can't even go into my office), but this is my work. I wouldn't go into my husband's office in his office building and rummage around in his stuff; I expect the same respect.

Back to the home study:

"Will you let your daughter borrow your pens?" the social worker asked after Andrew explained my quirks.

She was serious. This pen thing bugged her.

I was serious, too. "She'll have her own pens," I said. And I meant it.

But if it gets too bad, I promise, I'll go to Writer Quirkaholics Anonymous (where the spine breakers hang out).


Technorati Tags: Kristin Bair O'Keeffe, writing, quirks, adoption, Tully, home study, China

Comments

[Christina Katz]

This is good. You should take a poll on Twitter of other writers' quirks. Would be fun!

[Carla]

Stunningly beautiful new photo on your cover page! cjm

[Teresa]

Hi Kristin!
Great to meet you on Twitter. Some of my writer quirks:
1) I usually have to write on a computer, because I can type at the speed I think. No preferred location. I'm a mother of a two-year-old girl and I have a full time job, so I write whenever and wherever. Kitchen island while making dinner, on the couch while she watches Dora the Explorer ...
2) Pencil/paper is only for "non-serious" writing such as ideas, journaling, and thoughts. I use a BIC pencil #2 0.5mm, yellow legal pad, and I must be horizontal (lying in the bed).
3) My main sources of inspiration are art and poetry. I love to visit museums and take notes on what the art makes me feel. I love reading the best poetry I can find and just absorbing the language.
4) When I do have a long stretch of time to write, I like to make a big pot of green tea. I sip out of one of five Royal Albert teacups my mother gave me for my birthday. I also nibble on Le Petits Beurre biscuits which I buy 6 boxes at a time.
5) Last quirk - I am a huge fan of Google. I set goals for myself in Google Calendar and write in Google Docs (so I can access the work on any computer, anywhere). I set up search queries in Google Alerts when I am researching for a story. My husband says I love Google so much I should have married it.

[Laura at The Journal of Cultural Conversation]

Hi Kristin! Yes, I do have one - I must have Diet Coke handy at all times! It's mandatory :)

[Stacy S. Jensen]

I have a tendency to "steal" pens. When my husband and I recently bought a house, I officially announced it with We bought a house and I got two pens! (I sort of lifted the pens from the bank and closing agency, because I thought I should have a parting gift. I, of course, disclosed this so I received the pens with permission.

Watch your pens around me, I can never have too many.

[Fred Hatman]

I keep losing my pens. My quirk, however, is the obsession with trying to work the word "humungous" into whatever I am writing. That and "SA-positive". As in South Africa. My beloved country. Which I rave about in my blog. Please have a look at it. www.fredhatman.co.za ... I will follow yours... I hear Shanghai is wonderful and, er, humungous? Warmest, Fred

[Lindsay Price]

Oh I'm with you on the pen thing. Pens are serious. I like my pens. Good writing only happens when you have the right pen.

Of course, when I carry 7-10 (or 12... 14....) pens in my purse at a time, it can take me a while to find the right pen... :)