"We're at the state fair, and you're thinking about writing?" my sister-in-law asked, surprised. And I could see her point, given we were surrounded by farm animals, live bands, jumbo corn dogs, company displays and advertisements, balloon hats, face-painting, funnel cakes, kid crafts, art contests, a circus and various shows and performances.
"Absolutely," I answered. "I can't tell you how many times I've thought about writing today."
That's true far more often than it's not, because writing is a mindset and a love. It's an existence for me. As a writer, I am the writing.
It's thought over what I'll write next, what I'll share here on Something She Wrote, what would work for an article or flash fiction piece. It's the people-watching, character-building, wondering if so-and-so over there feels their path as strongly as I feel mine. It's idle talk about jobs and passions, realizing mine and who I want to be. It has to do with how I present myself, and how I perceive myself, how prepared I'll be down the line. About my dreams, my talents, my blessings and my hopes. Keeping my eyes and ears open to opportunity and potential, knowing every little observance and nuance and experience shapes my craft. You know?
So yeah, I was at the state fair, thinking about writing. It's a cycle. A ride, with ups and downs, elations and concerns. And just like the ferris wheel turns its circle, its cars returning to the same place again and again, my thoughts return to this writing I do.
How heavily do thoughts of writing weigh on your mind?
41 comments:
All. The. Time.
If my writing isn't at the forefront, it's at the rear, lurking. It never leaves. It's who I am.
I love it.
Blogger is acting up again. Posts are not showing up in my dashboard. It's so frustrating!
Anyway, I think about writing all the time. I can't get away from it. Honestly, I don't want to get away from it. :)
I think about it alot too. If not writing, then writing-related stuff. I think about my blog too. LOL!
btw, your post didn't come to my dashboard today. I saw your name on Jody's comments and figured I should check you out to see if you'd posted.
YOu might get it to show up if you republish it?
I tend to keep my writing calendar up on my computer at work. That reminds me to take breaks (writing breaks) and that I need to write during lunch. At home, during the commute to/from work or just travel in general I always have a pad and pen with me so I can write things down. Needless to say, I keep it bouncing around all the time.
Thinking about writing isn't a bad thing. It's just a sign that writing is in your blood. You should be proud of it!
Sorry to say, but thoughts of writting don't enter my mind much (well except when we're at the state fair and my sis-n-law gets hubby to take pics for writting. I wondered if this would end up in a blog!
I can see why writting is always something on your mind.
I am always collecting information and cateloging it for later:))
I think about it all the time. And the only thing I ever write are my posts. It gets in the blood though, doesn't it?
It's annoying at times, but as one writer put it, "I've always wondered what people who DON'T write do to entertain themselves on long car rides?" At least we can work anywhere, anytime, and never be bored!
Oooh, love your analogy today, Janna! And you summed up the writing mindset so well! I love that about being a writer! It's a passion!
Writing is always on my mind. Always. Either I'm "gathering" information and sights for a story, or I'm thinking about one I'm working on, or getting inspiration for a new one.
It's always flowing through me.
I'm always thinking in terms of stories, but I rarely connect it with writing. I'm constantly making up stories for people that I see, but I don't think I've ever written about them. Or maybe ONCE.
I feel like the black sheep writer!
Yep! I think about characters and stories all the time. :)
I spend 98% of my waking time thinking about writing, characters and stories. Unless I'm fishing. It is one of the few times I can concentrate on other things.
When I am reading, listening to the radio, TV, people talking, etc, and I hear or see a phrase that is interesting, over the top, funny, whatever it is, that catches me I have to write it down. I might get the chance to use it sometime. I have paper and pencils everywhere. I do transfer what is on those slips of paper to a file folder in my computer for safe keeping.
Not all the time, but most of the time. My family loves it when, at any given oddball moment, I'll giggle with glee and say, "Now that's a story!"
I love this, Janna. I'm constantly thinking about writing. When I can't physically sit at my computer, I'm thinking about my current story or possible blog post ideas.
Is it possible to think about anything without it being connected to writing?!
I can't figure out if I can't escape the thoughts or if they can't escape me. All the same, they are always with me.
This post reminds me of Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl (doing a review on my blog tomorrow).
~ Wendy
It is quite a ride, you're very right.
Oh my gosh, Janna! I was kind of doing the same thing Saturday morning... except... we were at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival Grounds (it opens Saturday, August 22nd)and I was thinking "Gee, I should take photos of what it looks like now, and then take photos when the public is enjoying it, and then do a compare/contrast piece." And then, I was privy to the cast meeting, and I was thinking I should go talk to the director, because there are some cool plans in the works for 2010, and so on, and so on. :D
Melissa - I love that it's a common thing among us. That though we're different and write in different genres, we've this tie.
Lazy Writer - Sheesh! I wish they'd fix it already. And I don't think I'll ever be rid of the thoughts, either. :)
Jessica - I guess for me, books and notebooks and all physical writing matter falls into the category, too.
Cel - I think I am! :)
Sara - *giggle* Who knew I was being so literal, eh? And then our coversation fit in so perfectly with the picture your brother got, I HAD to put it together for a post. :D
Terri - Yes, ma'am. Me too!
Debbie - There's nothing wrong with that! (And you should consider writing more than a blog.)
Stephanie - That's a great question!
Jody - Thanks! :)
Nadine - Some people might think it's a curse, but it's not.
Melanie - LOL!
JLC - Rock on.
Travis - What do you think about when fishing? Cuz I think that'd be a huge brainstorming opportunity for a writer.
Need More Words - Thanks for becoming a follower! And I'm that way, too. :)
Becca - Sounds as though they've come to expect it!
;)
Thank you, Heather! I think I've seen you around, and I'm glad you came by. :)
Donna - EXACTLY.
Wendy - I can't wait to see it!
Lori - Sometimes it's a good ride, others not so much.
Lynn - Awesome! Love the Ren Fest. So what role do you fill?
Janna, we were out there visiting friends. I don't participate at Fest, I spectate. LOL!
I'm always writing, unless I'm watching a movie in the theater. Arguably, I'm kinda thinking about writing there, too. I do enjoy manual labor, now and then, like fixing stuff; I don't think about writing then.
As I near 50 I came to realize that writing is all I think about when I am out and about. As they saying goes "No time like the present!
Lynn - I used to sing at ours, back in the day. But I'm like you, I like to spectate! In fact, it's been years; we'll have to take our girls this fall.
Natasha - My movie theater thoughts typically include I wish I could write a story like this, etc. ;)
Duke - That's a great saying, for sure. And thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
I actually DO have the thought, on occasion, that something would make a good post.
Sometimes I just can't write it like it really happened! Too crazy!
Other times, it comes out better than I expected.
And sometimes, God writes the post.
I did a "demonstration" at my Malaprops booksigning about how I must look to people sometimes, particularly my husband -
Me, staring into space completely unaware of my surroundings becuase i'm in my own head *laughing* --
I see in your post below you wrote something about your post going to email to readers? how do you do that? I've never received one of yours in my email!
Capri K - I find He does a lot of my novel writing. :)
Kat - Sounds like me! (Du-uuhhh.) And I guess I didn't mean e-mail, just notification through whatever reader my followers are signed up through. Does that make better sense?
Sometimes constantly, sometimes not at all. If I'm in the middle of a story that needs to be worked out, it's always kind of *there* in the back of my mind.
If not, not.
I live in Nashville and there are so many untold stories. Most of them have nothing to do with country music.
Since I started blogging I find that I'm always thinking about my next post. Some small thing will happen during the day which triggers memories of similar occurences and I immediately think...I can make a post out of that.
At my age writing is so therapeutic and it really keeps the brain cells alert!
Much the same as you, I'm afraid. RE: ALL THE TIME. :-)
Mostly it's not a problem, because I've learned not to discuss writing things with non-believers. But sometimes it happens, and I get an odd look.
Wendy - Well what makes sense. ;)
Duke - I bet!
Ayak - I agree; blogging can be such great exercise!
JKB - Good point. Non-writers just don't understand, most times.
Love the pic! And the fair...now I'm hungry for fries and elephant ears.
My brain is always tuned in for ideas. Always!
Hey girl, you got an award on my blog, go check it out!!
Jill - I decided on a new favorite this year: BBQ sandwich at the pork booth. Mmm...
Thank you, Sharla!
I have to remind myself to think about my writing on some day trips with my kids. I get so caught up in all the kid drama that I may miss some great material:)
I'm never not thinking about writing. Often my husband will look at me and say, "You're thinking about how to write this aren't you?"
Not thinking about writing would probably be like not breathing.
septembermom - Sometimes it's hard to deal with anything but the kids!
Deb - I think that's great, he's so tuned in. :)
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