Writer Quirks

All writers write. But all writers write differently.

I went around and asked my lovely writing buddies about their most interesting writing quirks. And here they are. 

- - -

"I type faster and more accurately with only my right hand."
but my typing speed stands up to someone with two hands.

"I sweat and shake when I'm writing an emotional or intense scene."
and when I get really into writing, I rock back and forth without realizing I'm doing it.

"I clean the whole area before I write."
I usually write in my room, so I have everything put away and straightened before I sit down to actually write.

"I have to chew something while writing."
like gum, sweets, or a pen.

"I write better when it's completely dark."
with a dim computer screen. And black document with white text.

"I write my first draft without chapters."
I don't mean for this to happen -- I just lose track of words and scenes and before I know it the book is finished without any chapters.

"I type better if I don't actually look at what I'm typing."
embrace the typos.

"I like to sit in weird positions."
I haven't been able to (yet) figure out how to sit upside down on the couch with the laptop on my lap.

"Every time I write a good sentence or scene I have to get up and walk around because I'm so excited about it." 
Every. Time. And usually I go to the bathroom...

"I write better after I read."

"I have to be listening to stand up comedy..."
...and I write dark short stories and poems.

"I can't write well sitting."
I have to be standing or lying down.

"I talk to myself to brainstorm."
I'll open a document and have a chat with myself. Plot with myself against myself. Scream in all caps at myself.

"I steal pens."

"I hand write all of my books."



"I only listen to a few specific songs."
I'm able to forget that I'm listening to anything, then accidentally keep one on repeat for literally hours without noticing music is on.

"When I come to a character name that I haven't come up yet, I write something like [Name of That Idiot Jerk Dude].
Then I'll fill them in later once I actually come up with the name.

"I type with my eyes closed."
I like to picture the scene in my head and describe it with my fingers. Can't open my eyes to edit or anything because I'll lose the visual.

"I wrote more words the earlier it is."
When I was writing my first drafts, I'd wake up at 3am and work from 3 to around 7 to get the most words down.

"I tend to take on the expressions of the characters I'm writing while writing them."

"I usually can't write anything until around midnight."
I have to be really tired and basically ready to fall asleep at any minute before I can do anything productive.

"If I'm writing a really intense scene, I start talking as if I'm dictating it while I type."
It's weird.

"I have to be drinking tea."



"I've been told that I scowl at my laptop."
I think it's just the face I make when I'm concentrating, but apparently it's kind of unnerving.

"I either listen to really loud metal music or complete silence."
Depends on the day. It's weird.

"I write 97% of my novel with the help of word wars."
Lifesavers, I'm telling you.

I dance while writing occasionally.
Also, I cry when I write something good.

"I've noticed that I tilt my head to my right shoulder."
I leave it there until the momentum of the scene is gone or I start getting a crick in my neck... Whichever comes first. xD

"I always have a glass of Gatorade."

"Sometimes I'll sit on an exercise ball while writing."
And "attempt" to balance my laptop on my lap.

"I write faster when I am just slightly hungry."
I don't know why. xD

// katie grace

(thanks to my friends over at the Go Teen Writers Facebook page for sharing some of your writer quirks! <3)

(AND, the giveaway winner is Rosalie! Congratulations. :D)

Can you relate to any of these quirks?
What are some writing quirks that you have?