We’re an Odd Lot

2008 August 26
by Dale Challener Roe

Over dinner this evening, I was chatting with a friend about eccentricities. It was his assertion—one I could not refute—that we writers are an odd bunch. Although we’re probably no more idiosyncratic than any other creative types.

But just for fun, I thought I’d continue Janie’s blog theme…

3 Oddities

List 3 odd things about your writing or writing habits.

1. I write, primarily, female characters.

2. When I write comedy, the narrator in my head has a substandard British accent.

3. While writing, I cannot listen to music to which I know the words…because I’ll sing along.

Your turn…

4 Responses
  1. 2008 August 26

    I share your third eccentricity Dale. When I’m concentrating on my writing, words are too big a distraction.

    Right, three odditites about my writing habits.

    1. I am very squeamish in real life, yet I have no problems with writing about gore and blood.

    2. When writing about characters for extended stories, I like to have a photo of the actor I would cast in the film version, to help me visualise them. So, for instance, Gideon in The Long Watch is Gerry Butler.

    3. Dale writes primarily female characters – the majority of my main characters are Scottish – talk about write what you know….

  2. 2008 August 26

    Hello Everyone,
    Dale I really like your article today and I used my answers for my writing prompt in my Blog entry today: Oddities About My Writing. I felt like I could have went on and on with this subject, but I really just wanted to answer the questions. Thank you for giving me something to write about today and think about for future writing!
     
    Enjoy Life!

  3. 2008 August 26
    Chris permalink

    1. I can’t use names of people I know or I will see them. And, along those lines, once a name is picked it belongs to the character. I can’t change it. I’ve tried. It doesn’t work.

    2. I have to have the internet up while I write. I know that it’s mostly for checking resources quickly, but it has become a compulsion. *sigh*

    3. Once a scene is written, I have to read everything aloud…very softly…to myself. I change, then re-read, change, re-read, change – ad nauseam. I love to see my character doing what they were created to do. That’s the reason I started writing in the first place; to glimpse in detail, the people running around in my head.

    Dale – 1. it is very interesting you write mostly female character. 2. I bet you’re a Monty Python Fan!? 3 Yes, no music!!! I too am carried away by the sound.

    Paul — Squeamish is not an oddity it is a way of life — spiders eeeeck. Gerry Butler, good choice!!

    Jeff – you’re too hard on yourself.

  4. 2008 August 26

    Love the posts here that I can respond to on my own blog: http://www.benjaminsolah.com/blog/?p=504

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