Sunday, July 7, 2013

A Not-So-Crazy Writer

In the wee hours of the morning before the birds and the bees are at ‘it,’ I sit at my desk (the kitchen table) to write. But before I do, my wrist watch comes off, my tea is made and placed in its rightful spot beside the computer mouse, and if my fingernails I so desperately wish looked like that of magazine ads are too long, out come the nail clippers. Typing with glamorous long finger nails doesn’t work for me.

I don’t know when all this started, but when I recently realized I did these three things ALL the time, I wondered – is this a ritual, a routine, or obsession? And am I like many of the notable writers who are sometimes known more for their quirky rituals than their writing? Not that I dare put my lowly, amateur self at their esteemed level, but.....will having weird little writing habits make me famous one day?

I dare not equate myself to the likes of the great Hemingway, who preferred to stand and write. Nor do I compare myself to Victor Hugo, who wrote Les Misérables and other notable works while in the nude – he even went so far as to have his clothes removed from his house so he would be forced to stay indoors and write. Um...that’s NOT for me. And I dare not consider myself in the company of those award winning authors who need certain pencils, robes, or the objects on their desk lined up a certain way before a word could be written.

Am I strange, weird, and losing my marbles like a ‘tortured artist’ because when it comes time to write, I feel I can write better if I have completed these certain ‘rituals’?

It doesn’t mean that without any of these things I simply CANNOT write. I’m not a diva. I would love, however, to be able to insist that my assistant (the cat) have the finest chocolates (chocolate chips) shipped in from across the globe (try the grocery store across the street) for my intense daily writing sessions (surfing Pinterest when I should be writing). But I am not a diva; I CAN write anywhere.

I can write with paper and pen on a bus, on the couch – anywhere. When an idea comes, I have to get it down. Even if it means a few pages hastily scribbled while holed up in the bathroom. But there’s something about sitting down for my daily writing session in the early mornings that requires my little rituals. I didn’t plan them, they just happened over time.

The removed watch and clipped fingernails are necessary for comfort and for being able to type on my laptop. The long nails get in the way of the keys, and the watchband catches on the edge of the laptop. Both can hamper my productivity, and are just plain annoying. But as soon as my watch comes off, it’s like my body knows it’s time to work. Without it, I can work more freely, and not feel weighed down.

And added to that, the superstitious side of me kicks in. Without these little oddities performed, I worry/wonder if my writing would be jinxed, thereby casting bad luck FOREVER on my being.

When psycho-analyzing my weird little ‘traditions,’ I realized the concept of rituals, routines and obsessions can be sometimes blurred.

So like any good writer, I pulled out the dictionary. An ACTUAL paper, feel-it-in-my-hand dictionary. I’m ‘old fashioned’ like that.

According to the Paperback Oxford Canadian Dictionary (Copyright Oxford University Press Canada 2000), the words ‘ritual,’ ‘routine,’ and ‘obsession’ are defined as follows:

ritual (n): 1. A prescribed order of performing rites. 2. A procedure regularly followed.

routine (n): 1. A regular course or procedure, an unvarying performance or certain acts. 2. A set sequence in a performance of certain acts.

obsession (n): 1. The act of obsessing or the state of being obsessed. 2. A persistent idea or thought dominating a person’s mind. 2. A condition in which such ideas are present.

Okay, the first two definitions seemed to make sense, but the obsession? Hmmm...I can honestly say I’m not ‘obsessed’ with these pre-writing procedures I do. I can write without them, but during my daily scheduled writing session, I much, MUCH prefer them.

But then, right below the word ‘obsession’ was this:

obsessive-compulsive (adj): Of or designating a disorder in which a person has an obsessive compulsion to perform meaningless acts repeatedly.

I nearly threw-up on the dictionary I was holding. Is something wrong with me? I hadn’t even thought of it, but upon reading the definition I panicked: what if that’s me?!

After putting the vomit-free dictionary away, chewing the cuticles on my freshly trimmed fingernails to obliteration, and removing my watch as I was sure my arm was swelling in reaction to my instant stress, I realized, so what? In the great scheme of things, having these three little rituals, or whatever they are called that make me feel comfortable, stable and ready to write, is really no big deal. It could be A LOT worse (I live across the street from a liquor store).

So whether I could be classed as ritualistic, obsessive compulsive or neurotic, I don’t care. To be considered a writer with quirky rituals like the great many writers of our time is an honour. I am fortunate to have the freedom to write, when I want and how I want. Having little rituals, or whatever they are called, isn’t hurting anyone.

Excuse me, I gotta run. The liquor store closes in five minutes.


14 comments:

  1. Lisa

    Anyone who can get up at 5:30 in the morning and write on a daily basis is entitled to small rituals. Getting up at 5:30 in the morning to do it might be considered the crazy part but thank goodness you do. Where would we be without your slice of life blogs?

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    1. Thank you, Pat, for your kind words. It's the 'routine' of 5:30am writing (lately it's been 4:30) that keeps me writing....but it's the rituals accompanying that make it easier.......or maybe, the other way around? Not sure. Thank you again for your kind words - you are too kind. Thanks for reading! Lisa

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  2. I feel that whatever you need to do -you do. I'm like the previous commentor, Pat -I'm still in major awe of your start time. I've tried that a few times, but so far an early morning start hasn't worked for me.

    I do have to tidy my workspace. I like 'quiet' so out in the country that's fairly easy to achieve.

    If I'm in the 'fresh writing' mode -I don't allow myself any social media. I consider that the treat time.

    I think your pre-writing routines/obsessions, whatever you want to call them are just right for you. Keep on writing! I'm in the camp of 'whatever works' works. Don't bother fussing about them. Just do it and keep smiling!

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    1. Thank you, Jodie. Early morning writing times aren't for everyone - like you say, whatever works for YOU is what works. The quiet out in the country is what I get so early in the mornings - except for when the cat decides it's time eat! Thank you for your kind, kind words, and thanks for reading! Lisa

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  3. Loved your article, Lisa. And since you write at the kitchen table, I'm sure the neighbors who can see in your window are glad you don't have Victor Hugo's eccentricity. However, I'm totally there with you about having a cup of tea beside me when I begin to write. Whatever you do, keep on doing it. Because what comes out is definitely worth reading. :-)

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    1. Shereen! You are so right! Yes, folks directly across can look right into my kitchen. If I did choose, however, to take on Victor Hugo's, ahem, 'ways', rest assured that I write in complete darkness, even when it's dark outside - the only light is from my laptop screen (oh second thought, I wonder how much THAT would illuminate things?). Thank you so much for your kind, kind words. Thanks for reading - Lisa

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  4. I say as long as the rituals allow the words to flow and keep the muses happy - then go for it! It's small price to pay for beautiful words on the page - whether they come out immediately or are gained after much revision.

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    1. Thank you, Jacqui - you are so right, whatever works, works, so why worry about it!? Right now it's 4:30am, and my watch is off and my tea is here - ahhhh, bliss. Thanks for stopping by given your own busy writing life! Lisa

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  5. Loved the post. And no, you're not obsessive-compulsive, because those acts are not meaningless! And I'm with the others--whatever we need to do to write is okay. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Lynn, not only for your kind words but for your validation! Thanks for stopping by! Lisa

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  6. All rings, earrings, and bare feet. Coffee or Diet Coke on the left, iPod on the right, tuned to the playlist I've compiled for the book I'm writing at the moment. I also have a favorite candle burning on the shelf above my computer and a small bowl of plain M&M's. I rise at 5:15 am to start until I go to work, then 9:00 pm until whenever I can't think another thought. "Sleep" is optional in my world. Obsessive compulsive? Maybe. I like your analogy better. With these little things in place, our body and mind know it's time to write. Thanks for a fun post Lisa.

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    1. You are so right, Harley - maybe my little 'oddities' have trained me to know when it's time to write! Thank you for kind words and for stopping by! Come back soon - Lisa

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  7. Whatever it takes to embrace the passion. Everyone has quirks. Not everyone has the passion to write during the predawn hours. Quirk away, writer.

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    1. You have that right, D.T Krippene - everyone has their 'ways' - some considered as quirks. But hey, whatever gets the writing done, indeed! Thanks so much for stopping by - happy writing! Lisa

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