What does a writer look like? I'm sure that if I lined up with everyone who reads this blog, we'd all be very different! Maybe there would be things we'd have in common - like a groove between our eyes from scowling while we search for that perfect but temporarily elusive phrase; maybe an indentation in the top of one of our middle fingers from gripping a pen; perhaps a tendency to unconsciously flex our fingers to get rid of that RSI from typing... Perhaps many of us would be wearing comfy trousers with a nice loose waistband to facilitate all the sitting down, perhaps there'd be a far-away look in our eyes (thinking about a plot whilst pretending to be present in the room) - the list could probably go on!
Why am I wondering this? Well, my 19 year-old son, home from uni, was studying me while we were on the train to London a couple of weeks back and suddenly announced: "You look like a writer, Mum."
Naturally, I was initially ridiculously pleased, as it's good to know you look the part (unless you're a toilet cleaner, perhaps), but then doubt started to set in and the question 'what does a writer look like?' began to nudge at me. I didn't ask him for clarification - I was too afraid of the answer!
My hair is shoulder-length and curly with a tendency to frizz, I often wear glasses, I go for clothes that are slightly 'hippyish' (or so I've been told - I don't do it on purpose!). I don't THINK I've got the furrow between my eyes very badly yet, or the RSI in any noticeable way, and I haven't gone all the way down the elasticated waistband route, although I do like to slouch around in pj bottoms...
Maybe more worrying, though, was the comment he'd made earlier that morning after I'd been babbling on about something or other.
He said, very matter of factly, as though it was inevitable: "You'll probably go senile, Mum, because you're a bit eccentric."
Wonderful.
Better stop procrastinating and start writing before I do!
Thanks for stopping by and reading!
May your trousers be comfy and your brow unfurrowed,
Linda :-)
13 comments:
You see, as I was reading the first couple of paragraphs, I was thinking 'hippy-ish' and then you said it! I think being a writer is outside the 'norm', so that style comes to mind. It would be strange to wear a business suit and heels to sit at your kitchen table.
PS. My jeans are freshly washed and therefore very uncomfortable, and there's always been a furrow on my brow.
Ha! i totally identify with this! My clothing choice has changed dramatically since staying home to write fulltime. Never ever thought that I would live in sweats! Crazy!
Consider it a compliment. I just found you and love your blog.
Ha - my jeans are too tight after christmas and by brow is definitely furrowed - maybe being a writer is being aware of these things!
Lxxx
I asked OH if I look like a writer. He said 'yes - if writers are supposed to look a bit odd'. I'm sure he meant that in a good way.
I'm definitely in need of some elasticated trousers after the Christmas period. I probably do have a furrow and sometimes a faraway look, though I always hope to be portraying a look that say, I'm listening.
I would imagine "slightly eccentric" are the words that people would use if asked to describe a writer. I'm not sure I'd fit that, I tend to blend in to a crowd and I like it that way.... I think :)
Man, I don't even know what I look like on a regular basis. My outfits range from Bohemian to thing-i-sleep-in-but-wear-as-clothes-too. But I kinda like being unpredictable. But I totally roll by wrists all the time from typing, and carry a notebook everywhere. And get little sleep cuz I'm busy writing or reading.
I'm so jealous, I want people to look at me and think writer. When I'm not wearing a shirt identifying me as one.
I always have ink on me somewhere--hands or clothes or both. Artists seem to have an air. Maybe us writers have an air, too. I'll have to see whether I notice such a thing next time I'm in a room full of them.
Ha! I love that last line.
My trousers ARE comfy and my brow IS furrowed...
To which I'll add:
And may the cushion you sit upon remain soft.
The great thing about senility is that you'll have no idea.
I'm so excited you signed up for the Tumble 4 Ya blogfest! This is going to be so fun!!!
P.S. PJ pants are in my top five list of best things ever. :)
That one about the faraway eyes...that's me in a nutshell. I'm rarely ever present in a room!
I am all about the comfy trousers. Seriously. As for eccentric, the first time someone put that label on me, I felt defensive, but then, when I thought about it, I realized they were spot-on, and I wouldn't want to be any other way! Came over from Kittie Howard's Links post... A bit late, but maybe that's just eccentricity.
Brilliant, kids don't you love em?! My day job is in PR and my son often says - disparagingly - 'you answered that JUST like a PR person' when he asks me something! When at home writing, I add fingerless gloves to my odd ensemble - at least in the winter time - as my office is freezing cold. :)
Aloha Linda,
I found you via the '80s Crushes Blogfest and wanted to say I loved your post and you have a new follower!
I look forward to reading your stuff and good luck with your planned novel... you *can* do it :)
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