Posted by KVTaylor in That’s a Dexter quote, from season 2, if you were wondering.
In the spirit of Nanowrimo, I thought I’d do something a little bit personal, about the crazy shit people (as in Katey) do in their quest to be writers.* Last month Nathan Bransford had a post asking “when is writing unhealthy?” The comment that inspired the post was about how some for some people writing is like an addiction and they’ll pursue it to the detriment of their mental well-being, and even at the expense of their family. That’s an extreme example– I’m sure it’s happened but I personally haven’t seen it.
That said, I’m pretty sure plenty of people thought me crazy for my own weird path. So I have this college degree, right. I was pretty close to a graduate degree, actually, but that’s another story altogether; the short version is that academia, at least in the humanities, is my own personal version of hell.
There are things you can do even with an art history degree, believe it or not. I didn’t do them, though; I got a job as a cashier at a corporate cafe with a huge company (Limited Brands– the Victoria’s Secret discount alone made it the best job ever), selling coffee/lunch. It made me get out of the house and talk to people, which is something I like, but generally neglect. The people were awesome. But the best thing was that my hours were 11am-7pm, ensuring that I could stay up at night, during my best writing hours, and work on my book non-stop.
Let me just stop right here to assure you that I was f#%king awful back then.
People would ask me at work once they got to know me– especially the suits– “What the hell are you doing here?” This irritated me for more than one reason, the largest being the snobbery inherent in the question. But to their credit, when I liked them enough to be honest and told them I liked the job because it let me work on my writing, people always found it believable. They seemed to get that even if it was stupid in their estimation, nothing about that choice was the least bit extraordinary. And it’s not– people do it all the time.
Could’ve been unhealthy though, I guess. It wasn’t only because I didn’t have anyone else to worry about. I wasn’t married back then (actually, my husband was one of the suits– we met because he drank insane amounts of coffee there while on a consulting project there). I wanted to be good more than anything else. I just needed health benefits and enough money to buy mac and cheese and pay the rent. But you’re expected to get moving on a career path right about then, and I never did. Sort of a cardinal sin.
My point is, to quote the great Nigel Tufnel, it’s such a fine line between clever and stupid. (Or brave and stupid, focused and stupid, etc.) I’ve crossed it more than once, unhealthily– but we all have. Like I say, nothing extraordinary about it. And I like Nanowrimo because it’s about temporarily giving yourself permission– in a safe way– to be the kind of crazy necessary to just do what you always wanted to do. That’s something I can definitely get behind.
So okay, there’s the personal post, since I’ve never really done one before. Seemed like a good time. Anyhow, I’m sure you guys are unhealthy in your own ways, so feel free to share!
*If you can’t see the link, I speak of the madness involved in actually agreeing to such a task as writing a book in one month, let alone just how the process itself aggravates your madness. Good thing madness only makes us better at what we do!
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Now playing: Franz Liszt – Sonata In B Minor: I. Lento assai – Allegro energico
via FoxyTunes
At the moment I’m devouring a bag of Liquorice Allsorts, I think that makes me plenty unhealthy.
I have the perfect writer’s job – a receptionist.
I don’t know what Allsorts are, but anything Liquorice is okay by me!
That is the perfect job– I tried to get one of those once but they ended up really wanting an administrative assistant who also answered phones and directed traffic. Jerks!
I am with Cate. I binged on chips and french onion dip earlier. It is a bit unlike me and definitely an unhealthy step over the line. I can’t blame it on writing. Can I blame it on reading my Flist on LJ and their posts about writing and Nano? Ok yeah, no.
I have backed myself into a corner before and super stressed over writing. That is the worst I’ve gotten so far. Give me time. Thanks for this post!
Woo, Hoo. I’m all for temporary crazy…hence the silly hat this month. Also, we’ve got a shit load of seagulls here and it protects me for the obvious reason. Sort of a head condom.
Mmm…liquorice allsorts. I’m in the process of working my way through a 5 lb bag of Rockets (we only had 17 kids at the door on halloween). Can you say sugar-rush?
My degree is in magazine journalism. The most I ever did with it was an unpaid internship with a newspaper near my hometown. It was a great experience, until I got mono ; )
We had thirteen kids at the door for Halloween. The last four showed up after 10, and the only reason they got anything is because it wasn’t me that answered the knock.
In various forms and shapes, I have about 200 pieces of chocolate here. And that’s after the kids and I have nibbled (okay, gorged) and sent far too much to my god-daughter.
Definitely unhealthy, but good incentive to finish the daily word count, lol!
Unhealthy? I used to spend waaaaay too much time staring at a screen each night. I don’t churn out as many words this way, but the words that do come are better. Make sense?
Yeah, all the candy/pastries I eat don’t help, either, but I have a pretty solid metabolism and exercise routine. When my knees give out, I’m screwed.
Well my knees are giving out and I have a loving wife that thinks if she fattens me up then no other woman will want me…
Unhealthy is only a perception. For me, it’s a life style ;c)
Once upon a time, kids in Australia didn’t wear helmets when we rode bikes and parents were allowed to smack us – now they consider both actions unhealthy – b#l%sh%t
Write, eat and be merry. You only live once, you may as well enjoy the experience!
Mg, I’ve done the super-stress thing, and I know it’s not pretty. More unhealthy than french onion dip… or maybe I’m just saying that because now I want some. Dammit!
Alan, you are a trip. That head-condom crack gave me the BEST mental image!
Nat, mono is the WORST. I had it in high school because if one person on the swim team got it, everyone did. The joys of sharing water bottles :/ But hey, we can not use our awesome degrees together!
Jodi, there is much to be said for chocolate as an incentive. More than almost any other possible incentive in the world, really. (WTF after 10? What were they, 17 years old?!)
Aaron, that staring thing is downright zombiefying. Makes total sense. Here’s to your knees staying in good repair indefinitely!
Bwahaha, love the bullshit, BT. Your last two sentences cut to the heart of the matter, that’s for sure.