Quirky, Weird, Sometimes Gross Habits
I’ve been called weird all my life. It’s not surprising this ‘weirdness’ has found its way into not only in to my work, B2W’s online following and even my writing process.
The evidence? Well, every single time I start planning a new story, I ‘have’ to buy a new pair of earrings. It gets even more specific: the earrings have to have *something* to do with the story!
As an example, when I was writing The Coven, I bought a rather fetching pair of (ethically sourced) Dreamcatcher earrings. I love them so much, I wear them all the time (you may have seen them on my videos, IG Lives or TikTok).
As you may know, there is a Native American character in my book. The earrings also have a polished chicken bone fragment hanging off the bottom. Bones are frequently used in witchcraft.
This got me thinking about the habits of other writers. I managed to unearth some quirky, weird and even outright gross ones! Ready? Let’s go …
1) Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) – Wrote standing up at a special desk
The British modernist author of Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse is not so weird by modern standards. Standing desks have become a ‘thing’ now, but back then they weren’t. Apparently her contemporaries thought this very strange!
2) Haruki Murakami (1949–) – Starts writing at 4 a.m. daily
The Japanese author of surreal works like Norwegian Wood gets up before dawn … Again, not so weird, especially if you’re a parent. I know lots of writers like to get up before their kids when the house is quiet. But wow, not something I could do! I like my bed too much.
3) Joan Didion (1934–2021) – Slept next to her book while finishing it
Now we’re talking … plus I can relate to this. While I don’t sleep next to my laptop (I don’t hand-write my novels), I DO have a special notebook for each story. I have been known to take it to bed with me, though I keep it on the bedside table. The American writer was known for her essays and The Year of Magical Thinking.
4) Jodi Picoult (1966–) – Denies writer’s block exists
The American author is known for emotional fiction like My Sister’s Keeper and Small Great Things. I would have to diagree with Ms. Picoult here. Many writers I’ve worked with have suffered writer’s block. However, if this tactic works for Picoult and keeps her away from despair, then good for her.
5) Honoré de Balzac (1799–1850) – Drank up to 50 cups of coffee a day
The French novelist known for La Comédie Humaine apparently drank up to 50 cups of coffee A DAY! Wowsers. I drank 22 once and thought I could see through time, so maybe she transcended into a super-writer?
6) Jack Kerouac (1922 – 1969) – Did “touchdowns” (toe balancing) daily
The renowned and prolific American beat writer of On the Road liked to exercise before writing. Unfortunately, he struggled with addiction and died when he was only forty-eight, so not sure how useful it was to him.
7) Truman Capote (1924-1984) – Wrote only while lying down
The American author of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and In Cold Blood wrote lying down, though whether this was on his back or stomach I have no idea. I can’t imagine either being especially comfortable!
8.) James Joyce (1882-1941) – Wrote on his stomach with a large pencil
The Irish author of Ulysses and Dubliners was like Capote, plus he ‘had’ to use a pencil.
9) Maya Angelou (1928-2014) – Wrote in bare hotel rooms with sherry
The iconic American poet and author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings had to get away. She also liked alcohol while she was writing. Perhaps she was a fan of Hemingway’s (supposed) quote ‘Write drunk, edit sober’?
10) Pablo Neruda (1904 – 1973) – Only wrote in green ink, believing it was the colour of hope
I can relate to this Chilean poet-diplomat big time. I’m only ‘allowed’ to use pink ink for my edits. I don’t know why I made that rule, but it’s working so far!
11) Victor Hugo (1902-1885) – Had his servant hide his clothes to avoid distractions
The French author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame wrote in the nude. I can imagine that was pretty rough in a time when central heating didn’t exist!
12) Dan Brown (1964) – Hung upside down for creativity
American author of The Da Vinci Code and other thrillers apparently likes to use his gravity boots for this … which may explain a few things!
13) Edith Sitwell (1887-1964) – Lay in an open coffin for inspiration
Wow! The British poet known for her experimental and modernist poetry. Personally, I would have put money on someone like Bram Stoker (Dracula) doing this instead. Shows you never can tell!
14) Colette (1873-1954) – Picked fleas off her dog before writing
The French novelist known for Gigi and the Claudine series. As for this … wow. And VOM. I can’t even, as the yoof say.
15) Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805) – Kept rotten apples on his desk for inspiration
Schiller was known for William Tell and Ode to Joy. I wonder what went through the German playwright and poet’s mind here?? I honestly cannot fathom how the whiff of rotten apples is ‘inspiring!’
Over To YOU …
Do you have any quirky, weird or gross habits or rituals you have’ to do, so you can write? Let us know!
