Thursday, July 29, 2010

10 Reasons It's Great to be a Writer


10. There is no dress code.

9. You're not eavesdropping; you're working.

8. Your rather eccentric computer history of websites can be explained as research.
BONUS: Actually, anything can be explained as research - it just takes a bit of thought.

7. Your active imagination now has something to focus on.

6. Although you say you don't base your characters on anyone you know, you could. Revenge is sweet.

5. People expect odd behaviour from creative types. This is an advantage.

4. You know talking to yourself serves a purpose.

3. You can tell yourself your typo isn't a typo, it's a new word. Language evolves.

2. If you write romantic scenes you can blush and tell people you couldn't possibly confirm whether they're autobiographical.

1. You can make your own rules and then break them.

19 comments:

  1. I LOVE these! I've often wondered what my research sites would say to the police...

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  2. Elspeth - This is FABULOUS! My daughter will tell you that I am very lucky about #10. ; ) Here's one reason I love being a mystery writer - You can explain any trip to the police station quite plausibly ; ).

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  3. Laura; I've often wondered the same thing.

    Margot; Thank you! Being a mystery writer does come with its own advantages, doesn't it? Although I've learned asking too many questions about poisons can garner worried looks.

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  4. And, if you're fortunate enough not to need a second job, you can make your own hours. :)

    (my fave is the dress code)

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  5. Yes! Everything is research -- including talking to yourself. It does help to wear a bluetooth though.

    Love your blog (but you knew that!).
    Giggles and Gunsx

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  6. Elisa; That is an advantage! However, the disadvantage is you never really leave the office!

    Mary; Everything IS research! Thanks for the kind words.

    Karen; There really is something to being master of your own domain!

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  7. Ah, yes. Research. Every day I expect the men in black suits to come ring my bell.

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  8. I certainly have no dress code, but I wouldn´t call my poor taste an advantage when I have to write up smart women - or their shoes!!

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  9. Here is my recent search histories:

    1) Arsenic
    2) Sexual dysfunction (could also explain the increase in email in my spam folder)
    3) Sexual abuse
    4) Silent Witness

    I'm sure I'm on someone's watchlist. Ah, now I just have to finish writing the books before the cops show up at my door. Or else I could be in big trouble.

    CD

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  10. I love your list! My latest searches involve teen trauma and 17th century British monarchs. Random, yes, and so much fun. I especially love 3 and 2 :)

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  11. you got 'er! I love them all - I especially love no dress code and license to be zany. Like I need that!
    On another note, I was telling someone today about when one of my partners in crime and I attended the G8 here in Halifax a long time ago. We got into our CatchWord frame of mind and thought it would be fun to follow a couple of the secret service guys there to watch out for Clinton. We followed them for quite awhile and then I realized we were MAD to do so and we got the heck out of there. Totally would've sucked to be killed by those goons just cuz we had our mystery weekend heads on!

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  12. Great list! I recently asked my neighborhood mechanic how to cut brake lines so no one would be able tell. He looked at me like I was crazy and/or evil. I could have sworn I'd mentioned I write mysteries. Talk about having to back pedal!
    Hearth Cricket

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  13. I like that we can eavesdrop for research. :)

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  14. I just love this. And my favourites are evesdropping for research and talking to yourself having a purpose

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  15. I love the post and love the comments. The part I like best is that I can work whatever hours I like and take off whenever I want.

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  16. AMEN! My two cents: You can go days without washing the dishes, or putting on laundry and have a valid excuse. "The muse was talking. I couldn't just let it talk to thin air!"

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  17. Ten great reasons – with #10 and #1 being two of my favorites.

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  18. "3. You can tell yourself your typo isn't a typo, it's a new word. Language evolves."

    LOL! That must've been Shakespeare's excuse! He created hundreds of words in the English language. They had probably been typos, haha!

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