Are You a Loud Writer?

I'm back! At least until the next time my internet provider works on their tower.

swine flu update: Another school system in Texas has shut down. This one is closer to the neighborhood I used to live in. Many events have been canceled.

writing update: My mother is coming to visit. What does this have to do with writing?

LOL. I find it hard to write when I have people standing behind me. The blogs won't be a problem since I usually write them very early in the morning when everyone else is asleep.

But I am what I call a demonstrative writer. I write my lines. Say them out loud. I retype words, rephrase sentences, walk around and sometimes play-act certain scenes so I get a feel for how it might go down.

I can't do that with an audience. They simply would not understand.

Do you talk to yourself when you write or read? Do you practice your scenes? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Comments

Although I often talk to myself (a sign of high intelligence as it demonstrates that one can carry on two separate tasks at once) because I'm single, I don't "write out loud" unless it's come to that part where you have to read aloud to see if the rhythm, conversation patterns, etc. are working. I try not to do that if the windows are open and the neighbors are home.

Luckily for me, no one has ever stood behind me as I wrote. When they do that when I work on computer art projects, I firmly command them to step away or do it themselves!

Was it Claudia Dain or Virginia Kantra who told our group that they had their son(?) tie them into a chair with duct tape so they could see if their heroine's escape was plausible?

Hope you don't go that far.

Maybe you should write some steamy sex scenes during the visit? That is, if your mother gets embarrassed at such.
Maria Zannini said…
ROTFL!

Oh gosh. My mom doesn't even know I write romance.

Ref: (a sign of high intelligence as it demonstrates that one can carry on two separate tasks at once)

I LOVE this! Now I feel so much better about speaking in tongues.

I don't act out scenes often, but when something is giving me trouble, I find it helps to walk the line to see if it works.
Heather Moore said…
Maria, your post made me laugh. I definitely talk to myself, and/or my characters when I write. Not A LOT, but enough that it's probably best for others to not ask questions. The other day I overheard my 4 year old say, "Oh my mom is just taking to herself again."

I remember reading something by Jack Bickham in one of his writing books. And he said--your character are not real . . . I thought to myself: MINE are real. I mean, why else would I be having conversations with them? LOL.
First of all, unless I'm using voice recognition, I usually just speak the words in my head, but I always "hear" them. I do not act out the scenes as I write most of the time...

But I'll tell you a story. When we moved, one of my criteria was a study with a door that closed. This is because I edit out loud and some of what I write I didn't consider appropriate for young ears. Like my romance novels and occasional dark fantasy that borders on horror.

So when my oldest, then 13, asked to read one of my published stories, I was reluctant. This was a dark fantasy that had been tweaked by the editor to lean much more on the horror side. It's a great story and I'm very proud of it. But it really was a bit heavy for a 13 year old I thought (neglecting to consider what _I_ was reading at that same age).

His response? "DUH Mom, you edited it out loud when I was playing on Dad's computer (we shared a study in the old house). I've already heard it before.

*blush*
Maria Zannini said…
Hi Heather!
LOL! When a 4 year old thinks it's normal to hear mommy talk to herself, you know you're in a writer's home.

I know what you mean about characters being real--at least while I'm having those conversations. If I can't convince myself they are acting appropriately, how can I convince the reader?

So glad I'm not the only one!
Maria Zannini said…
Hi Margaret!
OMG! You can't hide anything from kids. If it's any condolence, if the story was bad, there's a good chance he would have said something to you before it was sent to the editor. :o)

At least he shows interest in your work. We need more kids that love to read.

Good job, mom!
Marshall Payne said…
I'll talk out my scenes sometimes. Or when away from the PC i'll often think of my fave lines in a story and find myself saying them aloud. Sometimes I'll make arm and hand gestures. I don't think I'd be comfortable writing on a laptop in a coffee shop. I might attract attention to myself. *g*
Maria Zannini said…
Hey Marshall! I guess that's what you call a coffee and a show. :o)

Like you, I try to keep a very low profile in public. I don't want to advertise my eccentricities.