Writers have their own quirks that not many people know about. These are my writing quirks. Every writer is different and sometimes books do not show that. This was supposed to be a funny way to encourage people to take time to learn things about beingauthor after they read a book. It completely deepens the purpose of the novel. (Guaranteed these quirks have virtually nothing to do with the purpose of anything I write) But it is interesting to think that what you are reading came from a girl eating pizza in a bath tub (like me) or that an author wrote this story while they were exiled from their homeland (like someone as famous as Lord Byron). It deepens perspective.

1. I have papers everywhere

In my room, I have drawers full of old or loose ideas. There is a whole cabinet full of them in my closet. Whenever I need an idea or am stuck, I go to the drawer.

2. Writing Music

I have three stations on Pandora that I alternate between. Sometimes when the music is really intense, I will write an intense scene. When the music changes change my tone too. Typically, I need perfect silence to write continuously and in chronological order.

3. Writer's Block

It is real. It feels like I am going through a breakup (but with my own mind because I feel betrayed) so I usually eat a lot of chocolate and I forcefully distract myself. I cannot sleep either because I know subconsciously I need another idea.

4. Staying up way later than expected

Once I am in my writing mode, I can spend hours locked away in my room. In fact, I cooped myself up for two in a half days once just so I could finish a book. I only let myself out to use the bathroom.

5. Testing out character names

I test out character names in the shower sounding them out in different tones to see if they are good enough. It makes for a really awkward conversation especially when your sister walks in and you are screaming, "King Basmus!"

6. Going through snacks

My personal favorites are cups of tea with honey, cookie dough ice cream, Swedish fish, french fries, cookies, and popcorn. (Not all at once of course) I go through a ton of snacks while I write.

7. Trying to describe what you are imagining

Here comes the quirk- This is the hardest so I will either try to act it out myself. If a character is about to fall, I will hang off the side of my bed. If a character is leaning in for a kiss, a teddy bear is a good substitute? Or sometimes I try to think how this scene would look in a movie. Whatever helps....

8. Revelations

The most common question I get asked is "how do you come up with ideas for books? Whelp. I was taking a shower.... One time I was doing AP world homework. I was sleeping. Then there was this one time I was taking a test. Here is the concise answer- I must be subconsciously thinking about my books all the time. The ideas just come.

9. Deadlines

I spent almost a fortune on pizza a couple days before deadlines are due. Sometimes I try to take a bath while eating and typing. I cannot sleep. The worse was having to do edits during finals week.

10. Pride walking away from a goal

When I successfully accomplish a writing goal, I walk out of my room like I am strutting a fashion show. (Except my hair is embarrassingly messy and I am in a t-shirt worn for way longer than it should have been worn.) But hey.... it is well deserved.