Ummm...Yes, I think so. Even at nearly 92, I still sometimes wake early and mentally compose a line or two, change the direction of a statement, etc. Although I type and think slower...I still manage my weekly column in The Costa Blanca newspaper and the odd poem. My 10th book still awaits a publisher as I am not a technical person, and have a neglected Wordpress site (http://joylennick.wordpress.com) to be attended to again soon...) I am still curious and love words; it stops me from rusting! Cheers.
It's interesting to think about, Amanda. I'm not sure if I agree either, although I do completely resonate with, "trying to constantly refine the words that make up the stories you want to tell."
There's a lot to chew on here. As a writing newbie, one of the things that I most relate to is the doubt that appears to be fairly commonplace. Do my words have any value? Refining my word choice also but the doubt quotient, I've really got it, so I must be an expert -😂
I walked to school when I was a kid. On the way, I'd skirt the dairy and its cow pastures, cross the railroad tracks and trudge up a steep dirt path lined with redwood trees and knotty pines. I'd make up stories about people or animals, describing what I saw or felt or smelt that day. I thought in third person a lot. My first published story - I think I was about 12 years old - was one I made up after stopping to watch a cow give birth, which made me late for school. I don't remember the story exactly, except the girl in it had to help the cow and she saved the calf's life. It was a goofy story published in the local newspaper as a novelty, but I loved telling it. After reading your post, I realized I still think in third person, still think in stories, especially when I'm walking or waiting (doctor's offices, etc.) or doing other activities (housework, shopping) that allow my mind to idle. So I guess I have a writer's mind. It seems I'm always writing even when there's no computer or pen and paper in my hands.
Think in third person about yourself going about your everyday life? I’m intrigued! How is that appearing in your mind? Like you’re watching yourself and describing what you’re doing? Tell me more! 💙
Yes, that's exactly how it appears in my mind. I'd give myself a different (more common) name and better clothes and hair, but it was always something I noticed, something that caught my attention. The cow giving birth was a big one. Another was a redwood tree that was getting ready to fall and I (she) reported on its progress daily. Once a ladybug landed on my (her) hand and stayed there until I (she) got to school. I wrote a story about the school bully crying behind the gym for class and my teacher had me read it aloud. Everyone including the bully knew exactly who I was talking about. I had to hide from the bully for months after! Watching myself was the start but now I apply the same tactic to random strangers. But something has to kick-start it. It can be a huge thing like birth or a small detail like the way a person walks or the pet hair on the back of their jacket. It's weird but I've thought in third person for as long as I can remember!
I definitely spend time working with (and struggling with and grumbling over) words. I don’t think about whether what I’m doing has enough inherent value to be done. I just know it needs to be done, by me. So I do it. As a side note, like Loretta, I am also a third person thinker, not all of the time, but definitely some of it!
Ummm...Yes, I think so. Even at nearly 92, I still sometimes wake early and mentally compose a line or two, change the direction of a statement, etc. Although I type and think slower...I still manage my weekly column in The Costa Blanca newspaper and the odd poem. My 10th book still awaits a publisher as I am not a technical person, and have a neglected Wordpress site (http://joylennick.wordpress.com) to be attended to again soon...) I am still curious and love words; it stops me from rusting! Cheers.
Yes I often write and rewrite sentences in my head when out walking and doing housework. So maybe there is such a thing as writer's mind!
It's interesting to think about, Amanda. I'm not sure if I agree either, although I do completely resonate with, "trying to constantly refine the words that make up the stories you want to tell."
Them pesky words!
There's a lot to chew on here. As a writing newbie, one of the things that I most relate to is the doubt that appears to be fairly commonplace. Do my words have any value? Refining my word choice also but the doubt quotient, I've really got it, so I must be an expert -😂
Haha you must be! I really enjoy your posts, Mark, and find them thought provoking and honest. So I value them!
Many thanks Amanda.
I walked to school when I was a kid. On the way, I'd skirt the dairy and its cow pastures, cross the railroad tracks and trudge up a steep dirt path lined with redwood trees and knotty pines. I'd make up stories about people or animals, describing what I saw or felt or smelt that day. I thought in third person a lot. My first published story - I think I was about 12 years old - was one I made up after stopping to watch a cow give birth, which made me late for school. I don't remember the story exactly, except the girl in it had to help the cow and she saved the calf's life. It was a goofy story published in the local newspaper as a novelty, but I loved telling it. After reading your post, I realized I still think in third person, still think in stories, especially when I'm walking or waiting (doctor's offices, etc.) or doing other activities (housework, shopping) that allow my mind to idle. So I guess I have a writer's mind. It seems I'm always writing even when there's no computer or pen and paper in my hands.
Think in third person about yourself going about your everyday life? I’m intrigued! How is that appearing in your mind? Like you’re watching yourself and describing what you’re doing? Tell me more! 💙
Yes, that's exactly how it appears in my mind. I'd give myself a different (more common) name and better clothes and hair, but it was always something I noticed, something that caught my attention. The cow giving birth was a big one. Another was a redwood tree that was getting ready to fall and I (she) reported on its progress daily. Once a ladybug landed on my (her) hand and stayed there until I (she) got to school. I wrote a story about the school bully crying behind the gym for class and my teacher had me read it aloud. Everyone including the bully knew exactly who I was talking about. I had to hide from the bully for months after! Watching myself was the start but now I apply the same tactic to random strangers. But something has to kick-start it. It can be a huge thing like birth or a small detail like the way a person walks or the pet hair on the back of their jacket. It's weird but I've thought in third person for as long as I can remember!
I think you’re the only person I know who does this!
What can I say? I'm 100% weirdo!
😂 weird is GOOD! 💙
I definitely spend time working with (and struggling with and grumbling over) words. I don’t think about whether what I’m doing has enough inherent value to be done. I just know it needs to be done, by me. So I do it. As a side note, like Loretta, I am also a third person thinker, not all of the time, but definitely some of it!