The World In Your Head
One of the odd pieces of knowledge I picked up in my other life as a divorce lawyer is a scary familiarity with the DSM (IV). The official name is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it? But, really, and not to minimize, but these issues come up in divorce more often than you might think.
What does this have to do with writing? Well, kind of everything. Long ago I stumbled upon a quote by E.L. Doctorow that made it all seem clear. The quote goes like this: “Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.”
The quote made me realize that being able to put all of my creative energy into a book was a gift. Writing allows us to do the socially unthinkable. In our heads and on our computer screens, we connect words and put together stories of worlds and people that don’t exist except how they exist to us. Writing gives us the freedom to do what others can’t. We create and manufacture, design and believe. It’s work, but it’s also special.
Don’t waste it. Write.
October 18th, 2007 at 1:57 am
OMG I love that quote! It totally cracked me up! And I love coming here each night to check in (I linked my picture of Sven on my blog, so all I have to do is click on him!)
I’m doing great so far. Sven is kicking my butt. 2.25k today! And not even 5k left until I finish my book!!! And then I get to start another one
October 18th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Yeah, it is a brilliant quote, isn’t it?
If I wasn’t a writer, I’m sure I’d be a total nutcase… Playing in a make believe world is awesome therapy!
October 18th, 2007 at 6:34 am
Well, now I don’t feel so bad about all these voices inside my head.
Am writing this morning before heading off to work and so, far this morning, 1,707 words. Always feels good to get some writing done before begninning another long day at the salt mines.
October 18th, 2007 at 6:48 am
I spent the night terrorizing coworkers by asking about the effects of small vs. large caliber rounds on the human body and what they’d do if they were suddenly a werewolf.
One guy learned about the fatal chocolate allergy and asked for those silver bullets.
I love my job.
October 18th, 2007 at 10:01 am
OMG! This is too funny!
October 18th, 2007 at 10:11 am
Wow, thank you, this post could not be better timed for me.
I was just feeling a little silly after explaining to a friend last night that I had spent the two hours previous “listening” to the villain in my book tell me about his doings…
October 18th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I recently had this quote on my blog. Who kismet.
October 18th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
This post was just what I needed. Yesterday was rough. Real life commitments just love taking over. Sorry to say I probably got a total of 250 words yesterday…
October 18th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I hadn’t heard the quote, but I use the excuse all the time. In fact, once my husband and I were arguing about my need to write (and the state of the housework–but mind you, I also have a full time day job, ugh) and I kept telling him “But the characters are TALKING, I *have* to listen and write it down, they don’t often repeat themselves.”
You all would understand. I think he nearly called an ambulance to head over with a white coat.
October 18th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.
LOL I like that and it’s very true. More then one person has looked slightly scared when I’m walking and playing out a scene in my head or sounding out dialog and forgotten that the words are actually coming out of my mouth.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Hmm. Not surprised. My mum finds it very embarassing when I talk to myself in public.