Once again, it's time to gather around the blogosphere campfire and share our stories of insecurity for this month's Insecure Writer's Support Group. The Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh is the one who first called us to gather on this, the first Wednesday of every month. And so, each month, we return to this place and let loose our frustrations so that they may not strangle us. The esteemed co-hosts for this month are Misha Gericke and Joylene Nowell Butler.
This month, I've been wondering if my difficulties with relating to people may work against me. I've always been awkward. I was an awkward child, and I'm an awkward adult. Granted, I do better as an awkward adult. I have friends who don't worry about being judged for being my friend. I have a husband who understands my awkwardness and, for some reason, finds it attractive.
Still, awkwardness makes me question my writing sometimes.
The things most of the people I know enjoy doing don't even remotely appeal to me a lot of the time. I know so many people who enjoy decorating, and I do enjoy a nicely decorated space. However, I fear I don't have the visual intelligence to decorate a home, and when I'm doing things like painting and moving furniture around, I keep thinking that I'd rather be writing. If I have an old winter coat that isn't completely falling apart, I'll choose buying new books over a new winter coat. (When it comes to my kids, however, I'll buy them the coat. I make sure they have what they need.)
I, who get my hair done once every five years and have never had my nails done because I don't see the point on spending money on such things, am not typical. Most of the people who will potentially read my words have little in common with me. Why should they listen to what I have to say? How can I relate to them?
Luckily, as humans we seem to have a common core of emotion. We feel love, we feel pain, we feel hope, we feel loss. I hope I can adequately tap into those common feelings and draw in readers who may not be able to relate to me in other ways.
Maybe all of us writers are strange in our own way. Am I the only person who feels awkward? Is that awkwardness conducive to writing, or can it be a hindrance?
I'm with you on the awkwardness, but I just assimilate it as part of my uber geek personality; I think it suits me well ;)
ReplyDeleteJamie @ Mithril Wisdom
I'm rather socially awkward. Guess I spend too much time in my head creating worlds to know how to interact properly in the one in which I actually live.
ReplyDeleteI like to think it's a writer thing, and judging by my writers group's first attempt at an evening out together, at the very least, it's not just me.
I can be pretty easy-going (on the outside) in social situations, but anyone that knows me can testify that I'm one giant ball of craaazzzzy. I over think all things and don't really find enjoyment (like you) in the things most of the people I know do. I strongly believe all writers are strange!
ReplyDeleteI believe all writers are awkward, in different degrees but all are. The funny thing is that at some point all believe we are alone in that awkwardness. Good news is we're wrong. There's a whole race of us. And we share a LOT in common.
ReplyDeleteI love people, but that over-zealousness has put me in some awkward situations. Lucky for us we can chalk it up to the quirkiness of being an artist :D
ReplyDeleteI'm really awkward, in that I never know what to say to people, and therefore can come across as quite rude/ignorant/weird because of it. I think it's a writer thing; we're more comfortable in the worlds we're creating than the real one!
ReplyDeleteI genuinely believe everyone who is creative in some way is a little bit... unusual lol! You describe yourself as awkward, but that's a good thing. Because nobody will be awkward in the exact same ways you are - and it's those things which make us unique. So, when you are trying convey love, or loss in your writing, you will do it in a way only YOU can. That's pretty special!
ReplyDeleteWell... the way I see it, we come through in our writing whether we like it or not, but our characters serve as masks. Yes, they'll have certain personality traits in common with you, but in other ways they'll be completely different.
ReplyDeleteAnd your characters are the ones your readers need to resonate with. Not you so much. :-)
I think everyone has little quirks and areas of awkwardness. That's what makes us (and life) interesting. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou're not awkward - you sound just like my wife! And she's pretty darn cool.
ReplyDeleteEven among writers I often feel the odd one out.
I never do my nails either! It's a waste when I break them playing with the kids in the sandbox or ruin the paint. I'm awkward - I admit it and I'm a geek! We are pretty cool people. :)
ReplyDeleteYou own your awkwardness and celebrate! You are one of the most talented writers on here and I love reading your words, sharing your unique world and learning about you and your family. We all have our foibles, it makes us who we are, and someday I'll tell you all about me!
ReplyDeleteYou sound like me. When I was young, every time I was on vacation at the beach with my cousins, they'd be swimming or sunning, and I'd be in the corner reading a book. Decorate my apartment? Buy new clothes? Why?
ReplyDeleteI enjoy being a non-conformist! :-)
I frequently feel like I don't fit in with folks around me due to my love for things kooky and quirky, but I believe my writing will, and does, appeal to people. Not all, but that's ok.
ReplyDeleteHaving read some of your work, I can testify to you tapping in to real emotions, shared by millions. I'd never have guessed you thought yourself awkward, from your writing.