After speaking to several of my fellow writers I thought I’d better put up the following warning in the interest of public safety. If you are a family member of a writer, please take this to heart. If you are a writer, you might want to print this up and post it in your writing area.Warning
If a writer is engaged in the writing process (eyes transfixed on computer, storyboard, or notebook), please do not approach him/her and attempt to conduct a conversation. The writer cannot hear or understand what you are saying. Even if the writer appears to nod or mumble an affirmation, it is highly unlikely they have comprehended anything and may not even remember the conversation at a later time.
You can attempt to break the writer’s attention away from their work, but this is not recommended as the writer may become confused, disoriented, or agitated. It is best to leave the writer alone until he/she voluntarily walks away.
…. ;)
17 comments:
Does that apply to leaving blog post comments too?
If you asked my family they would say yes. ;)
Oh my! I need one of those? lol! My husband laughs at how focused I become at the computer. He things it's hysterical. (Mostly because I tease him for the same thing when he sits down to do his techy/computery stuff)
ROTFL! You said it, girl! LOL! And yes, I believe this concept applies to anything a writer may currently be working on whether it be an article, book, story, blogpost, a letter/e-mail, etc. ;-) When I'm working on my novel, I usually keep my bedroom door closed with my "Writer at Work" sign hanging on the doorknob (this prevents distractions), but when I'm replying to letters and e-mails my door is usually left open. A lot of times during this process my mom will say things to me and I respond as if I heard her, but later I can't clearly recall what it was she said to me. LOL!
Heehee, I love this! I should post this on the door to my office, along with an "Enter at your own risk" sign.
Isn't if funny how universal certain behaviors apply to writers? It's like we're our own special species. When I try to talk to non-writers about writing they look at me cross eyed, but when I say the same thing to a writer friend they always say "I know what you mean!" Lol.
Amen to that! O_O and I would also add, don't stand behind the writer and read over their shoulder. That's a sure way to die :P lol
Thank you! I think I need to print this up . . . or not, because my kids sometimes count on me being distracted. They like to ask me for chocolate and screen time when I am so distracted that I might just say, "yes," when normally I would say no.
Ha ha! I've had to hold up my hand and say, "You're in the queue," to my family. After I process what I was doing, I look up and answer their question. It's pretty funny.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!
However my sons have found that it can work in their favour. They'll ask me something, I'll mumble, and later (when I'm not writing) they'll say that I said they could do something. And they know I don't like to go back on my word even if I can't remember agreeing!
Lol, sounds like a lot of families have found a way to work around us...or at the very least work something out of us. :P
Good to know. Won't mess with you.... :O)
I hate to tell you this, Emily, but this could apply to anyone intensely absorbed in some sort of work, not just writers. How do I know? Because my Dad doesn't write, but he does fix and build things. And when he gets absorbed in his work, he's oblivious to the world around him. Dad's parents met because Dad's Dad, also not a writer, was the same way. And now here comes me, who can write but becomes oblivious to the world around me when I concentrate on anything-not just writing :)
Katia, I guess we'll just say there are special people out there in all fields. ;)
This is so true! If you approach a writer while they're in writing mode, they'll just turned those glazed eyes on you and not hear anything you're saying anyway. It's better to wait for a more opportune moment. (Of course with kids, that's usually when you're in the bathroom :D)
Thanks for your sweet comment over at my blog Blessed... today. I LOVED this post, the warning for others when approaching a writer. ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! I lead a writer's group in my area and plan on taking this to our next meeting and sharing it with them, along with your blog address.
Blessings friend.
Ha ha ha... I found you through Christine Bank's blog. I love this post. May I borrow it..at least your idea?
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