by Joe MooreIs it just me or has anyone else noticed how hard it is to talk after spending so much time in front of a computer writing thousands of words? It seems that the longer I spend writing, the more my ability to speak with others has diminished. When I'm at a social gathering or pretty much any situation where I try to communicate verbally, I tend to open my mouth and stammer or stutter as fragments of thoughts shoot out like shrapnel. Talking with others in real-time doesn't allow me to craft my speak with first drafts, second drafts, rewrites, spell check, and thesaurus comparisons for alternative words. After all, I've spent hundreds of hours in a dark room with my eyes going buggy from the glow of my monitors while I labor over choosing just the right verb, avoiding passive voice, trying to catch myself from falling into the trap of using useless adverbs and flowery adjectives, over-writing, under-writing, starting my thoughts in the wrong place, line editing, plotting, split infinitives, dangling--well, you get the idea. As a writer, talking to others has become hard for me.
I find myself ordering pizza on the Internet from Papa Johns and Dominos so I don't have to talk to the person at the store. I send faxes, emails, text messages, IM, anything to get out of talking to someone. Talking has become painful. It seems that the more I write, the worse I speak. I open my mouth and people give me a pitiful, "I hope he writes better than he talks" stare.
Is this a byproduct of writing novels or is it just me loosing my ability to communicate with my mouth? Maybe I should consider voice recognition software. I wonder if those programs can interpret verbal gibberish? So, is it just me or what?
12 comments:
LOL! The same thing happens to me. I've used up all those active verbs and descriptive adjectives in my writing, so nothing's left but baby talk.
Boy, do I hear you! I have the same problem. I wish I knew a solution, I really do!
It's unanimous. Generally, I'm pretty articulate, but after I spend a great deal of time alone at the computer at one sitting, like on a weekend, I find I have to re-train my brain to think and speak on its feet. Especially when I return to the day job. Otherwise, there are big pauses in my speech (while I self-edit) and the attorneys look at me like I'm a dolt. I also find I prefer speaking with people on the phone more now. Not for the speech therapy, but for the human contact.
I guess I'm the contrarian. After a long session writing, I find myself desperate to talk to others -- the longer the session, the more I just want to chat, and I always have LOTS to say. I won't say I make any sense, but then when do I ever?
When I get the chance to go hang at my friend's cabin in the woods to write alone for a few days, by the time I get out into the world again, I pity whomever I stumble across first. Speed talking frenzy! I use actual words and everything!
I find myself talking in short declarative sentences. And always leaving the conversation with a cliff-hanger.... People must think me completely insane...
But ARE you insane? Tune in next week to find out...
Bill, I'll be curious to find out if I am indeed insane. I've often wondered....
You're a writer, ergo, you are not sane.
Just answer this question and tell me if by any normal definition you are sane.
1. Do you spend a specific portion of your day in the accompany of imaginary people?
I rest my case.
<< Do you spend a specific portion of your day in the accompany of imaginary people? Mark>>
Hey, wait--those are the folks who tell me that I'm completely sane.
And, Joe: I agree too. Especially about the "I hope she writes better than she talks" stare. Gad.
Been there so often.
What's wrong with imaginary people? What? What? Don't you see them, too?
I not only see them, Deb. I live with them and they accompany me everywhere. Can't seem to shake them. Not that I want to.
You mean I can cancel the neurological testing? Can we have our own Self Help group for "Writer's Babble" - that strange syndrome afflicting authors' articulation, particularly manifested during post-invasive episodes of crafting words?
I'd be lots more worried if I didn't have all these friends around me no matter where I went that are clearly articulate and conversant...Errrr....
Post a Comment