When I dreamed of being a writer, I had a seriously glamorous (wrong) picture of how it would be.
I imagined me, propped up in bed, possibly wearing red silk, surrounded by fluffy cushions, with long flowing ultra-shiny hair and immaculate makeup. I thought that I’d spend my days looking delicious and writing wonderful worlds filled with gorgeousness. I believed, I really believed, that my fingernails would be flawless and that I’d possibly have a pet poodle who, along with a personal butler, would come to visit every now and then to cheer me on and bring me cake.
I think I was possibly, just a teeny weenie bit, off the mark.
In reality, I sit on a wooden chair, in an office, in my house. My hair is often washed and then left to dry naturally. This means that I look exactly like Worzel Gummidge and could frighten small children. I wear baggy jeans (TM: writing pants), a range of tops (some with ‘humorous’ slogans), sheep slippers that go baa and never any makeup. (I know, I know, this image of me is truly delicious). I don’t have a pet poodle, or a personal butler and sometimes I can go hours without saying a word out loud. And, if that wasn’t all bad enough, (this is the bit that may shatter your spirit), but writing novels has made me bite my fingernails.
But… (and here comes the happily ever after twist), this week I have taken one step closer to becoming that ultimate bed-writer-lady. I am now the very proud owner of a Mini Dell netbook (hooray!) and so, from next week, I will be able to write in bed (and possibly in my pyjamas) (squeal).
I am truly excited, if not a little bit worried about bedsores.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
You mean… you mean… sob! I have to send my red silk pJs back to the shop??? Waaaah!
The writing life–and wardrobe–truly is glamorous! I rock jeans, hoodies/tshirts, and air dryed hair too.
Oh dear, I remember trying to do homework in bed during college: I always ended up asleep. Hopefully your nifty little netbook will help you achieve the dream (and save those nails, as they’ll be busy tap, tap, tapping).
I like the way you say you COULD frighten small children. Like ‘it’s possible, but I choose not to’.
)
Netbooks rock! Enjoy using yours.
I seem to remember that the best way to avoid/minimise bedsores is to turn over every so often.
Perhaps if this means that typing is difficult when you turn over, you could always hire a minion you could dictate to? (I mean dictate your writing, not act in a dictatorial manner, though clearly that’s your choice too)
I have a Samsung netbook and love it to bits.
My ‘uniform’ is baggy cut-off trousers of varying colours and ancient t-shirts. Comfort is key when it comes to sitting still for hours.
Writing trews are the way. Mine have space invaders on them and smell a bit like spilled Vimto most of the time.
Jon M – no honey, not if you have a butler.
Angie – clearly, we are wearing a uniform that rocks the world of glamour!
Beth – that would involve going outside… my children are used to the horror of my hair now!
trousers – I will ask my butler to turn me often (!). And as for the dictate/dictator…ooh the decisions that I must face!
Debs – netbooks are magic and, yes, it’s all about comfort! (my bed will be sooo comfortable!)
Matt – I want writing pants with space invaders on them!!!
xxx
all sounds painfully familiar Caroline! Jeans (check) ancient uggs, wet hair (check). If you throw in a sprinkle of mud and afghan hair you’ve got it nailed.
I don’t have writing pants or slippers that go ‘Baaaa’. I am at all times perfectly groomed and never go all day without actually getting dressed because I am writing. No really. I don’t.
I hope you still team your sparkly tiara with the pants?
I’m sorry hon but I have to say this…..I am really rather glad that you sit in your office wearing baggy jeans and looking like Worzel Gummidge (although I do find the Worzel Gummidge bit hard to believe!!) because the alternative image is a bit Barbara Cartland….and that is truly terrifying!!!
Am very jealous of your notebook!!
C x
Better change those pj’s for a silk nightgown, MaDopta.
Enjoy your new status and don’t forget to add this fact to your bio.
Loveya,
TaDopta
But writing in one’s nightwear is compulsory isn’t it? Please tell me it is.
Ooooooooooooo, red silk pj’s sound lovely. Must see if I can find a pair. I have a pair of cow slippers. They don’t moo, unfortunately, but they do have cute metal bells that jingle jangle.
Congrats on the laptop. I write on a laptop myself, a Durabook. It’s drop proof, shock proof, spill proof, perfect for the klutz like me.
But the other week, I went and got one of those tiny Acer laptops, less than half the size and weight of my big Durabook and I just love it. I can write while sitting on the couch and read ebooks. Just lovely.
Huggles,
Jamieson
A mini Dell it sounds like one of those horrid little round red “cheeses”. Can you write onto a little round red cheese, atleast it must go well with red silk pj’s. Have just finished a certain book but I won’t mention it here shhhhh!
Happy for you and…jealous, jealous, jealous, jealous ooooh and did I mention that I am just a teensy bit jealous? xo
Kate Lord Brown – a sprinkle of mud? I so think you’ve won additional glamour points!
Tam – sheesh! I forgot to mention my sparkly tiara and fairy wings!
Carol – but maybe I want to be Barbara Cartland
Deborah Rey – you sound like you’re talking from experience?
Silk nightgown it is!
Helen M Hunt – it is
Jamieson – I’ll go baaa and you jingle jangle. We are a perfect match!
sheepish – ha! I love those red cheeses. Maybe eating cheese should be brought into the image…
DJ Kirkby – I am jealous of me too, if that makes you feel better?
xxx
You can go hours without talking? You mean you don’t have conversations outloud to no-one?
Oh.
No; nor do I.
JJ – I have them inside my head…
I sit at the end of my bed (my office and my boudoir are one entity), jibber-jabber to myself, suckle cold coffee and look at a three storey flat outside of my window. Did I mention I try to ignore the dog that incessantly barks at nothing? Oh, and I try to put make-up on in the morning so when I do happen to chance upon myself in the mirror I look at least half-human.
That is every week day for me. But I do like the sound of silk…
Katie – oh the glamour! So glad that I’m not alone. x