John Green has written such celebrated works as The Fault In Our Stars and Paper Towns, but not without sacrificing copious keyboards along the way. In a Huffington Post Live conversation on Thursday, the young adult novelist revealed his “weirdest” writing ritual: He develops working relationships with the keyboards at his desktop computer.
“I switch keyboards every draft and then if — here’s my problem — if something isn’t going well, I throw out the keyboard,” he confessed to host Nancy Redd.
“Keyboards are only like five bucks,” he added, but if a piece of writing is going well, he’ll “keep the keyboard.”
Strange habits
Last week, I mentioned the writing tools great authors use. Writers, though, are a notoriously strange and -often- superstitious bunch, as seen from Green’s example. For some more unusual work habits, you may refer to the excellent infographic below, also prepared by the talented Robert Morris and the lovely people over at NinjaEssays.com. So, what is your strange habit?
cjhwrites said:
If my house was of a size, I’d emulate Stephen King. As it’s not, I’ll have to stick with sitting in the back seat of my car with my laptop on a board across my knees. I think that’s curious enough to earmark me for greatness 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – I’m sold 😀
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Sue Coletta said:
Me too!
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The Story Reading Ape said:
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Charles Yallowitz said:
Envious of the offices, even the shed. Wonder if any great writers wrote sitting on a bed.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I’ll bet they did 😀
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Courtney M. Wendleton said:
Reblogged this on Books and More.
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PorterGirl said:
I write whilst eating. Any excuse to do more eating.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – I love this! 😀
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PorterGirl said:
😀
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Sean Sebastian White said:
So…
If I’m naked in bed – in the corner – in a shed, drunk, standing up… writing well – let us take part of this latter advice to the optimum logical conclusion; not on strips of paper, but the back of perhaps a thousand matchboxes.
Actually considering the inebriation suggestion alternatively “beer mats” then having taken ‘all’ this into consideration… I should undoubtedly be in line to write a flaming masterpiece!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Looks like we’ve finally cracked the secret of writing the perfect novel 😀
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macjam47 said:
Pajamas work well for me.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Ooh, I love pajamas… 😀
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cjhwrites said:
I like the idea but my household is too chaotic to write at home.
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macjam47 said:
It’s just my husband and me, so for the most part it’s quiet. When my kids were young it was a different matter.
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ErikaKind said:
Another great observation, Nicolas!!!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Aw, thank you, Erika! 🙂
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Sue Coletta said:
You mean writers actually get dressed? Huh. I thought PJs were the preferred attire. 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Now, whatever gave you that idea? (slipping out of his PJs to wear a proper shirt)
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merrildsmith said:
Definitely PJs. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I’m with you 🙂
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Sue Coletta said:
It’s funny, too, because lately my husband has been doing the laundry. I know, crazy, right? Anyway, he says to me, “You only have like three outfits dirty and they’re all PJs. Don’t you wear clothes anymore?” Yes, he’s observant, too. LOL
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Oops – busted! 😀
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Sue Coletta said:
Hahahaha! Yup.
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merrildsmith said:
Usually when my husband leaves for work, I’m in my PJs, and then when I get home from the gym, I often put on new ones when I get out of the shower. So when he gets home, I’m in them again. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
And you can see how observant he is: does he notice the fresh PJs?
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merrildsmith said:
Probably not. 🙂
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noelleg44 said:
Enjoyed this post, Nicholas. Not sure about writing naked, especially outside – think of the mosquito bites? not to mention the neighbors and their kids!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – yes, that’s not one I’m doing any time soon 😀
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SD Gates said:
I write on the patio, winter or summer. I can’t write inside, too claustrophobic, I feel like my thoughts are trapped in the four walls. Besides I hear the laundry shouting at me, but I cannot hear it out on the patio, only the birds and my dogs slumbering at my feet.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yes, loud laundry can be very annoying 😀
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Julian Froment said:
Another great post. I really enjoyed this, and the previous one on writing tools. I think it is very interesting to see some of the more unusual habits and traits associated with the greats. Seeing their process, in even a humorous manner, is always informative.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much! 🙂
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John W. Howell said:
Nice job, Nicholas
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much, John! 🙂
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Let's CUT the Crap! said:
In PJs with a pesky cat on my lap. No wonder I’m slow. 😛 😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Yes, but how much fun is writing that way 🙂
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Let's CUT the Crap! said:
He doesn’t always sit still and I have to get up for coffee all the time and then make trips down the hall and so on and so on… Then there’s one-finger typing with my left hand (I’m right-handed). Too funny. 😀
😀
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That’s hilarious 😀
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MRS N, the Author said:
I really enjoyed this too! As for me, in the winter I am usually wearing warm pj pants with a hoodie and black slippers. In the summer, I am in a tank top, shorts and purple flip flops. A cool drink is a must for me, no matter the weather, as thinking hard always makes me thirsty. 😉
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That sounds so comfy! Love it 🙂
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MRS N, the Author said:
I’ve gotta to be comfy. One of the perks of working from home. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Hear, hear! 🙂
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Bette A. Stevens said:
Enjoyed and shared! 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thank you so much! 🙂
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merrildsmith said:
That’s more of J.D. Salinger than I ever wanted to see. I’ve never been a fan. . .
I write in my kitchen–close to coffee and food. 🙂
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
I suspect that’s more of J.D. Salinger than anyone ever wanted to see! 😀
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elfkat said:
Reblogged this on Adventures and Musings of an Arch Druidess.
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C.E.Robinson said:
Nicholas, liked this one and the other writing tools! Sometimes clever posts like these are just what tired eyes need. Totally enjoyable. It’s PJs and lots of coffee for me! Christine
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
PJs seem to be everyone’s favorite (myself included) 😀
Robert Morris and NinjaEssyas.com have done a great job with these infographics. Thanks! 🙂
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Léa said:
William Carlos Williams wrote on prescription pads.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Lol – that’s a new one 😀
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Léa said:
Why wouldn’t he? He was a doctor. 😉
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
We’ll have to add it to the graph 🙂
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SleepyDragon1320 said:
Reblogged this on Sleepy Book Dragon and commented:
Any odd writing habits anyone? Me, I tend to edit and rewrite in the morning and write in the afternoon and the evening.
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doriandean said:
I write best on my couch with background noise in pajamas. Later at night is best, and when I am sleep deprived my brain actually seems to have more detail.
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
That’s fascinating! Mine just turns into mush.
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Patrick Jones said:
Great post, Nicholas!!
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Nicholas C. Rossis said:
Thanks, Patrick! Robert sure did create a lovely infographic 🙂
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