My fellow creative buddies...

[fantastic_jackie]

Is there anything more infuriating than someone peeking over your shoulder during the creative process?

For me, though the over-the-shoulder peering happens on occasion, it's usually more characterized by a question: "Are you writing?" or "What are you writing?" or "How's it coming?"

I didn't used to mind the last one... But once you give someone a very vague, generalized answer ("Oh, you know. It's coming. It's all in the journey." Exactly how do you answer that question, anyway?), they start to want more.

Until their questions really mean: "Why are you so secretive?"

Gee, I don't know! Maybe because when I'm doing this, my intention is to eventually expose myself in a carefully crafted way on MY terms when I'm ready. Maybe I'm not comfortable being completely exposed as I slop my way through jotting initial messy thoughts and descriptions and ideas. Maybe I don't like people to see, "Oh, man. That really sucks right there. You trying to convey an emotion with that? You've gotta... you've gotta reword that. Yeah, that sucks." It's a placeholder for me that no one's ever supposed to see!

Even if their questions don't mean to be a sneaky request for juicy details, I snap faster than... some metaphor or similie that I'm not going to contemplate!

It's not conversational!

And it sure isn't me being secretive! It's me being private!

Comments

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

I hate answering questions about my writing in general. Don't ask me what I'm writing about, don't ask me when you'll get to read it. Just assume I'm writing and that you'll get to read it if you see it at B&N. lol

We're so misunderstood. ;)

[patriot-jackie.livejournal.com]

Exactly. The only people for whom I'm comfortable answering those questions are other writers. Common threads of understanding inspire confidence, I suppose. That, and they often ask questions that are answerable.

[xxdesert-rose.livejournal.com]

*points to your post* This is why I avoid writing when anyone is around unless they know I like to write. For the most part, I write best when I'm home alone and can be as crazy as I want when I'm writing.

[patriot-jackie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, see... I'll be wrtiting on my own in my room, completely engrossed in whatever world it happens to be at the time, when my mom walks in and starts asking all the questions.

And when I refuse to answer a single one and just stare dejectedly at the computer screen, (because you can't write with someone there, asking you irritating questions and becoming upset that you refuse to answer them), she has a royal fit and goes off on how mean and selfish I am "sometimes."

Which seriously ticks me off, because the past few weeks, she's interrupted me so many times while I've been writing or even sleeping to help her do job applications and write her resume! It's a freaking part time job doing all that for her, and I'm the only one who helps!

*sigh* Btw, I'm messing with vacation days at work, looking for the best possible dates that I won't have to worry about being snatched away...