Has anyone ever told you being a writer is sexy?

sunandshadow · Jun 20, 2012

I've heard people describe being a musician, a visual artist, an actor, or a poet, as a sexy trait. Even someone who is good at telling entertaining anecdotes at parties. But I don't think I've ever actually heard anyone say that about novelists or short story writers. What about you all?

RichardGarfinkle · Jun 20, 2012

My wife has.
But I don't agree.
Visual artists on the other hand...

Miss Plum · Jun 20, 2012

Hah, considering how much time I spend in pajamas, face unwashed, no makeup . . .

thebloodfiend · Jun 20, 2012

You've never heard that? Really? I thought the sexy, alcohol addicted, troubled writer who looks like a grungy James Franco was a cliche. Perhaps I'm mixing him up with the sexy, alcohol addicted, wannabe architect who looks like Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

WildScribe · Jun 20, 2012

Most people just look at me like I'm crazy, and many of them edge away as if it's contagious after the following conversation:

"I'm a writer."
"No, but what do you do for your real job?"
"I'm a writer..."

Dreity · Jun 20, 2012

I was a dancer (tap, jazz, ballet) before I was a writer, and experience suggests that I have taken a few steps down on the sexy career ladder.

People used to make jokes to my husband about my flexibility *eyebrow waggle*, but I haven't heard anything along similar lines since I began to pursue writing seriously.

Funnily enough, my dad, a web developer/code monkey, seems most interested in and understanding of what I do more than anyone else. I never would have thought the two activities would have so much in common. It makes sense though. Both careers are often discussed by the public with either wide-eyed, ignorant amazement or over the top "you just ran over my dog and my 2 year old" rage.

lorna_w · Jun 20, 2012

rotflol

ladyleeona · Jun 20, 2012

Ha. No. Though if anyone ever did, I'd do my best to prove it to 'em

(In that I'd go, like, brush my teeth or something.)

Filigree · Jun 20, 2012

Never. But then, I usually just tell people I'm a commercial artist and technical writer. By the time I explain that I make art to match people's furniture and write grants for boring government projects, the askers have usually wandered away.

I guess things will be more interesting when I can say "I write erotic fantasy and science fiction. Sometimes with dudes banging dudes."

Mclesh · Jun 20, 2012

Miss Plum said:
Hah, considering how much time I spend in pajamas, face unwashed, no makeup . . .

This. Hahaha. My poor husband.

Nymtoc · Jun 20, 2012

WildScribe said:
Most people just look at me like I'm crazy, and many of them edge away as if it's contagious after the following conversation:

"I'm a writer."
"No, but what do you do for your real job."
"I'm a writer..."

WildScribe · Jun 20, 2012

Filigree said:
I guess things will be more interesting when I can say "I write erotic fantasy and science fiction. Sometimes with dudes banging dudes."

I totally think that's sexy!

Drachen Jager · Jun 20, 2012

Dreity said:
Funnily enough, my dad, a web developer/code monkey, seems most interested in and understanding of what I do more than anyone else. I never would have thought the two activities would have so much in common. It makes sense though. Both careers are often discussed by the public with either wide-eyed, ignorant amazement or over the top "you just ran over my dog and my 2 year old" rage.

They also both involve far more fixing of problems than "actual work".

Oh, and women hanging around all day in their pajamas with no make-up is my idea of sexy. But I guess I'm funny that way.

Mclesh · Jun 20, 2012

Drachen Jager said:
Oh, and women hanging around all day in their pajamas with no make-up is my idea of sexy. But I guess I'm funny that way.

You are now my favorite person.

Beachgirl · Jun 20, 2012

What's not sexy about bloodshot eyes, a carpel tunnel wrist brace and mumbling to myself? :Shrug:

willietheshakes · Jun 20, 2012

I decline to answer this question on the advice of my attorney.

lorna_w · Jun 20, 2012

I'll put up my old eyeglasses held together with a paper clip and unbrushed tangle of hair against your wrist brace and pajamas any day, ladies.

"What are you wearing, baby? yesterday's wrinkled shorts and that t-shirt with the hem ripped out? oooh, yum. Poverty totally turns me on. Now tell me about the past-sell-date bread you had for lunch. (pants)"

No, that's not yet happened to me. I'll let you know when it does.

triceretops · Jun 20, 2012

I dunno, teenage girls hug me a lot--no not my own. I think they're thrilled with the idea and most of them say they've never, ever met a real writer before. That's the reaction I get when company comes--huge families that know my sister.

Nothing sexy. Just misplaced hero worship.

tri--who'll take a hug any day.

Xelebes · Jun 20, 2012

WildScribe said:
Most people just look at me like I'm crazy, and many of them edge away as if it's contagious after the following conversation:

"I'm a writer."
"No, but what do you do for your real job?"
"I'm a writer..."

"I'm a technical writer. I write manuals for narrative projects as well as the narratives themselves."

Beachgirl · Jun 20, 2012

lorna_w said:
I'll put up my old eyeglasses held together with a paper clip and unbrushed tangle of hair against your wrist brace and pajamas any day, ladies.

"What are you wearing, baby? yesterday's wrinkled shorts and that t-shirt with the hem ripped out? oooh, yum. Poverty totally turns me on. Now tell me about the past-sell-date bread you had for lunch. (pants)"

No, that's not yet happened to me. I'll let you know when it does.

Manuel Royal · Jun 20, 2012

Reminds of this from the movie Finding Forrester:

Sean Connery said:
Writing [even] a bad book will get you laid.

lastlittlebird · Jun 20, 2012

This is making me think of an interview where Kevin Smith was talking with Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer.
At one point she left to go to the loo and Kevin started saying that since Neil is a writer, he had to have scripts prepared for when they have sex.
"It's never just let's do it, is it? It's more like, hang on... We're in a forest primeval... you're a fairy princess and I am a giant..."
I'm not sure if that makes writers sound more, or less sexy

Hilarious interview if you wanna check it out.

MysteryRiter · Jun 20, 2012

I think this wins thread of the month.

cmi0616 · Jun 20, 2012

Hmmm... there was this one girl in high school who edited for the school's literary magazine and was definitely into me because she'd read some of the pieces I wrote. I suppose that's the closest I've ever come to being told that my writing is "sexy".

I think there is something to the fact that writing is not out there for everyone to see in the way that acting or singing is. It's not something that you can personally show off or perform, really, at least not in the same manner as a guitarist or an artist might. A novel, especially, is a very private experience, and one that takes longer for somebody to experience than a song or a painting.

I wish writing was considered sexy though, I really do.

quicklime · Jun 20, 2012

sunandshadow said:
I've heard people describe being a musician, a visual artist, an actor, or a poet, as a sexy trait. Even someone who is good at telling entertaining anecdotes at parties. But I don't think I've ever actually heard anyone say that about novelists or short story writers. What about you all?

some have....either folks who know nothing about actual writing, or occasionally someone who thinks I'm better than I am

Has anyone ever told you being a writer is sexy?

Impractical Fantasy Animal

Second Edition and Second Laughter

Cory

Slave to the Wordcount

Confused Alien

fluently sarcastic grandma offender

Mildly Disturbing

It's too hot

Benefactor Member

Slave to the Wordcount

Professor of applied misanthropy

It's too hot

Not easily managed

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

Confused Alien

Delerium ex Ennui

Not easily managed

avem narrans

Murder isn't so bad...

all out of fucks to give