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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Romance of Paper-Crumpling Writers


My husband and I were watching the DVD version of Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence last Friday and there was a scene where Peter (a writer) crumpled up a piece of paper in utter disgust. He then tossed it into a trash can filled with similarly crumpled papers.

My husband turned to me with this giddy look on his face, “See? That! That’s great! I want to see you do that!”

Me: You want me to be more visibly frustrated? I don't have anything to crumple or throw. I work on a computer. 

Him (pouting): Well, I want you to do it anyway.

Me: Sorry. I just hit delete or open a new document.

Him: Well, I think you should just keep a stack of paper next to your computer, and every time you don’t like what you’ve written you should (he actually pantomimed the action for me) grab a piece of paper, crumple it up, and throw it in the trash. Just throw it really hard!

Me: What trash? You want me to throw it all the way to the kitchen trash can?

Him (waving his hands in angsty manner): You can have a separate trash can just for throwing.

Silence…watching the movie…

Me: I just feel like that would be environmentally irresponsible.

He continued to fester about it for awhile, letting go only when Peter started talking about truffle-hunting pigs.

It’s kind of nice to know he gets passionate about my writing on occasion, no matter how ridiculous the reason.

*If you're feeling like you're missing out on paper-tossing, here's a link to a Paper Toss game you can download for your iPhone...ah, technology :)   PAPER TOSS GAME for iPhones









28 comments:

  1. It's nice for him to be inspired, but only writers know you should never fully delete ANYTHING.

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  2. LOL
    That's awesome! I mean, that's seriously awesome. Now, I want to crumple up papers and throw them over my shoulder. Not into the trash, just all over the floor. heh

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    1. Yes! And then swim around in the big piles--like a writer's version of those rooms filled with plasic balls :)

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    2. Hey! That would be awesome! They should have those at writers' retreats!

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  3. Okay, the term, "There's an app for that" just took on new meaning. Whenever I'm done proofing a printed version of my work I perform the ceremonial paper rip and toss into the recycle bin. Hopefully that qualifies.

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  4. Too funny! I've never thought of whether it'd be fulfilling to throw some paper away. lol

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    1. I didn't think of it either. It's even funnier, because my husband is the one who would be fulfilled by ME doing the throwing. Weirdo hubby :)

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  5. Hilarious! But good to know the MR is so involved in your writing process!

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  6. Funny! He wants to SEE you working. Or frustrated. Hopefully working, though. :))

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    1. Yeah--I'm still not sure I understand what exactly he wanted to get out of that :)

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  7. HAHA funny:) Environmentally irresponsible. . . classic.

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  8. That's actually a really brilliant idea... minus you wanting to be environmentally responsible (which totes makes sense).

    It's a way to get out your anger without letting it fester (much like your husband was doing while trying to get you excited about it).

    I want to be more passionate about my writing. I want to get the drive back. The adoption has sucked the life out of me but I'm hoping I get myself back with the writing mojo soon!

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    1. You'll get that drive back~ you've got too many poignant & hilarious chick lit stories inside you not to get it back :)

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  9. How about collecting the unwanted junk mail you receive, keeping it by the computer, then crumpling and tossing a piece when required? Or old sections of the newspaper? I think we can figure out a way to make both you and your husband happy!

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  10. Great line about being..."environmentally irresponsible."

    Love when hubbies love to see us doing what we love...they know.

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  11. Haha! Isn't the writer supposed to be the romantic one? hehe

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  12. That's funny! Computer...apps...um, yeah no paper. LOL!

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  13. Oh, Jess, how I've missed you! I'm so happy to see you're back blogging - although I do hope your sister and her family are doing better.

    I loved this post and completely LOL at your "environmentally irresponsible" comment!

    Welcome back, Jess - hope you have a great Friday and weekend!

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  14. lol, that's precious. And yes, it's wonderful you have such a great support in your husband.

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  15. Ha! I LOVED that! So funny!

    You know, I have to admit, every once in a while I've yearned for a good piece of paper and a nearby trashcan when writing. Somehow it's not nearly as dramatic when I delete a troublesome passage. Especially since I often copy and paste it into a new file just in case. And even when I delete it all the way, it still lives on in my backups or in those little bits of the hard drive that never fully erase.

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