Unusual Habits of Famous Authors – What Made Them Great?

When we think of literary masters, we often focus on their genius in crafting the most beautiful works of art that touch our souls. However, behind the scenes, these writers also had some unusual habits that helped them in their creative process. From taking long walks to sitting in absolute silence, these authors had their own unique ways of sparking their imagination.

Here are some of the weirdest writing habits of famous authors:

1. James Joyce – Writing While Lying Down

James Joyce was known for his complex and groundbreaking works like Ulysses and Finnegan’s Wake. But what many people might not know is that Joyce wrote most of his masterpieces while lying down on his stomach in bed. He believed that this unusual position allowed him to focus better and prevented him from falling asleep.

2. Virginia Woolf – Writing While Standing

While Joyce preferred to write while lying down, Woolf liked to do just the opposite. She enjoyed standing while writing, which allowed her to think more clearly and have better posture. She believed that sitting for long periods was bad for her back and her imagination.

3. Ernest Hemingway – Writing Standing Up

Hemingway was another author who preferred to write while standing. However, for him, it wasn’t just about posture but also about energy. He felt that standing allowed him to have more vitality and clarity of thought, making it easier to write his iconic novels such as The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms.

4. Truman Capote – Writing Lying Down

Like Joyce, Capote also enjoyed writing while lying down. However, he took the habit to the next level by writing in bed wearing his clothes and a hat. He believed that this practice allowed him to feel more relaxed and comfortable, which led to better writing.

5. Marcel Proust – Writing in Bed

Proust was a big believer in the importance of sleep and dreams, and his writing habits reflected this philosophy. He would write in bed in the morning before getting up, using his dreams as inspiration for his work. He believed that this allowed him to tap into his subconscious and come up with more creative ideas.

6. Friedrich Schiller – Keeping Rotten Apples in His Desk

Schiller, a German poet, and playwright, had a peculiar habit that involved keeping a drawer full of rotten apples in his desk. He believed that the scent of the rotting fruit helped him think better and stimulated his creativity.

7. Vladimir Nabokov – Writing on Index Cards

Nabokov, famous for his novel Lolita, had a unique method of writing. He would write all his ideas and notes on index cards and then shuffle them around, creating a new order for his book. This allowed him to experiment with different narrative structures and proved to be an effective method for his writing process.

8. Toni Morrison – Writing at Dawn

Morrison, the first black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, preferred to write very early in the morning, sometimes even before sunrise. She believed that the stillness and quiet of dawn allowed her to focus better, and her habit of getting up at 4AM helped her get a head start on her day.

9. Jack Kerouac – Writing Non-Stop

Kerouac, the author of On the Road, had a writing habit that was quite extreme. He would write non-stop for hours on end, fueled by coffee and benzedrine, and would only stop when he ran out of ideas. Although this practice was not recommended for everyone, it helped him produce works of artistic genius.

10. Maya Angelou – Writing in Hotel Rooms

Angelou, the author of the iconic autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, had a unique habit of writing in hotel rooms. She would rent a room for herself and her writing tools and would lock herself away until she finished a chapter. This allowed her to focus completely on her work and avoid distractions from the outside world.

In conclusion, these famous authors had peculiar and unusual writing habits, but they all shared the same goal – to produce the most beautiful works of art that would touch the hearts of their readers. By following their own unique methods, they were able to tap into their creativity and produce some of the greatest literary works of all time.