Friday, May 28, 2010

The Animation

I'm a very animated person.

I have the stereotypical folly of an Italian moving their hands when speaking. Not only do I move my hands, but the more excited I become, the more animated I grow. Pacing, moving about the house or my environment. I use a lot of space to keep up with my mind. If I sit still I wind up flubbing my thoughts, and am unable to focus on the conversation. Which annoys the conversationalee who thinks I'm not listening. I understand, I wouldn't want someone not paying attention when I spoke. So I move or do things to keep the conversation flowing. In my small circle of friends/family, Dramamine has been mandated from the conversational journeys I take them on.

I don't find this particular attribute to be irritating, and the good people in my life do what they can to cater to my special quirk.

Recently, I've noticed this habit incorporated through my writing. When I'm sitting in front of the keyboard, enmeshed within my story and stumble on what the next word will be, I start moving my hands if the subject in question is touch. I pull my face with the emotion of the character, I get goosebumps for a certain situation, hold my breathe with a character under tension, release a breathe in relief...shrug, wink, furrow my brows, etc...

Not only do I hear the characters voice, see the sights, smell the smells, but now I'm expressing their emotions. It's possible the characters are trying to over throw me and take my body for their own personal conquest in world domination...

Happy writing!

10 comments:

Aaron Polson said...

Maybe the characters are taking over...or maybe your writing is. I always think it's a plus to "feel" your characters that way.

Kara McElhinny said...

I do too Aaron! I think it's pretty neat!

Mailie said...

I do that when I read, and when I write. I do it in the car too. When I'm driving alone I tend to get really into my thoughts. I'll make faces, shrug, talk to myself. Driving seems to actually help me focus on things that are bothering me and begin working them out.

I never seem to have a problem with motion sickness when I talk to you. Maybe it's cause I sometimes move just as much.

Kara McElhinny said...

And that my dear, is one of the millions of reasons why we get a long so very much!! I miss you!!

Denise Baer said...

Very cute way you describe yourself. My family and friends could probably use a sedative for the way I hop subjects. I'm a subject hopper, and some just can't keep up with my switches. LOL!

In regards to animation, I have a funny story. I'm in Cancun at a resort with my cousin because she wanted to see the GooGoo Dolls. She loves Johnny Rzeznik. We walk into the hotel bar, I'm first and my cousin is following. She stops, turns her head to the left and Johnny is sitting there with a guy and woman. My cousin decides to walk up to him and introduce herself. She was so nervous. She walks over, and with a sweep of her hand knocks over the drinks on him.

And I, like anyone else would do, pretended I didn't know her. :D

mmcelhinny said...

Kitchen, hallway, living room, hallway, kitchen, hallway, kitchen.... You really are quite entertaining, especially when you're on the computer. :D

Kara McElhinny said...

:P

Kara McElhinny said...

That's a great story Bea! thanks for sharing!!

And, yes. My subject changes down shift and change direction very quickly. Some people have actually complained that they can't keep up *shrugs* Not my problem :D

Anonymous said...

I pace when I talk on the phone. A LOT. Almost in a frenzy. When I was in high school, a boyfriend once bought me a longer cord for my telephone so that I could walk around the entire room. Then I got my first cordless, and life changed forever! ;)

Your animation is part of your fantastic charm. It comes through not only in your writing, but in your every day posts. I quite enjoy it.

Kara McElhinny said...

{{Mercedes!}}

Thank you for the sweet words! I appreciate it. :D

(and of course, I enjoy your charms very much as well!)