I can’t turn it off. My Writer Brain that is. And was I ever grateful when I learned that there are others out there like me, writers whose brains are constantly churning and creating stories.

This cartoon by Debbie Ridpath Ohi (who is also responsible for some of Judy Blume’s gorgeous new covers – how awesome is that!) is so accurate it’s frightening. A writer truly never gets a holiday. And that’s because we’re at Writer Brain’s beck and call. Even sleeping, I can’t catch a break. I dream about my current project or wake up with a thought or idea I have to write down.

Here are a few of my inappropriate Writer Brain moments.

1. Any moment where I don’t have a pen and paper or my phone to write/type it out!
2. In the middle of a conversation. Yes, this happens often. Sorry everyone.
3. At a funeral. I can’t help myself. Thoughts of character and life swirl through my brain.
4. When my husband is saying something profound. Sorry, honey. In my defense, he’s a creative brain too, always inventing things, so I’m sure he doesn’t listen to me all of the time either.
5. When my husband and I are disagreeing and one of us says something that triggers a moment where I think “Oh, that should be in a book.”At yoga when I’m supposed to not think. Yeah, right.
6. At yoga when I’m supposed to not think. Yeah, right.
7. During an intimate moment.
8. Cooking! I’ve almost killed dinner numerous times while stopping to ponder an idea or jot a thought down.
9. When I’m supposed to be working or focusing at a meeting.
10. After a couple of cocktails after which I can’t remember what my spark of creative genius even was.
11. At the beach when I’m supposed to be relaxing, see above cartoon.
12. Pretty much all the time.

When does your Writer-Brain jab you with an inappropriate idea or thought?