You know you're a writer when...

1. You meet your child at the emergency room and (after you've ascertained that he's okay) you start to take mental notes about ER procedure in case one of your characters needs to go to the hospital.



2. You make a beautiful card for your sweetheart--and then realize it'd be a perfect craft for your favorite children's magazine.



3. You carry your notebook and pen on hikes, bike rides, runs, grocery shopping trips, and errands.



4. Occasionally, you scribble a great phrase on your palm because (horror!) you left your notebook behind.



5. When you go on vacation, you pack more books, pens, and notebooks than clothes.



6. In the middle of a big fight, you pause, thinking that you should note your physical reactions to use in that fight scene in your latest story.



7. When you're inspired by the beautiful fall foilage, you start experimenting with the use of synesthesia to describe the colors.



8. Your idea of a perfect afternoon involves a hammock, sunshine, and a pen and notebook.



9. You have personal pens. They are very, very important to you.



10. You use pens until they run out of ink on a regular basis.