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A Moment in My Shoes

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Have you ever wondered what writers wear when writing? Do they dress up as if going to a day job at the office? (And might I just add that writing IS a day job—as well as a night job, and an early morning job—and I’m pretty sure most writers have their own offices too.)

I’m busy reading a manuscript for my wonderful crit partner, Jan Elder. The hero of this story is a famous historical romance author, and we’re talking Nicholas Sparks famous … Karen Kingsbury famous. Now, this writer hero has an unusual quirk when it comes to his craft—not only is some of the furniture in his secluded home a blast from the past, but this man likes to dress up in nineteenth century garb as he writes his stories with an antique dip pen on cream-colored paper at his antique desk.

I know of some authors who like to hand write their first draft. I’m not one of them. I’m pretty sure there are others who might also dress for the occasion to better connect with their characters. Again, not me. I’m more of a … well, I’ll tell you about that a little later. First, I’d like to show you something.

Oh my, when I stumbled across this photograph and memory on Facebook last week, it not only made me think about Jan’s story I’m reading, complete with a moose, it brought back wonderful memories. For the record, in case you’re wondering, this photo isn’t me on a writing day (even though it could be). I snapped the pic a few years ago on National Slipper Day when I still worked a day job in the corporate world.

National Slipper Day is celebrated on the second Friday of May every year, and it’s the day workers in South Africa get to kick off their high heels (or low ones in my case because my days of tottering around supported by only a narrow piece of plastic are long gone), and slip their feet into the comfort of their favorite nighttime footwear and pad about the office corridors for the next eight hours. Even scholars set their school shoes aside for a day to run about the classrooms and playgrounds with unicorns or emojis or animal claws adorning their feet. The best thing though, is that by supporting this wonderful initiative, the whole country gets to help children suffering from serious and terminal illnesses make their dreams come true.

I’ve always loved this one particular day in the office when we got to be just a little bit crazy.

After I gave up my day job to write full time, pretty much every day became a slipper day (or socks day, unless it’s summer, then it’s just a barefoot day). It also became a sweatpants day, a baggy jersey day, a no makeup day, a bad hair day. Oops, and I guess I just let the cat out of the bag about this writer’s work attire. Oh well, I’m far more concerned these days about what my characters wear and how they look to pay attention to my own appearance. After all, nobody sees me beavering away at my computer from the time hubby leaves for work until he gets home.

I’m so glad that God does not look at the outward appearance but at the heart, otherwise I’d be up the creek without the proverbial paddle.

While researching information about Slipper Day for this blog, I discovered that sadly, but not surprisingly, Slipper Day was postponed this year due to the coronavirus lockdown, and along with it, the fun and camaraderie of this event. But I was heartened to also read that the organizers of this Reach for a Dream initiative decided that dreams can’t be locked down, and so they held a Virtual Slipper Week … this week! However, even though I’m finally back home in my office, in my favorite Finnish slippers (or I could dig out my Hungarian Moose/Reindeer ones), I wasn’t able to join this virtual event because I couldn’t get the online registration to work (and then I completely forgot). But I did wear slippers and socks most days this week, except for Monday when I flew home after over five months away. I definitely didn’t want anything to mess up the reunion with my hubby, because one of two things could’ve happened if I showed up at Cape Town International airport in my slippers: either security would’ve thought I was an escaped COVID patient, or I could’ve added fuel to the rumor …

Perhaps both!

If you’re an author, why not share a little about your writing garb or quirks. And readers, we’d love to hear all about your favorite reading attire or corner. Or both.

Marion Ueckermann (70 Posts)

USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.


Comments

  2. I’ve never considered what writers wear when they are writing. A couple of authors have included references occasionally in their newsletters though. I know one friend dresses at home as if he was going into his office and in doing so his kids were overheard remarking one day, no, don’t talk to daddy he’s wearing work shirt, talk to him when he’s wearing home t’shirt, lol!!! Have a wonderful weekend.

  3. I’m usually in shorts and baggy tees in warm weather as I’m always outside working or inside cleaning and when not I’m curled in my favorite chair reading.

  5. I’m usually in my favorite attire, jeans! Even though it’s HOT in FL, I still live in my jeans. Once in awhile I’ll be in capris. I’m usually in sandals or slippers, unless it’s when I go for a massage, and then I’ll wear sneakers. I’m not in a hurry to get dressed on days I don’t have to go out of the house, so for online church tomorrow, I’ll probably still be in my pajamas! I have to admit, that’s one thing I like about online church! Mom and I decided we won’t go back to the actual building until there are no limitations, since she needs to be in a specific spot to see and hear.

  7. I’m all about comfort. Because of my head injury 10 years ago I usually don’t change out of my pajamas. No one knows the difference because I wear t-shirts and shorts to bed. Going bra-less is a must.

  8. If I’m going out in public, it’s jeans and a shirt with my hair fixed at least a bit With my contacts in. A day home writing, I’m all about the workout pants and either a loose tank or tee, glasses on for filtering the blue light. Either way I make sure to get up, dress, and straighten my hair and teeth. The process makes me feel ready to face the day and get to work (probably barefoot).

  9. Hey, if I’m not going to be on a zoom call, it doesn’t matter what I wear! Beware of the supervisor who calls you randomly throughout the day….

    Love national slipper day – what a great idea. Wonder if my office would embrace it?

  10. It’s always fun to hear what other writer’s wear to work. :) I dress for work. It gets me in the mindset. Make up and hair too.
    After business hours I change into sweats and a T-shirt.

  11. Well I live out on a ranch and I have “barn chore” clothes and if I’m going to town I wear jeans or a skirt with a T-shirt, depending on the weather.
    If I’m home writing or working with the animals I still wear a comfy T and have my hair and make-up done. Cowboy boots or flip-flips for outside and bare feet in the house. But winters can be harsh so sparkly pink slippers sit in the closet waiting for those months.

  12. I am always in comfortable clothing when I read. I read myself to sleep every night.

  23. I usually stay in my PJs all day every day, except on Sundays when we visit my in-laws. I wear comfortable shorts or capris in warm weather or sweatpants or flannel pants in winter. I wear comfortable T-shirts, usually ratty and hole-y, or the very occasional tanktop in super hot weather. (Sports bras at least–I need a little support!) If I get chilly, I throw on my ultra-comfy sweatshirt. I usually wear socks or my new slippers, but I wear them out quite fast. I can never seem to keep a pair of slippers for more than one season. I have found that instead of dressing to go out to work, if I just put on my tennis shoes, it tricks my mind into work mode, and I tend to be way more productive than just in socks or barefoot.

  27. I am all about wearing comfortable clothes and sitting in a recliner while reading! Thanks for sharing!

  28. I am definitely all about comfort. My favorite place to read is in my recliner with my chihuahua and quilt.

  29. Hi Marion,
    You already know that during the summer I LOVE to sit on my back deck and read. But did you know during the winter, I LOVE to sit near my fireplace with cozy socks and read too? If I could post a photo I would. I guess you’ll just have to look on my FB site and look for the photo. HEHE!
    I’m soooooo glad you’re home and able to spend as much time as you like with your wonderful husband! Take care dear lady!

  30. I love the idea of National Slipper Day! Sounds so fun! :) For reading, I’m all about being snuggled in a comfy spot (and don’t care much about attire), but for working (and especially working/studying from home) I need to be with my laptop at my desk and dressed in jeans, long-sleeved shirts and sweatshirt or jacket, in order to feel and be productive.

  32. Comfort is my main objective. Shorts and a t-shirt (jersey) and flip-flops on the feet. In the winter, the t-shirts are long sleeve and I switch to jeans and slippers. No special attire for writing, but since I spend time at my computer doing a lot of other things as well, I do need to make a mental shift of gears. Word processing software at full screen and my plotting software at the ready. I tend to get distracted easily so no music. Very often there is a large cup of coffee nearby, though.

    Here, in the US, we have a similar thing called the Make a Wish Foundation. They focus mostly on special experiences for young people dealing with major illnesses like cancer. I knew a fellow once, though, who had cancer as an adult. He was an amazing musician and they managed to connect him with his favorite jazz vocal quartet and they sang for him. Really very special.

  33. My favorite reading attire is jeans and a t-shirt and if I’m at home, I’m usually curled up on the couch or outside on the swing reading. If we’re camping, my favorite reading spot is my zero gravity camping chair.

  34. I like your slippers! I dont have anything like that, but I enjoy reading in a comfy chair with a cozy blanket.

  35. I never heard of National Slipper Day before. It sounds like a blast! And it’s for a good cause too.

  36. I curl up in my recliner with a blanket to read a book or I also read in bed before falling asleep (but usually stay up reading!).
    If i was an author, I thinkbit would be cool to dress up to get more into character.

  37. your national slipper day sounds like fun (I don’t actually own any slippers). I tend to be in bare feet or when its colder wear socks inside.
    I guess I wear comfortable clothes to do most things. I tend to get dressed each day even if I don’t have visitors (which is most days). So when I read it’s in comfortable clothing and 9 months of the year it would be barefoot.

  38. I love your slippers ❤️
    My favorite spot to read is my bed 🛌 so…I’m not telling what I’m wearing lol or not… 🤣

  42. Slipper Day is fun, and for such a good cause too. I totally agree with being dressed. I just can’t get to warranting shoes and makeup 😬

  43. I can totally relate to that, Abigail. When I still worked a day job, I would write from around 11pm until 3am, get 4-5 hours sleep then off to work for the day. I was so productive during those hours. I find myself so much more distracted writing during the day, but now that it’s my day job I try not to write at night.

  51. I enjoyed reading this post, I loved it! Thank you for letting us know about your awesome slipper day! I myself don’t wear slippers, I really don’t care for them, instead I wear slipper socks. During the summer I walk around the house in bare feet and when it starts getting cold, I will walk around in my socks or in my slipper socks. <3 I like to read at night before going to bed, I don't read in bed though, that wold be too comfortable. Have a Great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.

  52. I’m a reader, and most of the time I wear my socks with my cheetah print slippers, or if it’s too warm, just bare feet. Sometimes it’s a pair of socks too, but since I have wood floors, they tend to get dirty quick so it’s not often I do that.

    My favorite spot to read; my power reclining sofa. This was a gift my hubby and I gave ourselves this year….the sofa that is. We’ve been wanting one for SO many years, but they are so outrageously expense! Towards the end of last year, we went to the furniture place we always go to and stopped in the “discount” corner. Well behold! We found a beautiful full size microfiber chocolate brown reclining sofa with a pull down table in the middle for about $700! Of course we couldn’t pass it up :-) So it’s my favorite piece of furniture now & so comfortable. The other place I like to read, is in bed before I turn out the light.

    Thanks for sharing your favorite author attire Marion, I love your moose slippers! They look so fun and adorable :-)

  53. Love your comment about God not noticing our outward appearance! Right now my hair is definitely not the best!!

  55. Haha this was a fun post! I love your slippers! I have some worn out fluffy llama slippers that hubby got me for Christmas a couple years ago. Sadly the wars have been chewed off by my chihuahua, Beau. But the earless llamas are still comfy. I’m a stay at home wife and influencer/reviewer. I read and review books as well as try out products and rate them in online forums. I wear comfy LulaRoe T-shirt dresses almost every day of the week.

  58. Don’t worry, Linda, I think half the women in the world have the same problem. Our hairdressers only recently were allowed to open for business.

  63. I’m not a fiction writer, but I write academic papers. I love the sweatpants-slipper/barefoot – no make up combination for work. I usually work from home when I’m writing so that’s mandatory attire. I only go to school to teach or supervise students. (Now even those became sweatpants – slipper – no make up days).

  68. I’m a jeans and a t-shirt, curl up anywhere comfortable sort of reader. I just started back into the corporate world, and while I dress up, I don’t wear heels. Flats only for me.

  69. I’ve been working from home for a while with the virus and I still go through the same process every morning as I feel like I am ready for the day that way. I just don’t need to wear a suit everyday, much more relaxed but still with makeup, hair done etc in case I get an unexpected meeting or need to run out to the shops. So at the moment every day is a slipper day for me :). Having a national slipper day sounds like a fabulous idea.

  70. Love the slippers and I’m usually all about comfort. Especially since I walk around and stand a lot too for work. A pair of comfortable shoes is key

  75. I can read just about anywhere, but my favorite is to read outside during the twilight hours. Everything just seems so peaceful!

  76. This was the first time I have heard about slipper day. Interesting. I wear my silky ballerina slippers year round since I do not like to go barefoot. I usually sit in a corner chair in my guest bedroom to read.

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