Normal: Eh, it was fine.
Midwit: 1,500-word monologue reiterating the Mary Sue article that said the comic book was better.
High: 3,000-word dissertation on the technical details.
VHIQ: Eh, it was fine.
UHIQ: What movie?
I can explain the latter process:
- The movie ends.
- Think about X scene or character.
- Think about how something like that might be useful in the book I am currently writing, or less frequently, thinking about the possibility of writing someday.
- Start mentally writing the dialogue or playing through the action sequence.
- Upon completion, think about what implications that little vignette will have for previous or subsequent scenes. Mentally note the more significant ones.
- Lights go on.
- Debate whether it would make sense to write the scene down upon returning home, or simply file it away mentally for later in the hopes that I actually recall it at some point. Regardless of what is decided, it is always mentally filed away for later. There is perhaps a 5 percent chance it will ever cross my mind again.
- Suddenly recall a previous idea that had been filed away for later, but never recollected. Consider whether it would have utility in the current book or not, then remember that the book for which the idea is applicable was published five years ago. Mentally shrug.
- Everyone stands up. Spacebunny says, “did you like the movie?”
- “What movie?” “The. One. We. Just. Saw.” The latter statement is usually accompanied by an eyeroll and eyelid flutter that is less a gesture of contempt and more one indicative of seriously questioning her life choices.