The Pen Is Mightier Than The Ink?
So, I've been thinking. What about, you might ask.
Books (obviously) and bookish quotes more specifically. I just discovered Contrariwise, a place where people can submit photos of their book/poetry/song inspired tattoos. It's pretty amazing. After perusing the site for quite some time, I was left feeling rather emotional but inspired.
Warning: Things are about to get personal up in here!
You probably don't know this but I have a tattoo. I got it when I was an impulsive and rebellious 19 year old. You know the story, the one where the girl goes out and defies every rule her parents give her despite having to suffer the consequences. Yeah. That was totally me. I won't delve into the reasoning behind exactly why I did it (a messy divorce + a fierce independent streak may have played a bit part), but I had my reasons. But didn't we all at that age? Shit. I was a teen living away from home for the first time --- what did they expect? Getting a tattoo was probably the craziest thing I did as a college student, so the way I see it, they got off pretty easy.
Anyway, I'd wanted a tattoo for quite some time so one day my friends and I decided to just go and do it. I won't lie --- it kinda hurt but I survived (and even have the video to prove it!). I walked out of the tattoo parlour with a black and white gothic dragon snaking up my right hip. Pretty bad ass, right? Eeeeh, maybe not when I'm 60 but at the time I didn't really care. Looking back now, I don't regret what I did but if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably choose something a little smarter. Saaaay, a literary quote, perhaps.
I know tatooing isn't for everyone but I find them to be a great form of self expression. They are works of art. There's something so personal and intimate about inking yourself up. I mean, tell me --- doesit get any more personal than making such a permanent statement for all to see on your phsycial self? Didn't think so. I love the feeling of freedom it gives you, the way you can express how you feel or who you are in a way that nobody else can. It differentiates you from the crowd and you can make it as public or personal as you choose.
Several of my friends have inspiring tattoos, many based off of books and some from song lyrics. After seeing their tattoos and looking at some of the ones on the interwebs, I've been really considering going back in for round 2. Only this time, I plan to do the smart thing and get something that sits close to my heart, something more meaningful, something of the bookish variety. It's true what they say --- tattoos are addictive. I still have a lot of thinking to do before I make the final decision but it's been creeping around at the back of my mind for awhile now. I don't know if/when I'll get it done but I'll be sure to share the photos if/when I do!
Meanwhile, here are just a few examples of some of my favourite bookish tattoos:
Do any of you have any tattoos? If so, what is it/are they? And if you were to get a(nother) tattoo, what books/movies/songs would inspire it? I'm thinking of something from Robert Frost, Edgar Allan Poe or Shakespeare. Sound off in the comments below!
Interesting post Nikki. When I was 20 years old, my father (deadbeat and absent most of my life) mailed me a money order for 50 dollars for Mother's Day. I was a young mom by 19. After thinking on it, I told hubby I wanted to cash the money order in and finally get something permanent from my absentee father. A tattoo. I got a small rose with it's stem piercing a heart on my ankle. I don't regret it and it hold sad meaning for me. Over a decade has passed and my dad still doesn't know he bought me a tattoo.
ReplyDeleteFunny enough, I've been toying with the idea of getting a Neruda quote on my back. I've even gone to the tattoo shop for sizing and pricing.
I hope you'll share pics of your new tat when you get it!
Oh wow, Naida. See, that's beautiful. And at least you got something meaningful. I don't regret getting my tattoo and I do still find it aesthetically pleasing, but if I had it to do over, I'd get something that was a bit more personal. And thanks for sharing your story.
DeleteThat's awesome! I can tell from your frequent Neruda posts, that a quote from one of his works would be perfect! Let me know if you end up doing it. You show yours, I'll show mine. :)
Oh, I TOTALLY want to get a tattoo too, Nikki!! Let's go together! I've always wanted one, but I've always been around family and friends who disapprove of tattoos, so I've never had the guts to do it. My husband thinks they are the stupidest thing ever invented:(
ReplyDeleteNow I feel like I'm too old, plus there are so many choices you have to make: where to put it? What to get? How big? I don't know how I'd ever decide:)
Good for you, I can't wait to see photos when you get it!
You're not alone, Tammy. While I had the full support of my dad on the tattoo thing, my mum and step-dad and rest of the family totally hate it. So does my hubby.
DeleteIt's a big decision, one that I'm still hemming and hauling over. But I'm totally down for a tattoo buddy so YES! LET'S DO THIS!
I too got a tattoo when I was younger, I think I was 18? Then I got my nose pierced and my belly button pierced. lol I don't overly love my tattoo but it isn't bad. I don't regret it.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I've been dying to get a new one and I know for sure it will be something bookish! I just can't decide and change my mind too much. The last one I was playing with was "One choice can transform you." The quote is from Divergent.
Nice! My mom hated the tattoo idea but my dad supported it so I got one. My dad hated the idea of a navel piercing but my mom didn't mind so I got one of those too. Such rebels, we are!
DeleteI really like that quote. Would you get a more stylized tattoo (like colourful and maybe all design-y) or just go for the straight up text?
I'm not sure. Maybe a little designy. I'm bad at making up my mind.
DeleteThat's okay, me too!
DeleteI don't have any tattoos and I think I'm too chicken to get one. But I think they're awesome, especially when they really mean something to a person. If I were going to get one, it would probably relate to my children in some way - obtusely - as in not their faces. Or I would get something literary based, because my other passion is books. But I'm so bad at coming up with something. I think I'd have to really believe in a design first. I just read a book called Deeper We Fall where one of the characters had a To Kill a Mockingbird inspired tattoo. That is my favorite book, so I was really excited that it was featured. I don't often see that book discussed in YA. Usually in YA books, the MC's favorite story is Wuthering Heights (ugh!). But I've gotten way off topic. Love these personal posts!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing, Lauren! And I think you're absolutely right --- you often see Pride & Prejudice or Wuthering Heights as the mentioned classics in modern literature. To Kill A Mockingbird (also one of my favs) gets too little lovin!
DeleteHa, glad to hear you're not the type of person to plaster anyone's face all over your body. For some reason, that seems so wrong to me. It's hard to think of something both super original and meaningful which is what I'm struggling with now. Either way, tats are super addictive!
One of those pictures is me! Shel Silverstein up my side!
ReplyDelete