Yesterday the weather was insane!
The sky darkened and clouds rolled and swirled about. Winds picked up, and then the rain started falling. Coming down in buckets is an understatement! Thunder boomed so loud the house shook. Lightening zipped across the sky in jagged streaks, lighting everything up around it.
Some areas flooded so high that people had to be rescued from their cars, and even parts of certain roads were closed. Hail started falling, making the sky look green mixed through the black. In some places the hail was the size of golf balls, in others the size of quarters, and where we were the size of marbles.
I loved every second of it.
It really put me in the mood to write a murder or suspense scene. That got me thinking about all the different types of scenes we write and how hard it can be at times to get yourself in the mood. I remember when I used to write romance. I'd light candles, have a glass of wine, and sometimes play soft music in the background as I'd sit down to write a love scene. Making your senses come alive and thinking sensual can really get the creative juices flowing.
I'm thinking it's the same with any genre or different type scenes. For mystery suspense, maybe watch a scary movie or read something intense, then dim the lights and put spooky music on. For dramatic scenes watch or read or listen to something that moves you first. Maybe for something cozy, have a cup of cocoa or tea, light a fire, curl up in something warm and fuzzy then type away.
I know some of these suggestions sound a bit silly, but I do have to wonder if there is some merit to them. Creativity really does take inspiration and a bit of getting yourself in the mood to write words of any kind. Heightening our senses with what we hear, what we see, and what we do can only help. From soft lighting and music for mellow scenes to bright light and peppy music for action scenes, etc. I know when I listen to rock music when I'm working out, it gets my heart pumping faster and makes me more "active." And when I listen to a great love song it makes me melt. Even things like Liz's hands on research HAD to put her in the mood to write when she got home from her cruise. The same thing happens when we get home from a conference. We are itching to put our fingers to our keyboards.
So tell me. What puts you in the mood to write? Do you do anything special? And do certain situations put you in the mood to write certain types of scenes?
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17 comments:
Okay, folks, let's get in the mood!
Let's hear your stories, or am I the only crazy writer out there :-)
I have to make myself goals for the week and sit down to make those. Once I sit and start writing, it begins to flow. Sometimes I do have to do a little retail research for my heroine;) Generally I'm always in the mood to write something.
Good idea with making goals, Tonya.
I'm always in the mood to write, too, but I really do love to see how far I can push my creativity with a little bit of something to inspire me :-)
My favorite in-the-mood story was for my first book. I was trying to write my first sex scene and nothing worked. It all came out - insert Part A into Part B. I tried every hint I had heard --the candlelight dinner, the sexy night before, etc. Nothing. I was getting desperate.
One Saturday morning my teenage daughter (see how long it's been since that first book!!) had an orthodontist visit to get her rubber bands tightened, a procedure that took 5 minutes at best. I'm sure I've mentioned before how I don't wait up this gorgeous!! And that day was no exception and I had no time to pretty up.
Anyway, I threw on a pair of shorts, brushed my teeth and headed out for her 10 am appointment. Once there, I sent her in while I sat in the car with my paper and pencil thinking I would jot down ideas for another scene.
Now , remember, this was Texas in August and the 5 minute appointment turned into a forty minute one.
By the time Nicole came out to the car, I was drenched...and I had my first sex scene written.
And you know what? To this day, not one word of it has changed!!
So, I say get inspiration however you can. I've said it before that writing is not for sissies. Sometimes I have to make myself do it. Then there are other times when I can't wait to get to my story. Those are the times that make it all worthwhile.
I'm with you, Kari. I always write some of my best stuff during storms. Rain and thunder are the best, but even a good snow storm can set the mood.
I think nature in general is a good muse for many writers. One writer I know loves waterfalls. She drives to the plunge basin and writes over the roar of the water, the bigger the falls I imagine the more intense the scene.
With the crazy weather we've been having here in CNY, it's a good time to write.
Depends, really. Sometime moving from my office to the screened in porch gets me going. Sometimes a movie. Or a walk or drive.
It's rare I listen to music, though.
Fun topic, Kari! I am the opposite of the "need music" group. I do my best with long walks in the woods near our house, time playing the "what if" game with my scenes, and---like Liz---I switch to pad and pencil for the overall brainstorming. Then it's back to the computer for the actual writing. Oh, and of course there is time in the shower or hot tub.
My last sex scene blossomed out of a song by Nickleback. LOL It was one of those spontaneous, can't-help-myself kind of scenes that just formed in my mind along with the rock-n-roll...
;o)
I don't generally do anything to get in the mood for writing a certain type of scene, but sometimes I'll be watching a movie, say something mysterious or paranormal, and it will really resonate with what I'm currently writing, and that can get me out of a slump. As far as writing in general, I can read a book, watch a movie, drive, sleep, all of it can stimulate me to write.
OMG Liz I can just picture you drenched in sweat writing away. And i too don't wake up this beautiful :-) I would have sat in the car for sure!
I love storms, Shane! I'll have to try the waterfall, though. That sounds cool!
I love trying a different location right in my house, too, EC. It just makes the whole experience feel different and gets me thinking.
I don't know how you do it, Cassy, or Liz either. I can't write by hand. I am so much faster on the computer, and my fingers cramp up writing. It would drive me crazy.
I love love LOVE Nickleback, Joni!
Don't you just love when that happens, Anita. You say something and it's like, oh wow. That just made me think of blah blah blah, and then you go write it down.
I've tried to set goals-failed. As a friend of mine once said, she knows who she is, I tend to be more of a sporatic writer, which I'm trying to cure. I'm trying to force myself to write at least a few words each day aiming to get my WIP done by September.
As for inspiration, I'd love to have a glass of wine when I write in particularly a murder scene. Red of course or a Bloody Mary. To bad I can't because I'm usually at my other job when I write.
Good for you, Lindsay. Set those goals and finish that WIP :-)
And I agree...red wine!
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