So many words. So little time.
Tag: writing inspiration
Today, on my day off, I should get some writing done. It’s on my to-do list. However…it’s not happening today. I’m tired from this chaotic, stressful week. My body still hasn’t adjusted to not having to get up so early, so I continue to wake up earlier than my alarm. Finals are this week.
Instead of forcing myself to write, I’m going to relax a bit this afternoon. Do some reading. Maybe watch some of the TV I have DVRed. Just rest.
Because sometimes you (and your Muse) just need a break.
I’m not an expert or anything–well, I’ve been writing for around 15 years, so a semi-expert?–but I do have a few tips for when you need writing inspiration. Give them a try if you’re stuck, hopefully they’ll work for you.
Music. For me, it requires music without lyrics, so I don’t get distracted (although sometimes Enya works). YouTube is a good place to find new things that fit whatever you’re working on. If you go to the Music page, you can find songs grouped by genres, themes, or or even seasons. This could be really useful if you need a soundtrack to get in the heads of your character. (And I really have to start using music when I write again. Duh…). Warning: YouTube is distracting, so you can end up watching tutorials on obscure or impossible subjects if you’re not careful, eating your writing time.
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Pictures. Specifically, pictures of beautiful, magical places (if you’re wondering what to write about), or pictures of the place you’re writing about (if you already know). For Chasing Shadows, my story set in New Orleans, I looked at tons of pictures from the city. I also–since I lived nearby at the time–visited the areas I was writing about (Yeah, I know that sounds like a convenient excuse to spend time in the Big Easy. It was. Perhaps that book needs editing…). Pinterest is a good place to find awesome, inspiring pictures. I have several boards for this. Warning: Pinterest can EAT YOUR LIFE, so you might want to set a timer or something to make sure you escape alive.
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Pay attention. Seriously. If you’re paying attention, you can find inspiration in the tiniest, most random things. My Muse loves to grab meaningless fragments and put them together. I can almost hear an audible click when this happens, and I know there’s a story idea brewing. This happened just a couple of weeks ago, working on my final essay for British Lit. I chose to re-write a scene from Morte Darthur from Guinevere’s POV. Boom! My Muse said “Hey wait, I’ve got an idea!” and suddenly my WIP isn’t quite enough to keep her occupied anymore, because she has a shiny new idea. (That will get written, I promise.) Just pay attention. Inspiration is like lightning. It strikes randomly.
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Any suggestions for getting or staying inspired? I’d love to hear them!
For my final paper in British Lit, I’m re-writing a scene from Le Morte Darthur from Guinevere’s POV. The Muse has decided to make Arthur the bad guy, and now has plans to turn this into a paranormal new/young adult (not for the paper itself, of course). I just wrote 500 words on this is about 15 minutes, so I know the Muse is loving the idea.
I already have two WIPs, Muse. I don’t exactly have time for a third one…
Chivalry is not dead. Yet.
When you’re tired and super busy and barely have time to think, much less write, it’s nice when God gives you a little nudge to get you motivated again. One of my classes this session is British Lit. Our final essay is due in about 2 1/2 weeks. One of the sample topics was to re-write a scene from Le Morte Darthur from Guinevere’s point of view.
Now, I’ve always wondered just what she was thinking, messing around with her husband’s best friend, when she knew her husband was renowned for his chivalrous ideas and principles, and she was surrounded by a bunch of men with animosity issues. So, naturally, the Muse really liked that idea. I checked with the prof to make sure it was okay to use one of the sample topics, and when she okayed it, I was thrilled. A final paper I’m actually excited about writing.
I got the first words down today. Only 100, but I have almost 3 weeks to write 1,000-1,500 words, so I think 100 words every couple of days will pretty much get me there without any forced writing sessions. And TBH…I still have no idea what she was thinking.
But it should be fun to find out.
Just a few pics I found that might provide some writing inspiration.
Beautiful. There, feeling inspired?
I’m pretty sure I can’t be the only person out there looking for ways to stay inspired. Naturally, while “researching” this topic, I hopped on Pinterest and found this list. (Seriously, Pinterest has the best pictures that my Muse likes to play with. I have a board entitled “Inspire Me: Toys for the Muse” where I collect them.) This list obviously isn’t a picture, but it has some great ideas. I’m fond of numbers 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 22, 26, and 27. What about you?
I haven’t done any writing or revisions in the past week. Mentally, I just wasn’t up to it. Before I experienced depression for myself, I never realized how much my emotions could affect my brain. Does that make sense? Okay, before depression, I never realized that I just kept plowing through, no matter my mental state. Now however…I’m pretty susceptible to my emotions throwing me off my game. Stress. Exhaustion. Tension. Anger. Not just depression. And no, I’m not depressed. But one of my patients died last week unexpectedly, someone I took care of for four years and chatted and joked with. I didn’t realize how much he lifted my spirits at 5 a.m., and I’m feeling his loss. That sadness makes it hard to focus on the words.
But I’m working on it. Words have power, after all, and strength is a positive thing.
Have you ever taken a break from writing?
I have. To be honest, the “break” I just finished up was more of a three-year hiatus than anything. There were a lot of reasons for it–depression, a major health issue, school–but that doesn’t make me feel any better about taking it.
The thing is, I miss writing. An ex of mine used to tell me I needed to write if I started getting too grumpy, and that’s probably true. (Kind of explains my moodiness lately, as well.) Blog-writing helps stave off the attitude somewhat, but getting eyeball-deep in fiction will almost for-sure “cure” the problem.
I’m eager to leap back into the thick of things, to pull a blanket of words over my head and just snuggle into them. Except, of course, I have no idea where I was going with the Siren story….
Not to mention, I want to revise Witches, and I haven’t touched it in years.
So, I think a bit of planning is in order, first. Wait. Pre-work. I meant pre-work. I already have a plan: do all the things! NO. No. I need an idea of where the story is going, first, before I dive in and start writing. Otherwise, I’ll end up with another 300,000-word monstrosity to revise.
Okay, new plan: HTRYN for Witches, brainstorm a general outline for the Siren story and work through HTTS for it. Okay. I have a plan.
Now I just need to implement it.
How is it that my to-do list is longer now than it was before the semester ended? Seriously? It’s summer. Aren’t I supposed to be relaxing and doing nothing? Ha. Hahahaha. Not so much.
On the up side, at least it isn’t full of homework! And 2/3 of the items on the list are now writing-related, so that’s a huge improvement. Granted, it’s not actual writing, but at least it’s related. I gotta have a little bit of relaxation, too, so there’s some of that. Planning on seeing the new Avengers movie later today. And hopefully a brief (3-mile) workout, too, if the weather will cooperate. I swear Noah will be here any minute, which makes it difficult to train for the 20+-mile hike of the Grand Canyon I’m going on…two weeks from tomorrow!
On a side note related to my to-do list…does anyone know anything about either elance.com or odesk.com? I’ve seen a few things, and I’m curious/interested. Just looking for a bit of hands-on info.
Have a blessed day!
This semester is finally over! I’m thrilled, to say the least. It’s funny, I couldn’t focus on writing with school stuff floating in the back of my brain, but the last two weeks, I’ve been feeling the writing itch going stronger, so I know the Muse is ready to get back to work. And so am I. This first “off” week, I plan to get everything situated and organized, and figure out exactly what I intend to work on this summer (Yes, I have to have a plan.). Then I’ll get started.
I can’t wait.
Tomorrow Is Another Day 