The Writing Blues

There's a time when your bones ache and your fingers just won't move

The pen sits there on the paper and you just don't know what to do

The keyboard is collecting dust for days on end

That's how you know you've got it bad my friend

You've got the writing blues, the writing blues, when you've lost the muse, you've got the writing blues...

The writing spirit has been so fickle lately, every now and then I get inspired and scribble some things down and then its gone again. Ahh well. There is nothing wrong with having a break (as long as I don't give up!). It's time to fill the creative well, and there is nothing wrong with that. "Sometimes the arrow has to draw back to fly ahead." I'll be reading over Falcon Prince this month and try to get into editing mode, and I'll be posting some fun writing exercises to try. Yeah!

I know the muse will come again someday, and my writing blues will go away.

Writing with Music: Invoking the Muse

Do you like to write with music?

There are two groups of thought when it comes to writing and music. Some find music to be distracting and prefer quiet. I have to agree that sometimes silence is golden. There are times when the only sound I want to hear is the drum beat of my fingers on the keyboard. Usually, though, music is my best friend. It helps to create a writing mood and open the creative unconscious.

Many people find orchestrated film music to be helpful when they write. The music is composed to heighten the emotions, plus it doesn’t have any lyrics that might take you out of the writing zone.

Try various types of music and see how you feel. Different genres might have different effects. The harmonies of Loreena McKennitt or Azam Ali always seem to get my writing juices flowing.  Plus, it keeps background noises from bothering me so I can focus. Love songs help me with romance, and heavier music like Metal is great when I'm writing a fight scene.

Why not create a playlist of music that fits the mood of the story or scene you're working on? Story soundtracks can be very helpful in getting you in the right state of mind. The music can inspire and ignite new ideas for your work in progress. I have even created CDs of some of my story soundtracks to listen to in the car. 

Refill Your Creative Well

We expect ourselves to be go, go, go all of the time. We want to produce, we want to finish what we started. We don’t want to slow down. But, if we are constantly working our inner well begins to dry up and we feel worn out.

There is a natural rhythm to life. If we allow a little Winter’s rest into our soul, a new bounty of growth can come forth. Sometimes we need to take take a break from writing and have a day of renewal. A day to refill the well.

Does your well need refilling?

You feel exhausted

No words want to come out of you

You have lost steam

Its hard to think

The Writer's Cup

He’s hot, dark, rich, and nothing lures The Muse quite like him. I’m talking about Joe.

Cuppa Joe, that is.

I adore weekend mornings when I get to drink home brewed coffee. It is my first thought when I wake up. Coffay. I pad downstairs in my robe and pjs, and start the coffee maker. Soon the air is filled with the percolating sounds, and rich aroma of the nectar of life. That first cup is always the best. I like to put a ton of milk, and creamer in mine. Stir it slowly and watch the clouds swirl in a dark liquid dream. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top and I'm in Java Heaven.

I wrap my hands around the warm cup, and breathe in. Ahhhh bliss. Creamy, sweet, dark, hot-what a way to start the day. It energizes my derp-tarded brain, making me feel more awake. Coffee (or its lesser, tea) is the perfect companion to writing! A coffee ritual energizes and relaxes at the same time, getting you in the perfect mindset to write.

Some writers’ like my friend, even have a special cup that they only drink from when they write. What a great idea. Why not choose a special cup for your writing practice? :)

Sweet coffee, warm coffee

Tasty in my tum

Creamy coffee, happy coffee

Yum, yum, yum

Confession Session

Confession Time: So, my plan was to work on writing my novella this weekend – wow doesn’t that sound schmancy and cool? 

It all like, “Pardon me do you have any grey poupon? I’m going to work on my novella.” But then I’m going to tell you that I’m working on a paranormal romance about shape shifters in the Midwest, and it becomes, “Can you gimmie a down payment on a cheeseburger? I’m working on some smut, ya see?” 

Let’s get this straight once and for all; there is a big difference between smut and romance- even if uninformed minds don’t think so. Romance is all about true love, and deep, soul to soul tenderness and magic and rose petals, and sweet, tingly kisses. Smut is not!

So I’m trying to work on my story this morning, and here comes the Banes of Creativity. I can’t just turn on the computer and start typing, God no! I need to get some coffee first (aka writing juice).

OK, got my coffee. Now I should go upstairs and.. but I haven’t had breakfast yet, and you know it’s the most important meal of the day and I want PANCAKES! I should make some pancakes, but that takes effort, maybe I should go out for pancakes? Do you see where this is heading? To the fields of distraction, ruled by the evil overlord – The Distractinator.

Introduction

There are times when The Muse is inspired and writing can enchant a person’s soul. When you are in the writing zone and the ideas flow through you as fast as your fingers can move. There is something magical about it, and you feel spellbound by what you are are creating. The goal of this blog is to provide ideas, insights and exercises that will inspire The Muse.

This is a place of support and encouragement, to fuel the creative fire, and hopefully open a new chapter in your life as a writer.

So relax, have fun, and enjoy writing!

Andrea