Yesterday was the first day of summer. We enjoyed the spring as we planted our flowers and appreciated the warmer air. Now we’re thinking about the beach and Fourth of July picnics. How many of our stories incorporate the sights, smells and experiences of the change of the seasons?
What does your writing space look like? Is it conducive to helping you crank out those pages in the morning? I’m enjoying the fact that my writing space is much improved since I moved to Colorado. There is a definite improvement in my productivity.
What inspires your muse? Is it your writing space, having your dog curled up at your feet, having a hot cup of coffee next to your computer, or maybe a photo of what you perceive your new protagonist to look like.
Sound seems to be a big one for a lot of writers. Some like complete silence, others like running water; still others are inspired by smells. Recently I’ve become enamored of aerosolized essential oils. I’ve always loved good smells but now I have blends that inspire specific moods. Even better.
Another thing for me is … wait for it … weather. Yeah, I’m a weather geek. It seems I moved to the right state for that. I heard someone say today, “If you use the heater and the AC in the same week, you live in Colorado.” So true. How about the same day? Today started at 59 degrees, will go up to 95, then back to 59. We will start with sun and end up with thunderstorms.
I feel inspired during a good thunderstorm. Clouds and wind, and even the presence of snow is inspiring. I consider how my characters fare in different weather environments. Did I mention I was a federal disaster worker? The aftermath of tornados, earthquakes and hurricanes are my livelihood. My current WIP has rain, flooding, an earthquake and a whole lot of hot California days.
What inspires your muse? I’d love to hear your favorite thing that gets the creative juices flowing.
Word by Word 
I have my routine: workout, breakfast, shower, diet dp and turn on the computer to dive in. I can be rewriting and something will flow from my fingertips to the screen and I swear, my work is improved. I’ve also been known to write on receipts and sticky notes and incorporate those items as well.
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Vicki, I so love your routine and your tenacity for sticking with it. I would venture a guess that the workout gets the brain cells firing!
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Inspiration can come from almost everywhere. I’ve been inspired by novels, movies, conversations, and dreams. Staying open is key!
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Joanne, that’s the best idea ever. Staying open is hard when your mind is on overload but that’s really good point!
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Hi Sam, great post! I think incorporating sights, sounds, textures, tastes, all of it fully immerses the reader into the world you’re trying to paint for them. Something you do a fantastic job with, by the way!
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Thanks for the kudos. I know someone in our critique group who would always tell me I needed more “setting the scene” with sights and smells. Going back through edits now I’m trying to remember that. Even though you perceive them in your head, you need to translate them to the page.
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Writing my latest book is all about the music. I’ve built a youtube playlist of over a hundred song and the minute it starts to play, my hand start moving on the keys 🙂
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Kat, Ive been thinking about that. It’s something I want to do more of but need to find what I need for various moods. Maybe you can help me with that when I see you in a few weeks!
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Great post, Sam! Love your approach to writing and using a variety of muses to crank out the words. Music is the constant for me. The type really depends on the scene I’m writing. Referring to pictures (Pinterest or my own photos of the setting) is a big must. Snacks and a scented candle is often close by. Thanks for sharing!
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Steph, it sounds like you and Kat have the right idea. It sounds like you engage all your senses. I’m big on scents. I’m going to work more with music. I’d love to know your favorites.
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Music! I’ve gotten into creating playlists for specific stories and I find it a great way to keep in touch with the story even when I can’t find the time to write – which is happening way too often lately 😦
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Hi Roisin, thanks for dropping by our group blog! Music seems pretty popular with our writers. I have to have silence myself. Guess it’s like patting my head and rubbing my tummy, I get easily confused, lol
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Roisin, love that name! You made me think about how much music will key certain memories like that first boyfriend (who, unfortunately ended up being a dweeb). At one point I was playing with the idea that if my book was a movie, what would the soundtrack be like. I already have that set up when Hollywood calls, LOL. Thanks for dropping by!
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Sam – if I hear a song from my teenage years – it brings me straight back to that time! I feel all the intensity and emotions again!
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Ha ha ha! Jacquie – I can’t listen to the music when I’m writing! The tiniest distraction is enough. A friend of mine once told me that a fly crawling up the wall was enough to distract me – she wasn’t wrong! Attention span of a flea!
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I can so relate. Concentration is sometimes my biggest issue. Visual distractions are the worst!
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