With the holidays right around the corner, and all that comes along with it, like get-togethers, drowning in waves of presents, brightly colored wrapping paper, bows and glitter, you may find it hard to stick go your normal writing regimen. I know I have. And that is why I’m putting together a post about writing inspiration and motivation. We will hear from three very talented authors and their inspirations. Where do you find yours? Is it going off to be alone and listening to music? Taking a walk? Chocolate?
Here are some of my personal faves:
1. Get comfortable and kick off your shoes! I know it may sound silly, but being barefoot helps me to relax and sluff off the hustle and bustle of everyday life, especially during the holidays.(It also doesn’t hurt that I live in the desert where it’s 80-100 degrees most of the year!) So yes, here in the southwest, going barefoot is completely acceptable. So get comfy, and put on your coziest pair of pajama pants, kick off your shoes (or put on your fluffy bunny slippers, for those of you in colder climates) and get to writing!
2. Visualizing to music. I like to put on whatever music suits me at the moment (whether it be the classical Pachelbel’s Canon in D, or the hip-hop hit Let me Love you by Ne-YO.) I close my eyes and let the music take my imagination away, creating scenes of my novel in my head, like the trailer for a hit movie. It really is much cooler in you brain than it sounds! Haha! This is a great way to dream up new possible scenarios for your story. Warning: this can cause a goose bump effect.
3. Get some fresh air! After an all-day writing marathon (or even just a couple of hours), you just have to take a break. Leave your lap-top, pen and paper, and head outdoors or somewhere you can stretch your legs. I like to take a walk (well it’s really more like pacing up and down the street in front of my house where there is a gorgeous view of the mountains.) This is where I come up with some of my best ideas! As I walk, I take deep cleansing breaths-in between arguing plot points to myself. (My neighbors are probably like “there’s the crazy lady again, talking to herself.” LOL!)
And honestly, I feel more inspired to write during the holidays. I think it’s due to that warm fuzzy feeling created by all of the twinkling lights, warm fireplaces, and oh-so-good comfort foods. Unfortunately this is the busiest time of year for most people, and it can get a little hectic; all the more reason to come up with your own writing inspirations to help you get your creative juices flowing!
Now let’s hear from three amazing authors and learn about their writing inspirations and techniques.
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Mandy White, a horror/thriller novelist.
Mandy, why and when did you start writing? I have always enjoyed writing, but was shy about showing my work. Five years ago I started working as a freelance content writer and graduated to novel-writing from there.
What are your writing inspirations? And what motivates you? Any quiet time is good for inspiration, because I can escape into my head where the stories are. I work out a lot of story ideas while I’m walking my dog or driving.
Do you have a unique technique for writing motivation that someone may have never thought of? I do a lot of brainstorming while relaxing in a hot bath. I usually bring a pen and notebook with me and take notes whenever ideas come to me.
Oooh, a hot bath. That’s a great idea! Do you write during the holidays, and if so, how do you find time? I find writing is a good distraction from the stress of the holidays. We don’t have large family get-togethers, so our holiday season is reasonably sane. The best time for writing any time of year is early in the morning while the rest of the house is still asleep.
Quiet mornings are the best! Awesome ideas Mandy!
Her featured novel : Avenging Annabelle – A Canadian thriller
A desperate father seeks justice after his daughter is abducted and he is wrongly accused of the crime. Meanwhile, a dangerous predator is still on the loose, already making plans to take his next victim. Annabelle appears in Jim’s dreams, showing him things – things he doesn’t want to see but must if he is to solve the mystery of her disappearance and have his vengeance on the one responsible.
Thank you so much Mandy White! Now, how can we get our hands on your book, Avenging Annabelle? Avenging Annabelle is currently enrolled in Kindle Select, so the e-book is exclusive to Kindle at the moment here. Paperback and hardcover editions can be purchased from Lulu.com here.
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Jolea M. Harrison, an epic/fantasy and science fiction writer.
Why and when did you start writing? At a very young age I decided I had stories to tell. There were these constant images going through my head and so I started writing down what was going on in them. These images, sometimes just a single one, evolve into novels if I let them.
What are your writing inspirations? What gets you in the mood to write? Music inspires me to write, but I can’t listen to it when I’m writing. It’s too distracting, but if I get stuck in a scene I’ll turn on my iPod and listen to something new or music I haven’t listened to in a while. And movies – There will be times when I’m in a movie theater, watching the latest blockbuster and out of nowhere I’ll see something from the film that triggers my imagination and off I’ll go. The movie is forgotten. This can be extremely annoying…and expensive.
LOL! That can get expensive! Do you have a unique technique for writing motivation that someone may have never thought of? I live near Washington DC and go into town as often as I can and frequent the numerous art galleries there. One of my favorites is the Hirshhorn, as well as the Corcoran Gallery and the National Gallery of Art. These are places where quiet contemplation is encouraged, so I can sit in front of a sweeping masterpiece, I like landscapes, but sometimes portraits as well, and dream of what is happening and why. Nowadays I use my phone to jot down thoughts that come into my head. It’s great because no one looks at me oddly while I’m sitting there staring, when in fact, my mind is on another planet.
Wow! Art is a great idea for inspiration! Do you write during the holidays, and if so, how do you find time? I do some form of writing every day – whether it’s creation or editing or formatting – I’m usually immersed for some period of time in the creative process. Some may not think formatting especially creative, but coming up with the perfect look for your words qualifies in my mind. Writing is built into my daily schedule, so finding time for everything else becomes the problem. I still have to put up my Christmas decorations, and shop! I generally try to get all that done by Christmas Eve, lol.
Good luck on getting that Christmas shopping done, Jolea!
Her featured novel: Chosen – 1st book of the Guardians of the Word fantasy series
Chosen is a fantasy adventure – location; Hell, Purgatory, the Demon’s Lair, and Hell is everything it’s cracked up to be. Dynan Telaerin finds himself on a corpse-strewn hillside, charged with saving the soul of his ancestor, desperate to avoid the monsters and minions who want to eat his soul. Chosen is the first book of the series, The Guardians of the Word. The Chronicles are Chosen, Myth, Telepath, Legend, Union, Adept, Seer and King
Thank you so much! Now, where can we get your book, Chosen? You can pick up Chosen – a free digital e-book from Amazon and Barnes and Noble at these links: Amazon – here. Barnes and Noble here.
Thanks for having me on your blog! Your welcome Jolea Harrison!
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Mathieu Gallant, an open-minded multi-genre author, specializing in Science-Fiction and Apocalyptic and Horror.
Mathieu, why and when did you start writing? I’ve always been a writer at heart, but as chasing the dream of becoming a professional, I started about five years ago when I realized I might be able to finish the first draft of the book that would become Darkness Falls and When the Levee Breaks.
What are your writing inspirations? And what motivates you to write? I find inspiration in a dark, quiet room that allows me to really think deeply without interruptions. I think finding some time for quiet contemplation is a gift in the hustle and bustle of today’s wired world. I think more people should put time aside in their schedules to enjoy a bit of life unplugged.Also, I watch the news on TV, read news online and generally try to remain knowledgeable about the happenings in the world around me. I try to discuss the information I’ve gathered with others to get an idea of what people think about it.
Do you have a unique technique for writing motivation that someone may have never thought of? I find using a writing journal is an extremely important aspect of my inspirations, for a few reasons. First, writing ideas down means I won’t forget them later on. Second, sometimes the act of brainstorming in a journal can be the catalyst for new ideas. Also, I find writing by hand is a great way to counter that dreaded bout of writer’s block. When using the journal for this purpose, don’t be afraid to write ANYTHING that comes to mind. Jot it all down because you never know when something important will come out. Resist the urge to self-censor and just let it all out. You won’t be sorry.
A writing journal is a fantastic idea! I think I may try that myself. Do you write during the holidays, and if so, how do you find time? I’ll write any time I get the urge, holidays or not. Lately it seems there’s a lot of competition for my attention, so late nights are best for me. I love sitting at the kitchen table with the lights off, staring out my back window at the lights of the city. There’s plenty of inspiration there.
Great stuff from Mathieu Gallant! His featured novel.
Darkness Falls from the Outage series. It’s a mix of sci-fi and apocalyptic. Here’s the blurb, straight from Amazon:
Darkness Falls is a frame novel, a story within a story. Primarily, it tells the story of one man, Robert Hendricks. We first meet him in 2179 onboard an alien star ship approaching Earth. He is the lone human on the ship and it will be the first time he sees his planet in over 150 years. He has been away so long, in fact, that Hendricks has very little in the way of actual memories of his home. The only thing he knows for sure is that his feelings about going back are far from positive. This is a problem for his extra-terrestrial hosts, the Gulran. The Gulran have a growing interest in this sector of the galaxy and Earth is vital to their plan. With Hendricks as an ambassador the Gulrani High Arbitor, Gorak, thinks the mission has a good chance of success. Without the human’s help, he’s not so sure. In order to ensure a positive outcome – but also to help his troubled friend – Gorak hypnotizes Hendricks and, through his recollections, travels back with him to the Earth of 2026. For Hendricks, the end begins with a total blackout of North America. It doesn’t take long for him to learn that the line between order and chaos is as thin as a stream of electrons flowing down a copper wire.
Thank you so much Mathieu! Now, how can we get our hands on your book Darkness Falls? It can be downloaded at Amazon.com here. It’s also available in a few local bookstores in Saint John, New Brunswick.
The sequel to Darkness Falls, When the Levee Breaks, will be available soon after the new year.
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So now you’ve heard it from three amazing authors with really unique writing inspiration techniques; from relaxing in a hot bath to art gazing and keeping a writing journal. And don’t forget my favorite, kicking off your shoes! Haha!
If you have any other interesting methods of writing motivations and inspirations please leave a comment so others can take away that precious knowledge! Thanks for reading with us today and have a fantastic holiday!!
And may the power of words be with you!!
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JADE M PHILLIPS 