BY SARAH HUNTER HYATT
I recently read a wonderful blog post about getting writing inspiration. It was called “31 Ways to Find Inspiration For Your Writing” by Leo Babauta for the blog writetodone.com. As I read through the long list of ways to get inspiration as a writer, I realized that I already do some of those things listed. However, it also gave me ideas to try new ones.
The dictionary describes inspiration as “the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, esp. to do something creative.” Inspiration for a writer, or the muse, as some would call it, is something that gives you story ideas, sparks new life into your narrative, helps you to work out plots problems or figure out complex characters.
One of the first things I do when starting a story is to research the area where the setting takes place. Most of the time I use fictitious towns, but always using a real city as my model.
The town I used in my short story, “Stunner” was based off of Astoria, Oregon; one of my favorite coastal cities. I always print off pictures of the town and tape them around my work space.
I love doing historical research. I want to learn the history of the place I’m writing about. Last year I was working on a paranormal novel and came across the most amazing, little known, history in the area where my story takes place. I decided that the historical events were so amazing, I scrubbed my original story line and re-wrote an outline based on the events of this little town. It is my current work in progress, called “Abandoned Grace.”
Once I decided the setting, time frame, and characters, I then find pictures that fit the story such as town pictures, forest scenes, people that resemble my characters, etc. I place the best ones on the wall and store the other ones in a folder for easy access. Pictures inspire me.
Movies and television can also be a great source of inspiration. When I had to change the setting for “Stunner,” my editor gave me the suggestion to watch a TV show which featured an old warehouse. Once I watched a few episodes, it gave me the visual I needed to write the scenes as believable. I also posted pictures of old warehouses to keep me on track when I was at my computer.
I recently saw a scene from a movie that made me think of a startling scene for my current work. Obviously, one has to be careful not to write a scene in a book where someone says, “I recognize this from that movie.” However, watching a scene that sparks your muse is something to take note of. Make it your own scene but use the thoughts and emotions from the movie or TV show to carry you through.
Books and music are also quite inspirational. Whenever I read a book with an excellent scene, I will highlight the part I like. This helps me learn how to use words more descriptively. After reading a good scene I tend to think, “Man, why didn’t I think of that?”
I almost always write with music on in the background. I have a “Book Writing” playlist that comes on whenever I begin. I find the playlist changes with each writing project I take on. Music helps me feel emotion. I have certain songs I like to play when I’m writing thrillers. It helps my whole body fit into the setting.
I live in a beautiful part of the country, the Pacific Northwest. Up here it’s green year round and I’m about ten minutes from the ocean. Giving me an easy way to enjoy the sounds and beauty of nature (when it’s dry enough, of course).
Getting away from world influences i.e. Facebook, Twitter, email, internet; keeps me from getting distracted, losing my focus, or getting lost in another project. I have to be careful not to have Facebook open when I’m writing, however, because every time an alert tone notifies me of a post, I can’t help but pop over to see what’s happening and before I know it, I’ve spent an hour watching a video of animals doing stupid human tricks. Let nature inspire you, no matter where you live.
I recently took on the challenge to keep a writing journal. I keep a notebook by my bed and when I first wake up I take 10-30 minutes writing. It’s hard to do it every single morning when you have kids to get ready for school or work but I do try to write several times a week. I had one morning where I woke up remembering a dream that fixed a major plot flaw and created a whole new scene for me. I couldn’t write fast enough to keep up with the muse flowing. Keeping a journal has proved to be useful!
From the blog post I read, something profound occurred to me. Mr. Babauta mentions “Breaking Routines.” For me, that statement broke the writing golden rule: pick a time to write and write every single day during that time. After taking a few deep breaths I think I understand what he means.
When I get into a routine, it can easy make my work go stagnant. If I change it up and maybe write in the morning instead, it could break up the entire day and arouse my mundane brain. This is something that I’m going to try for sure, especially if I run into that terrible writer’s block that we all hate. Change it up, that’s my new golden rule.
Whe Sarah’s not chasing toddlers, being Super Mom and abandoning the arid desert of Arizona for the rain-soaked mountains of Washington, she writes young adult adventures. Her short story, “Stunner”, appears in A Dash of Madness: a Thriller Anthology.
Follow Sarah on her blog, and on Twitter.