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1

Musical Inspiration

Posted by Silke on Sep 19, 2010 in Music, Writing

If you get stuck, why not pull out some records you haven't listened to in a while? (The longer it's been, the better.)
I often draw inspiration from a song. In fact, my novella Howl was inspired by a song of the same title.
I heard it and — there it was. Right there. Technicolor, 3D, HD, Surround Sound Stereo.
It took a week to write. I was on fire and couldn't stop. Late nights, early mornings… the words just poured out of my fingers. Another week to submit – and be accepted.
Sometimes it just happens. Smile
All that from hearing a song.

There are some other songs that will always get my creative juices flowing. Always. Without fail. I can sit there, earphones on, eyes closed… and the images just flow. I build on them, and usually get a scene into my head. I don't always use it, but it's there, ready for the taking.
If you have songs like that, cherish them. Keep them handy for those dry spells.
I listen to a lot of instrumental stuff when I write. Anything. I don't listen to the words anyway when I write. It's just background noise. Instrumental, whether it's classical or modern, soft and mellow or screaming rock guitars, it doesn't matter. Whatever floats your boat.
The mood of the music is what gets me thinking, not the words. (Well, sometimes the words, too. But while I write, lyrics don't register.)

Many writers make soundtracks for their stories – but how many of you use songs to find the story in the first place?
For me, what I listen to while I write is only mood music, not a soundtrack as such. I don't "designate" songs to a story. I'm way too fickle, and if I like a particular song, it'll be on repeat for the next 79 hours or so. (Much to my SO's despair lol)
It gets me going. It changes my mood. Sure, when I write sad stuff, I don't have "Happy happy fun fun" songs playing, nor do I play things that make you want to jump off a bridge, when I write action scenes. I could switch it round… Now there's a thought… I wonder what would happen. Wink

Look around you, listen.
Listen to everything, not just songs. Listen to the sound of the wind in the trees, the pelting rain against the window, the rumble of thunder. The neighbors barking dog may annoy you — but the barking might jog your mind. Ask yourself "What if this dog drove my heroine crazy? What if it were the first thing she hears when she wakes up, and the last thing before she puts a pillow over her head at night to drown it out?"
See? There's a story there, and you didn't even have to look far.
There are many sounds you can use for inspiration, but you have to consciously seek them out — and use them.

Silke

Silke writes paranormal romance, and knows a thing or two about things going bump in the night. Although it is usually her, creeping to the kitchen at O' Dawn Thirty to score another cup of coffee. She grew up in Germany, but her home of choice is in the UK, where she lives with her partner on the outskirts of London. Her first book Smitten is now available from Decadent Publishing.

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12

Dreams Do Come True…when you want it.

Posted by Clarissa Yip on Aug 27, 2010 in Bragging Rights, Goals, Life, Writing

 

 When I was a little girl, I used to bury my head in books all the time, from Babysitter's Club Series to R.L. Stine horrors, but my favorites were still romances. With an older sister, who read as fast as she could buy them, I was always hiding and waiting for her to come home with the big bag of books. Once she had her back turned, her books would miraculously disappear, but I learned to return them to her closet before she'd notice.

My mind would always run off and hide in these magical worlds–worlds of these amazing characters, relationships, whether family ties or emotional conflicts, I had a smile for each page I turned and would fall in love all over. Immersed in my own creative wonderland, my dreams blossomed. With each word I put on paper, I grew. With each vision I saw, I foresaw something bigger.

I'm not a writer born overnight. Writing since I was a child, I forged forward. The journey is open and fate is what you make of it.

Like anything in life, perseverance and determination fuels your goals in life. If you want something, go for it. Learn from it. Everything that happens only makes a person stronger.

As a writer, I've been through my ups and downs. My bazillion rejections and I'm still going. Results will reign in as long as you have faith.

My first release, Love by Auction, comes out Monday, August 30th, by Decadent Publishing. This is one of my many milestones and I'm very excited to share it with you.

That little girl with big dreams is still a part of me. This is only the beginning.

What are your dreams? Whether writing or life in general. Sometimes when you share, it's like making a wish.

 

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