Scenes can be difficult for various reasons. It can be because of writer's block, it's emotional or it's traumatic. Sometimes I think the emotional and traumatic ones create its own form of writer's block. The thing is, these scenes can either cause me to type frantically or sit in a daze. It's not that I don't know what to write, but rather, it's hard to articulate it. I hesitate to say "right", but sometimes that how it feels. It's not that I'm looking for the exact words to be perfect on the screen, it's just literally hard to talk about. My characters are struggling in an uncomfortable moment in their lives and just like any of us in that situation, we search for the best way to explain to someone how we're feeling or what we're thinking. There's a reason why we avoid topics with our friends and family. It's too awkward to talk about, even if we should.
Other times, it's so emotional and like a frantic outpouring of emotions and words. I can't control the rate in which the characters are talking. All I can do is try to type faster. And sometimes I cry because I can't believe what's happening and it's all completely out of my control.
But right now, I'm in an awkward scene. My characters and I will be glad when this one is done.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Music and Writing
Some people find inspiration in music. I'm not sure if I'm one of those people. I find it very difficult to think when music is playing. Let me clarify - music with lyrics is playing. I like to sing along with songs. I do enjoy music - a lot. But if there are words - especially those that I know - my brain automatically gets the pattern and I can't concentrate on anything else. It's the same reason why I could never listen to music when I was studying - ever.
When I drive to work I like to listen to musical scores, so I can think. See my characters. Hear them. Write in my head. It's my routine. Doesn't work when there's someone else in the car, because there's always the pull to talk to the other person. That's not bad. Just not condusive to writing.
But I do like listening to "regular" songs. Current ones, "older" ones. I have massive playlist (called "Misc") on my iTunes that I play during class. Students like working to music - it helps them focus, provides more energy in the classroom. In this playlist there are songs from when I was in junior high / high school through today. Very ecclectic. There's a bunch that students have suggested to me. There are songs that I've found that if there was a soundtrack to my books, it would definitely be on it.
I do have a playlist that is my "soundtrack". These songs didn't inspire me to write, it's more like, "Hey! That captures a scene/feeling/moment in the book!" There's a song that's been a favorite since it came out when I was in high school. I've heard it many times since - especially since I started playing music in my classroom. It's a New Kids on the Block song. All of a sudden, it clicked. It was very fitting for a future book in my series. If my book was turned into a movie, it would definitely have to be in it. Well, the future book. I have written "future" chapters, although that book is far from completed. But I do it as number 8 or 12 in the series. Now, whenever I hear this NKOTB song, I definitely think of my characters and that future moment in their lives. I get transported to it. After the song is done, my mind wanders more to what might happen next or what happens just before it.
I still don't think the music inspires me, but (as it does in movies) enhances certain moments. I don't think I'll see the song the same way.
When I drive to work I like to listen to musical scores, so I can think. See my characters. Hear them. Write in my head. It's my routine. Doesn't work when there's someone else in the car, because there's always the pull to talk to the other person. That's not bad. Just not condusive to writing.
But I do like listening to "regular" songs. Current ones, "older" ones. I have massive playlist (called "Misc") on my iTunes that I play during class. Students like working to music - it helps them focus, provides more energy in the classroom. In this playlist there are songs from when I was in junior high / high school through today. Very ecclectic. There's a bunch that students have suggested to me. There are songs that I've found that if there was a soundtrack to my books, it would definitely be on it.
I do have a playlist that is my "soundtrack". These songs didn't inspire me to write, it's more like, "Hey! That captures a scene/feeling/moment in the book!" There's a song that's been a favorite since it came out when I was in high school. I've heard it many times since - especially since I started playing music in my classroom. It's a New Kids on the Block song. All of a sudden, it clicked. It was very fitting for a future book in my series. If my book was turned into a movie, it would definitely have to be in it. Well, the future book. I have written "future" chapters, although that book is far from completed. But I do it as number 8 or 12 in the series. Now, whenever I hear this NKOTB song, I definitely think of my characters and that future moment in their lives. I get transported to it. After the song is done, my mind wanders more to what might happen next or what happens just before it.
I still don't think the music inspires me, but (as it does in movies) enhances certain moments. I don't think I'll see the song the same way.
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