SAMBA OF THE STORY by Janice M. Wilson

(links below pics)

Rise!

If only life came with background music!   I think everyone would be a writer if that was true. 

Soft lullabies woo babies asleep.   A song played and sang with a foreign beat and language puts a mind back to an unforgettable trip overseas, or in the arms of loved ones.

Understandably, certain beats and lyrics playing at a particular scene is the perfect time to write out those feelings!

Music and natural sounds (yes, outdoors at a picnic table) gets me in a ready state of mind for writing better than any movie or television show could possibly approach. 

Music is a universal language we all feel 

and move to no matter who we are. 

Music affects almost all of the brain at the same time, connecting thoughts and feelings that would normally stay in different lobes which stirs up creativity from exciting different emotions or soothing over the world’s noises or our personal problems we are experiencing.

I can believe it.  Just put the jams on all day and it’s very likely I will write (start to finish) a lengthy piece by the end of the day.  Thank God for those great collections of all genres found on Youtube.com, iHeart, Spotify, Pandora, satellite radio (so many others) to be played for hours in just one click!

Focus on the place

Music often transports me to another place, most often in a balmy beachy place but I can be entranced to dream of a cool shady forest as well.  The right beat can ease my writing mind into leaving sandy foot prints on the pages much better and often for a longer duration than an inspiring picture. If I play something like Brazilian Bebel Gilberto’s Tanto Tiempo, at the very least I want to drag out my second novel which started with the Florida Keys as a backdrop.

Bebel Gilberto shares Samba da Benção

Speaking of place, playing the music of where your characters need to be in your novel is where it starts to get interesting.   Yes, gaze at that picture with the right music and – you’re there in spirit!  Your refreshed description will transport your reader there as well.

Who doesn’t speak Jamaican when we hear Bob Marley’s Jammin’?  There are not too many folks who are not immediately affected by some great reggae music!  Pass me the margarita pitcher, please!

Bob Marley's Jammin' (Live)

Focus on the senses

I heard The Boys of Summer in the car the other day and couldn’t wait to get home to write.  Why?  I felt 17 again!  I could smell the Giorgio perfume I was wearing those days, Miami Vice jackets on the guys (oh, that young Don Johnson set the heart on fire!)  Right there in the prime of life, I was young, slim, tanned and very hopeful for a gorgeous life ahead!   

The Boys of Summer (Don Henley)

What did I work on that day?   My young adult novel, remembering how everything was so new and the world so big an exciting, and I couldn’t wait to dip my toes in it.   I wanted my characters Jim and Bess to experience that too in the novel – and my young adult readers.

RUN by Snow Patrol

One song can transport a person’s mind all the sensual delights from a particular time and live it again in your mind. 

This is a great time to jot down some 

showing details for your work in progress. 

Find out what song does that for you and play it a few times.  Then tell me if you don’t itch to recapture those delicious details on paper!

Focus on the mood

So I come across a pivotal danger scene or a big lover’s quarrel that needs to jump off the pages.  No problem normally.  Except that day I was in a particularly happy and sexy mood.  THAT’S a big problem.

Do I stop current project at that scene or skip ahead and write out some lovey-dovey steam scenes? Sade helps me out with that, or Whitney Houston. 

Whitney sings I Will Always Love You

(I would certainly feel safe in his arms, too!)

Classic jazz will always put me in that mood, especially.  Love those happy songs that were played before the tv era, cheering everyone up during the wars!   I do enjoy writing out a good vibe for a little while because who would want to kill off a great mood?  But if I’m not sure where the scenes are going, I might pull out another work for that kind of mood and let the lovers have their way. 

In The Mood - Andrew Sisters

In nostalgic moments, I fiddle with nature writings as John Denver shares some of that Rocky Mountain High through the speakers.  Listening to Chopin or Beethoven skillfully strummed out of my speakers and I’m mentally driving down a windy country road in autumn.  The mood is set.

Chopin's Nocturne Op 9, No. 2

But back to the epic drama scene I can’t put off forever.  If I need instant anger, let me pull out some songs that remind me of some less than favorable love affairs and breakups. For some reason, the soundtrack from Braveheart or a few of those sexy James Bond theme songs can bring out the fightin’ Irish within.  Then – I’m ready! (ding!)

FREEEEEEEEDOMMMMM !!

Focus on the inspiration

I have this novel sitting impatiently aside waiting for a good editor (and money to pay an editor – LOL) which was written towards young adult Christian folks, with hopes to inspire thinking first before making impulsive actions, among other things.  That required a lot of action and drama to keep the young readers interested (includes smoke jumpers and big deadly fires) to show consequences.  This time I needed some pretty hip fast action music. 

One Republic came to the rescue just in time with Counting Stars. 

Counting Stars (OneRepublic)

I couldn’t type fast enough and finished it in record time with the positive youthful vision and energy.   

Eddie Vedder’s solo-project Into the Wild soundtrack also gave some good insight. 

A Big Hard Sun (Into The Wild Soundtrack)

I will write for hours on their positive vibes.  (Getting better at singing it too!  Lol)

Focus on the moral

My personal blog (soothingprose.com) is usually about Christian moral lessons and integrating grace into real life using the memories from songs I had gleaned from prayer and prior life situations.

Also – when I get sick of the world and its violence and politics sometimes I seek shelter under some fabulous old hymns, both at church and home.  There are so many great messages in them and no contemporary Christian music moves me like the messages of faith and hope as the old songs can. 

How Great Thou Art by Carrie Underwood w/ Vince Gill

Maybe your moral isn’t from a religious influence but you have one of love & revenge, justice, or grave injustices just the same.  A strong song can set that mood to write out the anger, the pain or the joy of seeing justice done.  You may be up all night writing on that tune.

Even flowing sounds that blend into each other and pique our dreamy minds (impressionists/ New Age).  It is a proven fact that playing clear and transparent (classical) music while writing or studying sharpens our memory and our logical thinking skills.   

Repetitive chords help us focus.

What else works for me is playing something patriotic - that sets my heart immediately in the right place! 

Alan Jackson's Star Spangled Banner

Focus on the impact

As far as the science of musical effects on our brains, a slower beat is considered anything under 60 BPMs, and exciting ones to invoke energy is over that.  

The best creativity invoking music is 

suggested between 50- 70 BPMs.

Songs are often written through the blood-sweat-tears experiences from musicians, and that’s not much different from us.  We put it on paper so the reader can sing and sail right through the imagines we create in their minds.  Musicians assail through their fans’ ears.  They also have to write all the words down and say so much more in such less space and time to convey their message.  This forces them to keep it a certain length for each genre of music, repetition, and the appropriate mood-invoking beat.

Eddie Vedder singing Guaranteed (live)

That point right there can be accomplished for writers by listening to that music the musician artists wrote and composed.  Focus on the point of the story and your impact by allowing the music to create a sensual and heartfelt (or exciting and dangerous) world for your reader.

Honestly, I don’t know many writers who don’t use music (before, during or after) to help their creativity soar.  Here are a few famous authors and what they listened to as they wrote their best sellers:

David Dobbs – a lot of Bach

Haruki Murakamih – Beach Boys/Springsteen

Gabriel García Márquez – The Beatles

Stephen King - Ryan Adams, Wilco, Alison Krauss, and Bob Dylan, LCD Soundsystem

J.K. Rowling – The Beatles, The Smiths

Doris Lessing: Phillip Glass

Who wouldn’t be inspired by this, one of the most popular romantic operas of all time:

Music of the Night sung by Gerard Butler

I know, I know it’s just a beautiful man’s picture but he does sing!

Please feel free to share what music you listen to when writing, and what is inspired from it.

THE ESCAPE ARTIST - GETTING AWAY FROM DISTRACTIONS by Janice M. Wilson

I NEVER HAVE TIME TO WRITE!

With so many daily distractions in a writer’s life, it’s a small wonder any books can get written and published.  As any artist does, a writer needs time and space for personal expression.  That includes no interruptions from kids, tv, phone calls, the boss, bad weather, etc.

I know.  I know.  Only in a perfect world.  I’m a Mom too, and sometimes the only way I could get any writing done was to check out of everyday life, and check-in somewhere for a retreat. 

For me, running  away to some small hideaway town, amid a patch of trees or a beach always does the trick!  (with an outside desk, of course!)

If you can afford it with time and cost – RUN!

If you can’t – here are a few starving-writers’ tips to block out a chunk of literary abandonment.

NO WORRIES, KIDDIES. MOMMY WILL BE BACK AFTER IT'S A BEST-SELLER!

No popularity – you can be in pjs and tuck away from people constantly bugging you on texts.  

No catwalk.  You don’t have to be ‘on’ all the time.   The purpose is to sit and write.  You don’t have to have a fashion show to curl up with a pen, paper for laptop. 

This is one time you can really pack a light bag!

OK, MAYBE NOT THAT LIGHT!

No chores – you only have YOU to take care of.  Eat when you want, what you want, sleep when you want. And no one can demand you have to get up at any time to do things.

YOU MEAN, I DON’T HAVE TO WHIP UP DESSERT?

No excuses – You’re there to write.  That’s it.  And you can’t bring work with you.  Writing is enough work as it is, but something you must do.  You can only slowly float along in your own imagination and write it out.

WELL……… I WILL WRITE AFTER THE DINNER PARTY!

It can be done!  Think of places that you know would whip up your imagination.  Find a way to go there.  There are many, even a day and a picnic at the park or a lakeside.  Cabins are cheap off season and so are the beach bungalows.  Amtrak gives away ‘trip scholarships’ to writers for space, time and inspiration to write as you travel.  There are plenty of other scholarships and contests hosting retreats and conferences to win. 

Don’t let the parent trap keep you from getting away!  Switch weekend with the spouse to watch the kids and take a break alone or with friends for a literary retreat.

I JUST NEED A LITTLE TIME TO WRITE.  LEAVE ME ALONE.

It can be cheap!  It doesn’t have to be a private island in the Carib.  It can be a lakefront cabin or a hostel.  Somewhere that no one knows you so no one will probably bother you.

 THE WRITERS COTTAGE? IT’S JUST DOWN THAT LANE (3 MILES)

Swap houses with someone you know and trust.  This will probably give you both a nice little cheap getaway.

Bring a gang of like-minded writers who are also desperate for some quiet and space – split the cost of the place you stay. Hostels work well for that and maybe some bed and breakfasts, which would eliminate the need to cook 1 meal, at least!

 You don’t have to travel that far, even if you can afford it.  Getting away within an hours drive may also acquaint you with some awesome places nearby that you would nOt bother visiting.  And you can write about THAT, if not for a creative exercise!

SLOW SPEED AHEAD!   I HAVE A NOVEL TO WRITE!

It can work!  Getting away from the norm is one of the best antidotes for the dreaded writers’ block, so pack a weekend bag of comfies, good drinks (coffee too), some nibbles, cozies, papers, pens, (or your laptop) to get away from the usual backdrop.

I JUST BROUGHT A FEW THINGS I NEED TO BRIGHTEN UP THIS ROOM A BIT!

Breathing in new experiences ALWAYS stirs up new ideas to write about and the yearning to curl up and actually do it.  

A few good ideas to take along:

                1/  Set some rules – If you go with other people, you need to establish some guidelines or it will turn into a gab & wine weekend.  That’s fun too, but the purpose is to get away and write uninterrupted.  If a few buffers are agreed on everybody can be relaxed, ready to write, and be productive.   I suggest quietness, earplugs for music, serene surroundings, lots of fluids you like and trusted pen-friends.

FREEEEEEEEEEEEE, TO WRITE!

                2/  Set some goals – You are there to produce, so set some goals.  Are you writing a query? Maybe have some sprints against a clock.  Not for competition but just for motivation. Some writers who gather will bring a small door prize gift for the one who writes the most words but the key is to reach some goals that you couldn’t do on normal days.  Groups will often write throughout the day and share that ‘line of the day’ that they came up with before going to bed.  If you go with friends you can all help with a celebration dinner too, and all clean up quickly to return to writing.  Maybe agree to have a critiquing time.

‘READ ME SOME MORE’ – magic words to a writer!

                3/ Dry out – Now I’m not necessarily talking about alcohol or drugs but daily habits, like watching too much tv or Pinterest browsing – those damnable vortexes that suck up our time otherwise.   Whatever it is that keeps you from writing on your free time – don’t allow it.  Shopping, Face-booking, texting, reality tv or worse – whatever keeps you from never having time to yourself to write – BLOCK IT! TAKE OUT OR TURN OFF THE WIFI.  Maybe you should put your phone on airplane/sleep mode.

THY CRAFTINESS PLAGUES ME, OH PINTREST!

                3/ Take a few breaks – Yes, take a break from taking a break.   Get up and stretch.  Go outside in the sun and get some air.  Some water. Write some notes down for a new story if you get inspired.  Have some wine and snacks.  Quietly chat with others who are also clearly taking a break in an established no-writing zone.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO SIT HERE BEFORE I CAN GO BACK TO WRITING?

                4/ Get some sleep – If you’re fortunate to find a bunch of trusted good people to travel and bunk with, don’t feel guilty catching some extra winks of sleep.  I find that when I go away, some people opt for naps.  It is ok.  Part of the ‘me-time’ relaxation.  They get a refreshing nap in and ready to write through the night sometimes, I have observed.

I NEED REST BEFORE WRITING MY NEXT BEST-SELLER!

Okay, so you covered all those details and fate seems to be working against your plans for a weekend literary love affair.  What can you do?

Don’t give up.  Cut it short.  You don’t have to go for a few days. If it is really that impossible to get away or money is too tight, try some day trips for a few hours in your area. 

Make agreements with the rest of similar frustrated souls to meet at a café or reserve a meeting room at a library for what we call in my writing group – ‘fests’.  Blogfests.  Write ins.  Sprints.  Contests for most words.

OKAY, WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

Whatever way you decide to do it, ESCAPE!  Run away like your characters. Short or long trips - it's still time just writing!

Dealing With Negativity

Dealing with Negativity

(From the people whose opinions you actually care about)

I can’t tell you how many book dedications I’ve read where writers thank their family for putting up with them while they were in the throes of writing their book, their kids eating peanut butter sandwiches so mommy can keep writing and so on and so forth.

I think that’s wonderful. I also wonder (with a certain feeling of shame for doubting their veracity) whether their families really were as supportive as all that. 

Because mine is not.

My kids don’t care whether or not I’m trying to squeeze out time to write a book. They want dinner, and help with homework, they want clean plates to eat off and clean clothes to wear. Books be damned, they want mommy dates and snuggle time. My boy wants a chance to work through how some kids at school called him stupid because he has autism and is hyper-focused on Elvis, the king of rock and roll this month, and Elvis is Not Cool. My girl wants a chance to talk over how some little girl was her friend last week and this week hates her and is hanging out with some other little girl.

This is life-shattering stuff for them folks.

Then there’s my husband who thinks its all a waste of time, that I’ll never finish any of it, (except I did) and even if I do, I’ll never make any money off of it (probably true) so why not focus on something that actually brings in a living wage. Of course, I already make a living wage a different way, so then writing in his mind is a hobby. And hobbies shouldn’t take away from snuggle time and eating chips in bed while watching Supernatural with him, from doing “my Fair Share” of paperwork and dealing with crap all adults have to do but never want to like incorrect bills and disputes about who is responsible for replacing the air conditioning system. Hobbies are for doing in free time.

And you know what? They have a point.

Writing is a huge time suck. And my kids deserve all those things they need. My husband shouldn’t have to deal with all the crap of life because I want to—let me rephrase that—I need to write.

I get it. 

But I don’t get “free time.”  I’m not even sure I believe in this mythical thing  people call Free Time.

Any time I have is stolen--I get it by not doing something else I should be doing.

So how do you avoid this kind of negativity from the people whose opinions you actually care about: your close friends and family?  And if you can’t avoid it, how do you deal with it?

The question isn’t rhetorical folks.

I have no idea what the answer is.  I would have liked to quote that biblical verse about how a prophet isn’t respected in their hometown. But lets face it—I’m no prophet. Probably you aren’t either.  And to be fair, these people in our lives have a valid point. So what do we do?

For now, my answer is to try to prioritize. I try to meet my family’s needs as best I can (and buy paper plates so I spend less time doing dishes.) 

(Sorry Earth.) 

I cut writing time out of sleep time and reading time.  I deny myself so that I don’t have to deny them.

It means everything comes so much slower writing wise.

It means I’m tired a lot.

It means sometimes writing feels like a chore, not a joy.

But the words still come.

What do you guys do? Is there a better way?