I'm wading through the rewrite of Goddess of the Rose. Of course I always appreciate my fabulous editor's feedback, even though I dread rewrites. I mean, who doesn't? You turn in a ms and you think, FINISHED! But no. Sigh. In the middle of the rewrite you don't care that it's going to make it a substantially better book. You're just wishing you were really really done. Right? Right. So I'm working throught GotR and my mind's wandering...I'm restless...I'm picking at my fingernail polish... I realize it's because I want to move forward to my next writing project, but I can't until I finish the one I'm on. I can not write two books at the same time. Absolutely does not work for me. So to keep my creativity fueled I am, of course, reading. I just have a few pages left of Kushiel's Dart (Jeri - you were right - I love this book!). I've also been watching movies. Some, just for the special affects - like Constantine (more romance in that movie would have seriously helped it). Some for the sigh factor - like Under the Tuscan Sun. And some just because I love to torture myself - like Shadowlands (the one with Debra Winger and the incredible Anthony Hopkins).
I've also been considering a "field trip" to parts of Oklahoma that I love, like the Tallgrass Prairie, or the southeastern part of the state for a quick hiking trip to soak in the beauty of the land.
So what do you do to fuel your creativity?
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Creativity...
Posted by PC Cast at 10:10 AM
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8 comments:
I wish I'd dream ideas for novels. I'm always jealous when I learn of people who can do that. Sigh. Of course, my daydreams are pretty creative...
Creativity fuel? One word: CAFFEINE.
Beyond that, I'd have to say movies and music--or better yet, movie music. I listened to the LotR score continuously for the last few weeks of writing my last novel. Every day I'd hit "Play" and write for the 3.75 hours it takes to listen to all three scores (taking a break for Spider Solitaire at the beginning of each one, of course). It's so epic and inspiring and really takes me out of this world.
I love reading, but most books give me one of two reactions: a) ehh, I could do better, or b) OMG that was so FABulous, I'm not worthy to carry that writer's flip-flops!!! I definitely felt Reaction B after reading Kushiel's Dart, which I'm glad you love! What an intricate, amazing book...sigh. And it was her first novel, too.
Oh, also: drawing or doodling/abstract painting. Sometimes it's really helpful to exercise the other side of the brain. I'll sort of meditate on a character or situation, then let the pencil or paints do what they will. Just forget words for awhile. I don't let the fact that I have zero talent bother me; I don't know enough about art to know what I'm doing wrong.
Jeri - music inspires me, too. Actually I play music for my students while they read/write(and the soundtracks to all 3 of the LotRs movies is a big favorite). I actually re-read the LotRs trilogy while I was writing Goddess of Spring because I thought it would help to inspire my Underworld creation - which I think it did.
Long walks work well for me, too.
Hey, tell us a little about your wip! When is your first Luna book going to be released?
I have to agree with Jeri. Coffee does it for me. Or wine. Or coffee with a wine chaser... Chocolate is good too. Can you tell that my muse is very oral. We used to smoke, my muse and I. Now we have been nicotine free for 6 years and both of us are still pissed off about it:)
Teri
OK, PC, arm twisted. A little about my WIP for Luna (November 2006), Aspect of Crow:
In a society where everyone has magic based on their totem animal, a young woman discovers she has the rare Aspect of Crow, which deals with death. She can see if and when someone will die. As an ancient enemy tries to destroy her people's way of life, Rhia realizes that her power must be turned on those she loves most.
Hmm, I've never summed it up in a paragraph before. I think "Clan of the Cave Bear meets X-Men" is a bit catchier.
Teri,
Alcohol kills my creativity. I can't drink if I want to accomplish anything the rest of the day. The only exception is if I'm writing a scene where the character is drunk. Then it's bottoms up! :-p
I'm so glad I quit smoking before I started writing, so that I never associate the two. But I do get a little antsy when my characters smoke.
I'd have to agree that music definately helps me... other than that... the fact that most of my classes at school are beyond boring helps the whole letting my mind fly with the Fairies... but if I'm desperate, I have no idea how this manages to help, but I listen to the Hamish and Andy podcasts... a good laugh always helps me with my creativity... by the way, I'm still in high school...
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