Inspiration or Obligation?

I think I can safely say that, for most of us writers, we feel guilty when we aren't putting our ideas on paper (real or metaphorical). The moment you declare yourself a writer there's this urge to prove that yes, you can write a novel, thank you very much. And no, it's not going to take you thirty years to whip out a draft.

Some people write every day and they can crank out the beginnings of a masterpiece in a month. Their imaginations are a freaking machine. These are the people we're jealous of. Or would be if we let ourselves feel such envious things--or if we weren't already those sorts. (No need to be modest, machines! It's a good type of envy.) 


Others of us have the ideas, but don't have the inspiration. Or we've got the inspiration, but not the ideas. There's always something. But, no matter which way, we take a day off from the MS, perhaps even two or three, until the guilt eats through your insides.

And then comes the sitting in front of blank word documents, struggling to get out whatever we can. Waiting and hoping for the day when our machine moment will come.

Now that I've been working on a different story, I've had less of those obligation days and more inspiration days. I can't say I'm anywhere near being the mental wonder of certain writers, but it's definitely an improvement.

So, what kind of writer are you? Mental machine? Guilt-tripper? Or perhaps somewhere in between?

Also, is anyone else joining the Rule of Three blogfest? It looks like it's going to be fun~ Some of you machines out there could do this in three minutes. :P

Getting in the Mood

Into the writing mood that is! There are so many ways to get inspired and get the creativity flowing. It's different for everyone. Sometimes just getting away from your ms and not thinking about it until your muse goes "IDEA!" helps or sometimes looking at pictures sparks the imagination.

But what about when we're actually writing? I know a lot of us play music when we write that goes with the feeling of the scene Action scene, fast paced music. Emotional scene, something with a down beat. I've also heard of people using scents to get into the mood (I've yet to try this one. I'll take any excuse I have to buy more scented candles though. :P) 


Most of the time I have to write to music that makes me happy, rather than listening to music that fits the emotion of the scene. And lately I've been finding that where I am also helps. When I'm at home, if it's sunny (which is a rarity at the moment), I'll take my laptop out back and chill out on the deck--let my legs catch some sun (under 2 layers of 70spf)--and start tapping away on the key board.

Being alone and away from the distractions inside my house help infinitely! There's also just something really inspiring about just relaxing. Feeling the heat--at an astounding 72 degrees F (yes, it's so hot. I'm positively melting.)--listening to the sound of the wind through the trees, chimes tinkling together and the birds. Even the sound of someone mowing their lawn four houses down and a plane with parachuters humming above. Plus seeing all the green! I just can't help but get in the mood when it's like that.

What gets you into the writing mood?

Also, the schedule has changed a bit. It's going to be every Monday and Thursday. :)

H is for Help and Harry Potter!!

First off, there's an awesome charity going on called Crits for Water hosted by the lovely Katherine Brauer (aka Kat). My best friend and writing partner Jessica Lei is offering up a critique herself in honor of the charity. Having been critted by her since the beginning of time, let me just say that she is awesome. Like... seriously. Awesome.

Also, you guys should follow her blog. It's worth the jump over and a simple little click. (Yes, I'm shamelessly pimping her out. :D) She might not post often, but when she does it's totally worth it!

Back to Crits for Water for a moment, you should definitely go check it out here and donate--can't donate there, but, that's where you get the information! It's amazing.

Onto a different topic--Harry Potter. There is nothing more amazing in the entire world than Harry Potter. (Crits for water is very close. As is Jessie. Actually, Jessie's better.) I mean, really. How can you not love this? I'm clearly obsessed--and that's okay. I know that I am completely and utterly in love with this story, but it really it's amazing.

I can remember when I used to compare all my characters or base them off of J.K. Rowling's amazingness. I used to wish I would get my Hogwarts letter and that I could escape from being just plain-old-Devin and become a witch. Even a bad one would've been okay!

Harry Potter was what got me writing in the first place. It is because of this story that I found myself in this amazing world of people, realms, characters and plots. I am ever thankful to J.K. Rowling and her characters.

What got you guys started off in the path of being a writer?

(And don't forget to donate to get an awesome crit from Jessica~!)

F is for French and Flowers!

There's something about spring that is just so inspiring! I think it's probably because of all the beautiful flowers that start blooming and the wondrous fragrances they (sometimes) let off. I really really love spring. And I also really really really like flowers, haha. It's only natural that I'd like the two of them together, right?

I don't have a favorite flower--I really like them all. Tulips, roses, daffodils, dahlias, marigolds, rhododendrons.. the list could go on forever!

This quarter in school is my third quarter of French. I'm really loving it--obviously, seeing how I've been taking it for over 6mo now--and we're finally learning some of the subtleties and colloquialisms of France. It got me to thinking about little things I can add to my story--to the characters and the world itself--that can make things stand out a little bit more.

I knew about it before, but I finally have realized it now. I mean, how can you not know about it when you're the fan of Harry Potter? It's the goldmine of ...well everything really. Muggleborn vs mudblood for instance?

Perfection.

Anyway, here are some pictures for you! They're all from a local county Tulip Festival. (So yes, they are all tulips.)

What inspires you?