writing inspiration Archives

Do you listen to music when you write? Do you sing a musical serenade? I’ve read about authors who have favourite bands they listen to while they’re writing and I’ve seen writing music playlists on YouTube.

I was thinking about that yesterday while I prepared dinner. I’d put on Some Nights by Fun. and was cheerily mangling the lyrics as I sang along with Nate Ruess. Sadly, I didn’t inherit a single musical gene, and apologies to Nate aside, I couldn’t possibly listen to that CD and write. It’s simply too distracting. My favourite music charges me up, inspires me, sparks my imagination – but I can’t write while it’s playing. In fact, I stop what I’m doing to listen (maybe bop or even sing if no one’s around).

I remember when I wrote the first book, before I’d set up my writing corner, I managed to tune out an entire season of NHL while I wrote. I even managed to tune out F1 racing, house-cleaning guilt and, apparently, a number of conversations with my better half.

I suppose, being able to tune out and write is a blessing, but it doesn’t always work. Some things, like a ringing phone, I’m never able to tune out. Other days, my mood, the subject of my writing or sleep deprivation dictates my distraction threshold. I don’t know about you, but when I’m on a roll, like I was yesterday, even the most pleasant of distractions pulls me out of my writing cocoon, leaving me feeling like someone’s yanked the warm blankets off.

How about you? Do you listen to music while you write?

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Following are ten lessons I’ve learned from writing a book.

Three years ago, if someone had told me I’d write a book one day, I would have laughed – not out loud – but I’d quietly question their sanity. Following are ten lessons I’ve learned from writing a book.

Write a book? Me? Today, the only person’s sanity I question is my own. Not only did I write a book, I wrote three. It’s been a long, all-consuming, hedonistic, educational, inspirational, and frustrating experience. And I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Here are a few tidbits about writing I’ve learned along the way:

I’ve learned how little I know;
I’ve learned that most character archetypes and story arcs have been around since the beginning of time;
I’ve learned the value of a creative story editor and a keen-eyed copy editor;
I’ve learned to love search engines;
I’ve learned the importance of a sense of humour;
I’ve learned to repeatedly thumb the pages of Strunk and White, the Handbook for Writers and The Canadian Oxford Dictionary;
I’ve learned that there are creative, intelligent writers out there who are willing to share their time and considerable knowledge;
I’ve learned that cold/beta readers are indispensable;
I’ve learned how much I love writing;
I’ve been humbled by the generosity of friends, family and fellow writers who share this passion.