Writing Inspiration
A collection of the things that inspire my muse, or the stuff I use to kickstart my creativity. Sometimes, even these things don't work, which means I have no choice but to set a timer and start typing. Deadlines, whether personal or professional, don't always wait for inspiration.
Reading
I'm often inspired to write by the books that I read. Most of the time, however, it isn't romance fiction that brings about the muse. I'm most often hit with the muse when I'm reading how-to and instructional books. The latest re-reads for me include Scene & Structure, Building Better Plots (which I haven't said many good things about in the past, but I think it's time for me to revisit my review of this book), and Self-Editing For Fiction Writers. My newest professional library addition is The Criminal Law Handbook (bought purely for research purposes :-).
Music
Over time, music grows stale, and the songs that once inspired me bring me nothing but a wince and a cringe. Below are my newest favorites, which make up the playlist I listen to as I work on my latest manuscript. Follow the links and you can hear samples of most of the stuff I mention.
3 Doors Down - A total favorite.
Coldplay - Yellow (from Parachutes) & The Scientist (from Rush Of Blood To The Head). My chest tightens every time one of these songs starts to play.
Incubus - I started out with I Miss You (from Make Yourself), but soon found myself entranced by Nice To Know You (from Morning View) and Pardon Me (also from Make Yourself)
Staind - I like most of their stuff, and I admit, I prefer the unedited versions.
Blink 182 - Only the song I Miss You (from their self-titled album Blink 182). The rest of their stuff bores me.
Usher - Burn (from Confessions) Nothing else, just this one song, but I love the chorus--and a chorus is everything to me.
Five for Fighting - 100 Years (from Battle for Everything)
Damien Rice - Cannonball (from O)
Lifehouse - Everything these guys sing inspires me. The voices, the lyrics, the music--I feel it all, and each of these influence my mood as I write.
Jimmy Eat World - My Sundown, The Middle & Hear You Me (from Jimmy Eat World)
Last, but far from least, is Nickelback.
There's lots more, but these in particular are my favorites at the moment. I listen to them over, and over, and over, and...you get it, I'm sure. Listening to music tends to get me in the writing mood right away. Especially when I have associated a certain "sound" with a particular story. These sounds have set the mood for my latest manuscript.
Television
Is it a need for inspiration or just a desperate need for a break that draws me away from the computer to scrunch myself into the corner of the couch and watch my favorite television programs? Hmm. Not sure I should answer that one.
I do find inspiration from television though, so I'm putting it here.
I have lots of favorite shows, but there are a few I refuse to miss. Stargate SG-1, Enterprise, and Smallville. I also enjoy Trauma, Life in the ER, Storm Stories (and yes, this one has directly inspired a future story for me), Biography, Forensic Detectives, and E! True Hollywood Story. What a mix!