Power Writing Rituals, Theme Songs, and Bugs
Do you have any Powerrrrr Writing Rituals? Some people light scented candles. Others play certain music. Some people print their last page, delete it from the screen, and retype it to get their head back in the story.
I’ve found that there are days when the scene is just smokin’, that something is clicking. 
The pages whizz from my fingertips and I haven’t the faintest notion how they got there. On other days, each comma or word is excruciating. That’s a big clue that I’ve gone in the wrong direction.
When I write a love scene, I have to have Braveheart music on. You know which song I’m talking about–the love scene song. I play it on repeat mode, and it sucks me right into the mood. It’s perfect.
For action scenes, I listen to either Last of the Mohicans or Gladiator. I’m a music lover, and I have soundtracks for just about any kind of writing. Legends of the Fall was good when I wrote Westerns. And what’s most interesting to me is that, occasionally, there will be a Theme Song for my book. And it’s not always a love song.
For my last book, His Chosen Bride, the Theme Song was “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence. Very weird. But for whatever reason, the words completely summarized the book’s purpose—of a hero who had lost his wife and didn’t know how to love…of a heroine who had only suffered and couldn’t trust anyone.
I haven’t found the Theme Song for my new book. But when I do, that’s when I can start tying up the little pieces, to make each scene point to the overall message. Hope I find it soon!
Historic trivia: In the 1960s, the US ambassador working in Czechoslovakia ordered shoes through the mail. His package was intercepted by the Czech intelligence service, who planted an eavesdropping system in the heel. The system was activated by the ambassador’s valet whenever the ambassador attended secret meetings.
Michelle posted in Writing @ 5:54 pm | Viewed 737 times
Rene Says:
The theme song to my last ms was “My Immortal” by Evanesence. It was a dark and sad story and the melody seemed to fit so well.
For the most part, I don’t have rituals. I find I write better when the weather is nice. I know a lot of writers like to write when it is cold and rainy, but I notice my word count goes up when the sun is shining and its warm.
I used to be more inclined towards ritual: wearing certain clothes, listening to certain music, etc., but I found as I had more kids, the less I had the luxury. I guess the theme song I hear with the WIP is a mantra of “Mom, Mom, Mom, Mom,” interspersed with “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy,” and “Can I?,” Can I?,” “Can I?”
Michelle Says:
I can totally relate to that. This is why I do most writing when the kids are asleep. Otherwise it’s interrupted by, “Mom! Mom! She’s taking my toy away!” and piercing screams.
Jill Says:
I HAVE to have candles …
Olga Says:
I don’t have rituals, unless you count having to listen to the news. But when I plot, I like to listen to soft music.
Mary Says:
Interesting music. I’ll have to try that.
Larissa Says:
I usually need the TV on in the background, but sometimes if I’m in serious “wow, this is all coming in a mad rush” mode, I can turn off the TV and just write. But that’s rare!
kacey Says:
I like to have music going too. Sometimes. But other times I like absolute quiet. When my kids were little I could write through anything because I had to. But I’m more picky now.
Caro Says:
A sticky note. Seriously. I write the total number of words I need to achieve on the top of the sticky note and start work. Every so often, I take a word count (gotta love that function on the computer) and subtract how much I’ve written. Seeing the goal get closer — and surpassing it is a very strong motivator.
Tori Says:
I don’t have any rituals that I can think of. I do most of my writing during commercial breaks while watching TV at night. In longhand. The main problem with this is I’ll rack up half a dozen 8.5 x 11 legal pads without ever getting to the point of keying anything in.
Then I end up with cramps in my hands from trying to catch up with myself.
As for music, I guess I ought to be listening to my CDs of 1920s jazz instead of ’80s music channel on Dish Network.
Suzanne Says:
I need total quiet to write, but I like to have a candle lit.
Michelle Says:
Caro–the sticky note is an interesting technique. I’ll have to try that sometime!
Vicki–I’ll bet you get a lot more writing done during television than I do. I run back and forth to the computer on commercial breaks.