Git R Done

Sometimes as a writer, you have to yell at yourself. Not out loud, because then you just look crazy, and lets face it, some of us already give off that vibe. :)

No by that I mean, we have to set schedules. Set boundaries. Make a list of goals for the day and stick to it. Turn of the twitter, turn off the Facebook. If you are a writer you have heard that before. For me many times I have to remind myself to post on here.  I generally have to list out, at least mentally, everything I need to finish in a day. And while I can write a blog with Facebook and twitter still open, I have to close them while writing.  One thing I discovered during the first draft of Mistaken was WriteOrDie. I  paid the 10 bucks and got the desktop version that goes full screen while I am in it. It makes it much easier for me to get in 1000-2000 words in one sitting. It also makes it harder to do anything else while it's full screen.

I like the fact that it forces you to just write. Plenty of my first draft has to get revised, but at least I am getting the story out. Fine-tuning is for revisions. Now that I have gotten half of my writing goal in for the day, I allowed myself sometime to blog and check facebook, but I already know I need to do one more WriteOrDie session before I can call it quits for the day.  On my list of to do's today is also:

• Finish print format of Mistaken (final edits aren't done, but taking care of this now so it isn't a headache later).
• Catch up on blogs I follow (getting back to being an active member of the online writing community)
• Work on fliers/posters for book release
• contact Cafe owner where book release party will be
• go to work (booooo)

In the meantime, here are some good blog about forming good writing habits you should check out. Both have some great ideas to keep you on track to your word count.

Zoe Winters: I'll JustCheck Email Real Quick

Yarn-A-Go-Go: How To Write A Novel

My writing Soundtrack- How I Get in the Mood.

Music has always been a big part of my life. I just wish I could make some good noises come out of my electric guitar though. Also I would need to get super skinny/heroin-chic to pull off that whole rockstar image. But I don't like huge crowds, so that probably wouldn't help either :)

Even if I can't be a rockstar, music has always helped me in some way. To deal with my own emotions, to help me celebrate when I am happy, and it even helps me write. Many times, music has gotten me into the state of mind I need when I feel like I can't write. If you think about the logic behind it, it really can help!

Just last night we were watching a movie about a lady that loses her dog (whom is her only companion...I won't give you the name of the movie, but don't see it...) If you love cute doggies...you will cry like a baby. And while you are sobbing for her cute little dog, you will notice the depressing music playing as she waits to find out that he did in fact die. Seriously...if you watch that part....this will be you!

So, when I write, I nearly treat it the same, since the damn story keeps playing over in my head til I write it out, I might as well put music to it.

If I know I will be writing something sad, I tend to listen to something kind of emo, that maybe has the same theme as what I am writing. Did someone just die? Listen to a song about losing someone! Maybe one that particularly speaks to you and nearly brings you to tears (I admit I have cried while writing lol). Since I do follow my outline for the most part, I do know what should be coming up next, so I pick a playlist accordingly. For example... someone is about to get gunned down by several gunmen.... so  I write with the song "Bulls on Parade" by- Rage Against the Machine on.

I have always paid alot of attention to how songs make me feel, as well as their lyrics... here is why I think this is a good song, at least for me, when writing a scene where someone may be getting gunned down. The instruments itself have a sorta intimidating and violent feel too them. And you here Zack screaming

"They rally round your family, with a pocket full of shells!"

When I am writing flashbacks of Dillan and Jamie, in the happy times, before he died, but I still want it to feel a little bittersweet I might put on "First Day of  My Life"- by Bright eyes.

Some reasons why I might use this song is the general overall feel is a sweet love song, but to me it comes off a little bittersweet.

Yours is the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
Now I don’t know where I am
I don’t know where I’ve been
But I know where I want to go

And so I thought I’d let you know
That these things take forever
I especially am slow
But I realize that I need you
And I wondered if I could come home

Ah yes, that last line is what I am talking about. 

Anyways, so if you are having trouble writing, try making a soundtrack and writing to it

Happy writing!

Rayvenne