What Do Balance And Atmosphere Have To Do With Each Other?

Balance is the most important part of the life of a writer. Each writer must find a balance that works for them. Most of us have to consider family, novel writing, blog entries, commitments and job. Besides all that, a million other little things intrude upon our already bulging daily schedules. We must be able to fulfill each task then remain calm enough to separate ourselves (our minds) from every other demand and become engrossed in our work as writers. That's balance.

How do we do it? By creating an atmosphere. How do you set up your perfect atmosphere for writing? Just as each unique writer has their own style of writing, each author has their own way of creating their perfect atmosphere.

Me? first, I like to accomplish any task required of me for the day by making a list the night before or first thing in the morning. The action of checking off each task gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Once I've done all I can from my list, I save what I can't do that day for the next. Having it written down, I don't have to think about the list for the rest of the day. With that off my mind, I move on to my next step. Music.

I love to have the room to myself, the windows open (weather permitting), and to play movie soundtracks. The music wells up within me evoking an emotion which helps me get into the world and minds of my characters. I also listen to the soundtracks while I think about the story and during the editing process.

I find that movie soundtracks relax my mind. Why movie soundtracks? I can't explain it, I just know they do the trick. If you're curious, you may want to try one sometime. Let me know if it works for you. Here are a few of my favorites:

James Horner: Braveheart and A Beautiful Mind
John Williams: The Patriot
John Barry: My Life, Out Of Africa, Dances With Wolves, and Somewhere In Time

So, what do balance and atmosphere have to do with each other? Everything. I'm certain it can be done, but believe it would be difficult to have the perfect atmosphere for writing without having first established balance.

What about you? I'd love to read about your plan for balance and writing. I'd also love to know what musical genre you listen to, and what other little habits you may have that help get your writing juices flowing.

How Does One Become A Writer?

Some of us have dreamed of becoming writers since childhood, influenced by a person or an event. Others catch the bug later in life. Some writers can put words to paper in a crowded room while others must write in absolute silence. As different as every writer's mode may be, all writers do have one thing in common; we each have a unique style in which we write.

The famous editor, Sol Stein has a definition of a writer. In How To Grow A Novel, Stein writes:

A writer is someone who looks forward to the day's work. . . a person who knows that whatever one first sets down is a draft, that drafts are palimpsests ready for change the next day and the next day until they can no longer be improved. . .It all starts each day with the necessity of putting words on paper.

Stein's definition is clear and concise. If you want to become a writer you must realize that writing is work; enjoyable, committed, daily work.

In The Complete Guide To Writing Fiction, celebrated sci-fi author, Ray Bradbury states that anyone who wants to become a writer should start by reading. Bradbury compares reading to Cracker Jack: “The more you eat, the more you want.” He writes:

And the more you read, the more the ideas begin to explode around inside your head, run riot, meet head-on in beautiful collisions so that when you go to bed at night the damned visions color the ceiling and light the walls with huge exploits and wonderful discoveries.

What does Bradbury say about the people who found his behavior peculiar during his endeavor to write? “If I had listened to all the tastemongers and fools and critics I would have played a safe game, never jumped the fence, and become a nonentity whose name would not be known to you now.”

In other words, if it is your desire to write, don't let others influence your decision. We all have a unique gift to contribute to the world. We have millions of authors writing every genre imaginable, each one writing from his or her own experiences and desires. Isn't it wonderful to go to the library or the internet and find the variety of books and genres from which to choose.

I'm always open to reading new authors and genres. Why? Because I can learn something new from each of them. Something that will help me to become a better writer.

How did you become a writer? What or who influenced you? I look forward to reading your responses.

How To Eat An Elephant And Not Feel Overwhelmed

Have you ever felt overwhelmed when starting a writing project? Have you stared at the blank computer screen and said, “What am I going to write about?” If you have, you're not alone.

Let me tell you a story. One day, my husband and I walked outside to survey our home for repairs. He saw so much more that needed to be done than I did. He understood and knew how to accomplish each task. I didn't. One by one he began rattling off a list of things we had to do. By the time he finished explaining all the necessary work, I began to cry.

Why? Because I was overwhelmed by my lack of knowledge. The saying, “knowledge is power,” is true. How many of us are stifled when it comes to accomplishing a task because we don't know how to do it? Or rather, how to start. How many times have we given up and moved on to something else without ever trying to take on the task?

In addition to not understanding all we needed to do, I didn't have a clue as to how we would get it done. Do you know how my husband solved the problem? He took my hand and said, “We are going to eat this elephant one bite at a time.” Immediately, I began to calm down. I've learned that by doing things one step at a time, any task can be accomplished.

The same goes with writing. Let's apply the elephant theory to our next project. We have a book to write. We need approximately 100,000 words, we haven't started yet, and we haven't a clue as to what to write about. The task can be overwhelming. That is the moment that causes many to quit.

However, if we tackle the project one step at a time, we can eat the entire elephant and not suffer heartburn. So, where do we start?

So as not to 'overwhelm' anyone, I've listed only the first three steps I take to start.

1) Know What You Want To Write About. Choose your genre and know your subject matter. You can't write a successful novel about vampires just because the genre is popular. Especially if you're not interested in them and have no background information about the genre. Genre popularity does not guarantee publication. On the other hand, if you always read mysteries and know the rules of writing a mystery, then you have chosen your genre and subject matter. You will be writing about something you know and in which you are confident.

2) Brain Storm Ideas. Let your mind flow with thoughts and ideas and jot them down. Don't try to edit or make sense of them, just let them come. Out of that, you'll discover ideas and plots. Soon you'll be writing your outline. I like to start my brain storming with a 'who killed who and why' question. That is a great kick off for me. That, or something else, might work for you. You decide.

3) Be Flexible With Yourself. Once you have your outline, you are free to change that outline while writing. Tell yourself that changes are alright. In fact, they're good. Changes mean you've expanded your mind as a writer. You saw the plot going one way but thought another way would make the story more interesting. Way to go! Remember, nothing is set in stone until it's published.

How do you begin your writing projects? Do you follow a number of steps or just roll with it? I look forward to reading your responses.

Does Your Setting Enhance Your Novel?

Today I'd like to write about a story's setting. I believe the setting, based upon an imaginary or actual place, is as important as the characters and plot.

I use the lowcountry of South Carolina as the setting for my novels. Why? First, because this is where I've lived since 1982. Second, the lowcountry of SC has an amazing history. Such a setting brings a story to life. One of the most famous locations in SC is historical downtown Charleston. I've chosen this area for the setting of my third novel, A Cruel Legacy. If you've never visited the lowcountry, throughout the novel you can see in your mind's eye the beauty of the area. The reader who has never been here catches a glimpse of the actual sites in Charleston. The reader who has, re-appreciates the beauty of the area.

Bits and pieces of Charleston's history are experienced by the main character of the novel, Caressa Cruel. The streets of historical Charleston lined with centuries-old mansions, the famous Market Street where slaves were once bought and sold, Fort Sumter where Yankee cannon shots fired upon the city sparking the Civil War, and ghost stories, all play an intricate roll in the novel.

Caressa Cruel is a television newscaster who grew up in Charleston but moved away to escape her father's oppressive hold upon her. She returns when she learns of his imminent death, hoping to heal their fractured relationship and to comfort him. Unfortunately for Caressa, her father reveals a shocking secret. A confession that not only verifies her life is in danger, but also rouses agonizing memories of her troubled past.

When Caressa's father dies before revealing a vital piece of information, he leaves her to search for the answers that would reveal the identity of a killer. Caressa's dilemma intensifies when she discovers the body of a loved one, murdered. She is left heartbroken, without answers, and in danger. Caressa must decipher the details of her father's confession and uncover the truth to expose a killer before he catches her.

Caressa's search for answers sends her on a variety of dire experiences that include the roof of her centuries-old mansion, the streets of historical Charleston, the Charleston Battery, and Fort Sumter.

I believe the Charleston, SC setting helps to make this story alive and believable. What is the setting of your novel? How have you made it come alive and enhance the novel you're working on?