Do you create a mood when you sit down to write?

[sharpchick]

I don't think I'm the only one who does that. When I sit down at the computer to write a story, whether it's character development, or editing, proofreading or what - I create a mood that I feel makes my writing better.

Music, lighting, scent - all of those are important to me. The music is often Celtic or Native American flute. . . the sort of music that has ebb and flow, and at times, can feel very erotic. I ground and center, to be able to access the sensual side of me. I might have a glass of wine or a beer, but I don't get wasted. I probably actually consume less, because I'm typing and only pausing briefly, taking a sip of whatever and a drag off of a cigarette that's burning up in the ashtray beside me.

In short, I guess it's my writing ritual - very similar to the ritual I have for reading tarot.

Anyone else?

 

[Guest]

I like to, I try to have some semblance of mood when I write.

Of course, my kids don't allow much time for that.

It shows in my prodigious output.

 

[sophia jane]

Lmao. I write sentences between getting up and getting juice for kids, changing the channel, changing diapers, answering the phone, taking the dog outside. You get the picture. I don't think a single thing I've written has been written under the kind of circumstances you describe. But then those circumstances never happen around here.

 

[sharpchick]

Wow. . . I had totally forgotten about the perspective of a mom with kids at home. My son is 23 and out of the house, so it's been a few years since I had to consider that. I have dated men who had a hard time understanding that I would really make time to write and not commit to doing something else. If I don't take the time to do it, then I miss out on some time for me that I really enjoy.

That really must make it more difficult.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Mood? What mood CAN I create? I'm living with my gf, who is a live-in nanny to a mentally challenged 15 year old. The closest that I can come to a mood is the background noise from the TV when she watches it or the video game when she plays it (which she is as I speak). That, having her around, and drinking some whisky is the only kind of mood I can get.

Not to be mean, but I'm just explaining why a "mood" is impossible in my life, though for different reasons than with Sarah and SJ. And then there is when her daughter is around.

In the past, I used an Internet cafe. Talk about the ULTIMATE bad mood locale. Hurried, worried, and scurried. Not to mention the soda and candy. And the bar next to the Internet cafe, where I'd get lit beforehand at times.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

I don't think I'm the only one who does that. When I sit down at the computer to write a story, whether it's character development, or editing, proofreading or what - I create a mood that I feel makes my writing better.

Music, lighting, scent - all of those are important to me. The music is often Celtic or Native American flute. . . the sort of music that has ebb and flow, and at times, can feel very erotic. I ground and center, to be able to access the sensual side of me. I might have a glass of wine or a beer, but I don't get wasted. I probably actually consume less, because I'm typing and only pausing briefly, taking a sip of whatever and a drag off of a cigarette that's burning up in the ashtray beside me.

In short, I guess it's my writing ritual - very similar to the ritual I have for reading tarot.

Anyone else?

No wonder my novels haven't been published. I try to wedge my legs under the desk (the goldern retriever LUVS the knee-hole area), push papers aside to make room for my coffee and hope the beagle doesn't start snoring.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[sharpchick]

OMG, that is a hoot. . .and I'm not being negative in any way. I'm just amazed that you guys get the writing you do completed.

That is very impressive to me.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Mood? What mood CAN I create? I'm living with my gf, who is a live-in nanny to a mentally challenged 15 year old. The closest that I can come to a mood is the background noise from the TV when she watches it or the video game when she plays it (which she is as I speak). That, having her around, and drinking some whisky is the only kind of mood I can get.

Not to be mean, but I'm just explaining why a "mood" is impossible in my life, though for different reasons than with Sarah and SJ. And then there is when her daughter is around.

In the past, I used an Internet cafe. Talk about the ULTIMATE bad mood locale. Hurried, worried, and scurried. Not to mention the soda and candy. And the bar next to the Internet cafe, where I'd get lit beforehand at times.

See, this is what headphones are for... drowns out the rest of the world...

 

[cloudy]

My "mood setting" is usually about like it is now:

there is the soothing sounds of Spongebob Squarepants from the television behind me, accented with the sound of the refrigerator opening and closing at random moments.

There is the smell of supper cooking wafting through the house.

Oh, and the five year old is pitching a fit, slamming cupboard doors repeatedly.

There's the roar of "There's no clean towels!" echoing down the hall.

Oops! Gotta run, the timer just went off for the oven...........

 

[rgraham666]

I like it reasonably quiet.

That's about it.

 

[Guest]

About all I absolutely must have is low light, mostly because bright light/overhead light makes my eyes water when I'm at the computer.

But when I really wnt to concentrate, I go to my office, I put on music to suit the story I'm trying to write, I light a candle or two, and I tempt a cat into the room (not nearly the hardest thing, it's hard to keep them out). Oh, and something to drink. AFter that, I'm good for the evening. Night is always better for writing, tho. Daytime has too many distractions for me. I like the night quiet and the solitude of darkness.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I wouldn't say I set a mood but I do have requirements when I write, out of many years of habit. My desk has to be clear, at least within arm's reach. (I have a big desk.) I can't have anything near me except whatever I'm drinking - right now it's water - no papers, no books, no stray pens. Messes and disorder make me antsy and restless and I'll get up and start scrubbing the shower instead of writing. In the day time hours I like as much natural light as I can get. I like to write in the mornings so usually a cup of tea. No music - it distracts me. If anyone else is moving around the house I can't concentrate, because they always wander in here. I need a quiet, meditative, orderly space in order to be creative. If anything's out of place, frustration is the result.

 

[Belegon]

There's a reason I do so much of my writing when the rest of the house is asleep...

 

[Guest]

Wow. . . I had totally forgotten about the perspective of a mom with kids at home. My son is 23 and out of the house, so it's been a few years since I had to consider that. I have dated men who had a hard time understanding that I would really make time to write and not commit to doing something else. If I don't take the time to do it, then I miss out on some time for me that I really enjoy.

That really must make it more difficult.

And I didn't mean to sound so negative in my description. Graduate classes and young kids are truly a challenge, but I do have a great hubby who does as much as he can to give me the time to be creative.

When it is possible I love to cram myself into a corner of the comfy cough and snuggle with a soft comforter. I love to have a glass or two of wine, holding the glass, sipping elegantly, closing my eyes to taste the drink. It's a relaxing sensation and allows me to feel seductively naughty and I think that spills over into my writing. I usually write sex scenes in longhand because the tippity-tapping ruins it for me (and the words transfer quickly).

Often, however, I'm just not motivated enough to write. I find too many excuses, messy house, dinner to cook, laundry to do, my own homework, kids to chase. . .

But sometimes a swift kick in my ample cheeks would get the creative juices flowing. (And wake up my muse, that cagey bitch.)

 

[impressive]

Create a mood? Naw, not really. Inspire one? Uh huh.

 

[Belegon]

But sometimes a swift kick in my ample cheeks would get the creative juices flowing. (And wake up my muse, that cagey bitch.)

would a loud swat from a bare hand work? *eyebrow wiggle*

 

[Guest]

would a loud swat from a bare hand work? *eyebrow wiggle*

Can I peek under your kilt, sexy?

 

[Belegon]

Can I peek under your kilt, sexy?

that would be a yes...

 

[Guest]

that would be a yes...

Oooh.

Well, now I am inspired.

But not to do any writing.

 

[Belegon]

Oooh.

Well, now I am inspired.

But not to do any writing.

Ms. Sarahh, where did your other hand disappear to?

 

[Guest]

Ms. Sarahh, where did you other hand disappear to?

Um.

Longhanded editing?

 

[BlackShanglan]

Some semblance of quiet is helpful, and for polishing - fine word-by-word editing - I sometimes need it. Not always, though; I did a few rounds of screenplay revision in the pub, which unfortunately never turns off the televisions. For brainstorming or idea building, it's more a matter of trying to turn it off until I can get to paper; it's a bit distracting when something comes to me while I am driving.

Mostly, at the moment, I'm curbing it. I don't have the time to do much, and the frustration of half-starting and having to stop as soon as I am really ready to do anything makes me a very snappish and unpleasant person. The long-term effects of smothering it aren't that hot either, but I do at least have some plans in place to try to change that reality. Once I've got the time - a little peace and some sort of writing utensil are all I really require.

As a side note, I've always been partly intrigued and partly amused by those very stylish and expensive leather-bound journals that places like Levinger's sell. They are lovely things, and I have a special weakness for anything that looks like Indiana Jones might own it. But they inevitably have a tiny supply of paper, and it swiftly reminds me that most of the poets whom I admire scrawled out their drafts on napkins and the backs of envelopes. I have vowed to concentrate on the words rather than the binding - although now and again I am tempted.

Shanglan

 

[BlackShanglan]

If anyone else is moving around the house I can't concentrate, because they always wander in here.

Can't be. They always wander in here.

We really need to hire a little cottage together, my dear one, and spend some happy weeks writing and joyfully ignoring each other. In the daytime.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Can't be. They always wander in here.

We really need to hire a little cottage together, my dear one, and spend some happy weeks writing and joyfully ignoring each other. In the daytime.

LOL. You cook. I want that stuffed chicken thingy.

 

[Aurora Black]

I do try to establish a mood, yes. Depending on the type of story I'm writing at the time, I seclude myself in the PC room, I play music in the background, think certain thoughts and sometimes I look at works of art online that inspire me. I do what I can to get myself into the mood of the story so I can be faithful to the plot that I've decided upon.