A la David Letterman’s Stupid Human Tricks — I hear that a lot of writers write to thematic music to get them into the mood. I’m totally the opposite. Just like with work, I need something to disrupt my thought patterns. Back in the day, it was NIN. Nowadays it’s pop music.Totally the opposite feel of what I’m writing.
I download something that’s already being played on the radio incessantly and play it on REPEAT. That’s the only thing that seems to work. The part of my brain that wants to do or think about anything but writing gets shut off by the radio ga-ga and the addictive beat just sinks into my bones.
What’s playing on repeat now? Akon’s – Right Now (Na Na Na). I swear I’ve listened to it about 50 times.
I wonder what silly tricks other writers use?
Oct 10, 2009 @ 20:15:27
I definitely listen to music with relevant themes when I write. As far as silly games. If I’m blocked for writing anything, I sometimes start with “Once Upon a Time” and go from there. It doesn’t have to be anything related to that phrase. It’s just like a verbal cue for me. *shrugs*
Oct 10, 2009 @ 20:36:48
That’s a neat trick!
Oct 10, 2009 @ 22:31:19
I don’t really have any tricks. I do listen to thematic music. I also like to go and do image searches online or on DeviantArt for anything related to my book. I’ve found some really great pictures that I like to look at as inspiration.
Oct 10, 2009 @ 23:03:29
Dara – I recently started looking up pics on DeviantArt too!
Here are two of my favorite artists:
http://www.deviantart.com/print/3620348/?itemids=100
http://feimo.deviantart.com/art/The-end-of-the-world-118968263
Oct 11, 2009 @ 18:49:20
I just downloaded a program called Freedom that turns off my internet so I can focus. Haven’t tried it yet, but I’m thinking maybe tonight…I’ll let you know how it goes!
Oct 11, 2009 @ 19:51:39
I guess technically I could disable the wireless…
Oct 13, 2009 @ 13:19:42
My laptop has a nice, glowing blue button at the top center that enables/disables the wireless. But it eats a bit of CPU time when I do that because the anti-virus complains about not being able to update, etc. So I just leave it on and plan to spend the last 15 minutes of an hour surfing. If I know that I’ll get my “break” time, its easier to get my work done, and half the time I write right through my “scheduled” break.
Sometimes I listen to themed music, and sometimes I just stick my headphones on and listen to nothing at all. They block out enough ambient noise that it helps me think. Of course, sometimes the music just runs out and I don’t notice…
I have certain places where I can write–Starbucks is good (could be the caffeine…), as is sitting cross-legged in a certain spot on one of our couches. The office, not so much.