Thirteen Things about Songs That Inspire My Creativity

There are many songs/artists loaded on my computer, but lately these are some of the tunes that help inspire my work:

1. Rockstar by Nickelback

2. Losin’ Control by Jay Ferguson

3. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting by Elton John

4. Flesh for Fantasy (Below the Belt Mix) by Billy Idol

5. Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne

6. Amos Moses by Jerry Reed

7. Back in Black by AC/DC

8. Getaway by Earth, Wind and Fire

9. When Love Goes Wrong by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell (from the “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” soundtrack)

10. Some People by Ethel Merman (from the “Gypsy” soundtrack) a great writer’s anthem

11. Last Plane Out by Toy Matinee

12. All Star by Smashmouth

13. Pencil Thin Mustache by Jimmy Buffett (It’s always good for writers to keep Parrot Head music on hand.)

What are some of the songs/artists that help you put the right amount of punch into that promotional piece? What music helps you finish that scene you've been working on all evening? What are the tunes that fuel your creativity?


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Just Write

Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert was on a writers' television show last week (can't recall the title of the show, but a typewriter keyboard is on the title shot) and he had some wonderful stories to share about his career and information on his newly released book, Your Movie Sucks .

His barbed wit is a treat in both books, but his words on the television writers’ show were profound. He talked about his recovery from cancer, and how during that time, when he wrote he felt better, more alive. He said that if you wait for inspiration to write, it won’t come. We need to sit ourselves down, write and the inspiration will then flow to us. So let’s all follow Mr. Ebert’s advice today:

Just write.

The Existential Viewpoint

I was attempting to clean off my desk today, and found a copy of U.S. Andersen’s Three Magic Words. I’d been trying to get inside one protagonist’s head a bit more as it had been difficult progressing on the story synopsis, and realized that I didn’t know her all that well because I did not yet know how she viewed herself in the big picture of life. I had no idea how she saw herself in the world or what type of relationship she had with her Creator. I frequently practice bibliomancy, and will say a quick prayer asking for guidance before opening a book to a seemingly random page. I may not always get the guidance that I thought I was looking for, but I always get guidance I can use. It was a synchronistic moment when I opened Andersen’s book at the page I’d previously placed an index card and my eyes immediately went to the heading, “Viewpoint.” Here’s what it said:

“The riddle of the universe is a riddle pure and simple. Like any other riddle, the true answer depends on a shift in viewpoint. If someone proposes a riddle to you, you put yourself in the place of each of the persons involved in the riddle; you attempt to get each of their viewpoints. When you have gotten each viewpoint, you translate them into one central viewpoint. Then the answer becomes apparent.

It is viewpoint that gives us the illusion of separateness in life. It is this trick that consciousness plays on us that is forever provoking us into believing that we are negligible in the vast scheme of things. We sense that our consciousness is imprisoned within the fleshy limits of our bodies, and we presume that our personal ‘I’s’ are forever limited to the few feet of cubic space that our bodies occupy.

We see ourselves at the center of a tremendous universe. As far as we can see in all directions there is myriad form and infinite variety. The very grains of sand upon a beach refuse to be counted through sheer number. Yet something within us keeps insisting, ‘If I were not conscious and able to observe this, it would not be so.’ We analyze this statement somewhat sheepishly and admit that somebody else would be observing it even if we weren’t, so it would still have to exist. What we fail to analyze is the personal, restricted, bodily contained ‘I.’”

I had a conversation with my character and learned that she didn’t really have much of a viewpoint yet in terms of where she fits in the vast scheme of things. Much of her consciousness is still imprisoned within the confines of her physical body. She is a clean slate when it comes to development of her spirituality. Now that I know she’s in touch somewhat with her bodily self, but not yet in tune with her higher, more aware Self that’s connected with everything, I can finish my assignment a lot more easily than I could have before I learned more about my character.

While I know that height, weight, hair color and favorite ice cream flavor can be important on a character development worksheet, authors need to know how their characters, particularly protagonists, see themselves in comparison to the outside world and what type of relationship (if any) they have with their Creator. How characters assimilate their spirituality, religion(s) and/or philosophies develops their character and propels the story forward.

What do you do to discover your characters’ viewpoint as to their place in the world and their relationship with their Creator? Do you utilize a worksheet of some kind? Do you interview your characters? Something else?

Thirteen Things about Resources to Utilize for My Writing in 2008




Here are some of the resources I intend to utilize for my writing in 2008. Some are tried and true and I come back to them over and over again; others have yet to be explored. Many have come recommended from others.

1. Materials from an online editing class This class has helped me see just how dynamic the English language is, and how much I need to continually research when editing.

2. Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. This book has been recommended to me by a number of other authors and it’s a great tool for producing a clean, marketable manuscript.

3. You Can Heal Your Life, The Movie A friend told me that this film is going to be showing at a local church next week. I figure I can learn a lot from a woman who healed herself of cancer decades ago and created a publishing empire.

4. Audition: Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part This book is a wonderful tool for authors and directors, as well as actors. I’m going to feature some insights from it here on the blog.

5. Materials from coursework done with Rita Mae Brown I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to take both fiction courses and a screenwriting workshop with Rita Mae. If you ever get a chance to study with her, I highly recommend it.

6. Materials from a consultation with Emma Sweeney It pays to investigate a number of agents and also consult with their clients.

7. Author! Screenwriter! How to Succeed as a Writer in New York and Hollywood While most agents pick only books or only screenplays to represent, Peter Miller sells books, screenplays and television shows. He’s had a very successful career and packs a lot of unique insights into this book.

8. The Sorcerer’s Crossing by Taisha Abelar. A friend recently recommended this to me, saying that while she didn’t resonate with everything that was in it, some of the cleansing exercises opened up her creativity and helped her with her work. I’m all about improving my work.

9. Becoming an Empath: How to Develop the Power of Your Emotional Intuition by Karla McLaren. I found this little gem when Wild Oats was going out of business. At first I was apprehensive, wondering if it could provide anything new to a popular topic. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the author provides a fresh voice to this type of work.

10. I know I’ll frequently return to my bible for entertainment writing, Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit. Don’t let the title fool you. This is a great resource for all types of popular fiction, screenplays and teleplays. The author covers a number of universal writing topics, including storytelling fundamentals, character chemistry, structuring conflict, dialogue and developing theme. I’ll also frequently stop by Mernitman’s blog. He’s currently featuring The Asta Awards for the best romantic comedies of 2007.

11. Divine Magic: The Seven Sacred Secrets of Manifestation by Doreen Virtue. I’ve briefly studied The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece by Three Initiates, but have not yet had the patience nor time to fully comprehend its tenets of manifestation. I’m hoping Doreen Virtue’s take on it will help me gain some more focus to help when I return to it.

12. Introducing Abraham: The Secret Behind the Secret featuring Esther and Jerry Hicks. I know The Secret has been hugely popular, especially after Oprah Winfrey featured some of the performers and the author on her show, but I felt it only scratched the surface. I’m hoping Esther and Jerry Hicks will provide some more insight on the Law of Attraction and how to manifest more of what you want into your life.

13. Intuition classes with Lori Sassen, who is about to embark upon some work with author Joe Vitale.

What resources are you going to utilize to enhance your writing career this year? Do you utilize any of the tools referenced here? If so, which ones and how do they benefit you? What new tools do you want to try?


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Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2008.

I hope you all had a safe, fun holiday this week. Best wishes for a healthy, happy, creative, prosperous and loving 2008. May you have more creative ideas than ever for writing projects, more time than ever to get them completed and more options than ever for getting them sold.