Whatever Works by Cheryl Harper

Writing. At some point, I hope I'll figure out how to do it successfully. Until then, every new book presents the thrilling adventure of "Am I going to make it this time?" Here are some weird things that helped me limp across the finish the line. I'm curious. Anybody have other "creative" things that have helped when you needed it most?

 Travel guides: Yes, I've been to Miami before. Yes, I can search online. There's just something about holding the book, complete with pretty photos, in my hands.


Thinking socks: I've amassed a collection of socks to help my creativity flow. Don't ask me how they work. 



Background noise: My setting is Miami. To me, that means one show: Burn Notice. No, I'm not writing about a burned spy (although I yearn to some days, mainly when I'm behind on the book I should be working on), but the scenery, the music, the sun and sand, and the mojitos all work. 

A little atmosphere: Pineapple. That's the candle that sputtered and died as I rounded the corner into the final chapter. Salsa music. Yes, really. There's a scene that depended upon it, and I learned that music can drown out the"I don't know what happens next" panic in my head.

As always, the best motivator and guarantee I'll get some writing done is a deadline breathing down my neck. That works like a charm! I'd love to hear some crazy, creative tips and tricks to get your brain moving. They don't even have to be related to writing! And if you're interested in Miami, Key West, sun, sand, salsa, and cubanos, have I got a series coming up for you? I hope so. I really do. I've written one book. Who knows whether I'll remember how to do it all over again for book two.

Comments

  1. I like these tips for writing motivation, Cheryl, and think I must try some of them, especially the music one. My problem is distraction. Unless a deadline is looming, I seem to get off-track by almost anything....even house cleaning! A series in Key West would be a nice distraction for me. :)

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  2. I like the tips and think I'm going to try the socks as we go into fall. I'm a fan of socks anyway...

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  3. Thanks for this post. Now I don't feel so odd having special earrings I wore to work on a book some years back. Or the scarf I used for another. Something about those items helped me switch hats and get in the right frame of mind, in my case from putting aside the medical and self-help nonfiction books I was writing (usually ghosting) to an island world with beaches and sailboats. I like the special socks, though. I may give them a try.

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  4. I pray. Desperately! :-) So glad I'm not the only one who limps through a book! And I'm bookmarking this and trying some of your tips!

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  5. I love the idea of thinking socks. I'm big on soaking in the tub to get the ideas flowing. Maybe I should figure out dictation software and I could actually write from the tub.

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  6. Love the socks! Great idea. I try to have pictures of my setting to help me stay in writing mode. Of course those pictures make me want to go on vacation....

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  7. Sometimes I go to a different place to write. I go over ideas in my head as I'm settling in for sleep, hoping my brain will come up with something creative by morning. Sometimes I read something totally different, or watch something totally different, so by breaking the routine, I might come back fresh.

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  8. I love scents, so I try to burn a candle that will inspire me. I think the pineapple one is terrific! I will have to try that. I know people who make really long playlists for each book they write, but I've never been able to do that. Music distracts me too much unless it's very soft acoustical music in the background, like Yiruma or classical. Anything else pulls me out of my zone. But, like you, my biggest motivator is a deadline. Seems I always do my best (and fastest) writing when I'm almost out of time.

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