I don’t know about everyone else out there, but I cannot just sit down at my computer and type out a story. I need my sweet candle scents. I need my music, sexy if I’m writing a love scene, man-hating if my couple has just fought, aggressive if there is some danger…my music suits my mood, as does my candle scent, and my story. I will pick out between 1-12 songs and make a playlist. Some books require only one song to stir my muse. Others is a variety of songs that connect somehow in my mind. Do I actually listen to the music and sing along? It’s the beat. The beat, the scent, and my kids not being anywhere near me that gets me in the mood to write.

But at the holidays?

I have yet to find a way to beat writer’s block at the holidays. Wait! Writer’s block? What writer’s block? I just don’t have time to write. So when you are stumped and short of time, skip the mood setters and go straight for the weird. At least that works for me. My friends and I will put together 3 items and then free write about them. Anything we want, any amount, for a set amount of time. Then we share what we wrote. I usually keep mine in a story idea folder. You never know when that Nyquil induced story will find a way to your editor’s desk with a contract.

When I am desperate I will clean. Dishes, laundry…mind numbing jobs that let my mind…and muse… wander. Sometimes – just sometimes – it pays off

What do you do to get in the mood or to beat Writer’s block at the Holidays?

Michelle