Brainstorming Song of the Day: "Go With the Flow" by Queens of the Stone AgeAfter a week off, we're hopping back in the saddle with the Paper Hangover gang for the Friday Fives. Today they want to know the:
FIVE things that get your creativity juices flowing
Hmm, this is a tricky one, but let's give it a shot:
1. Music. I think this may be a popular one for many writers. Quita and I differ on this, though. While I LOVE listening to music while I write, if it's a song I know too well, I'm going to be singing it from the rooftops instead of getting the words down. Quita can sit down and write through a rock concert, though. So, YES, I love music--but I prefer to listen to lesser known artists while I'm first drafting.
2. Other books. We've heard it all before--in order to be a great writer, you need to read, read, READ. I especially like to keep my eye open for techniques that I need more help in, like setting. Quita likes to look for pacing. Reading work from well-respected authors (and not even just in YA) helps us up our game.
3. Movies. Every Friday night, you can find us at the movie theater. In fact, I got the ideas from the last 2 WIPs I wrote from movies that I loved as a kid. It's not necessarily stealing--it's taking what you love so much about those movies and applying it to your own world.
4. People watching. So, we're no longer teens, but we love writing about them. How do we make our writing authentic? Well, by watching teens of course--and we mean that in the not creepy way. We love eavesdropping in on conversations, or just watching interactions in public areas to make sure we're nailing that teen voice.
5. Attending conferences. We LOVE going to writing conferences! Just mingling with other writers, and hearing words of wisdom from publishing insiders makes it money well spent. Every time we leave a conference or some other writing-related event, we're so motivated to pound the keys on our laptops.
What about you all? What gets your creative juices flowing?
12 comments:
Great list! Had music and reading on mine too. Can't believe I forgot about Conferences! That's a good one. :)
Ooh, people watching... I didn't put that one on my list, but that's a great idea. Whenever I'm in public I find myself wondering what the story is with certain people I see.
Right there with you on music, movies, and other books. I didn't add people watching to my own list, but it's SO true. I love people watching. I used to get so many great ideas from bits of conversations I'd hear while serving tables at the restaurant I used to work at.
My list is similar - I like to listen to music beforehand, but can't always listen to it while writing...I get distracted...hah
I've never been to a writing conference...another thing for the to do list.
#4 for sure! I started to write the exact same point and then thought...oh, they may think I'm creepy! Abort! Abort!
But I absolutely loooooove,listening in on teenagers and their conversations (oh, I'm afraid I should just go with it; it's going to sound creepy either way!) - you never know what you're gonna hear!
Great list!
My list is similar too. WOA was very good for me creatively.
Great list! Awesome indeed. Writers inspire me constantly.
@Christine--yes, you MUST go to a writing conference. SO inspiring.
@Erin- HA! You're awesome for saying "Abort" me and Pam say this constantly :)
@Alicia--WOA was ah-may-zing for us creatively :)
Oh, you've got some good ones! I was going to mention writing conferences too, but I decided to play by the rules and stick to five. Yeah, feel so rejuvenated and enlightened after a conference!
I agree with everything on your list, especially conferences. They can be so expensive but I always walk away inspired. :)
I love writer events! So much fun to meet others. And so inspiring.
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