I’ve noticed in the past that my mood influences my writing.
It’s been a really busy last few days, as I mentioned yesterday. I’m trying to take things a little slower now and plan some of my day ahead of time.
But it’s still busy. And that, unfortunately, makes me cranky. I don’t really like to be busy. But busy is a way of life for me.
I noticed my crankiness coming through a character a couple of days ago. The scene involved a neighbor’s visit and was intended to be a springboard to set up a murder.
My protagonist, though, didn’t want to be visited. She wanted to be very still and drink herbal tea. She was decidedly grouchy when she answered the door and ungracious during the course of the visit. And she wasn’t supposed to be!
I stopped writing the scene and worked on another part of the book—a section where there was real tension in the room and the characters were all angry with each other.
I could write tension and conflict perfectly. :)
Some books I’ve written straight through from start to finish. If I run into a block, though, or if the writing gets too close to me (because I don’t write myself into books) , it’s better to just open another Word document, save it under a scene description, and write the scene I’m in the mood to write.
Fortunately, most books have as many different types of scenes as there are moods.
Sometimes I’m in a really peppy, lighthearted mood and comedy comes easily to me. If I’ve got excessive amounts of energy, then I’ll write an action scene. If I’m not feeling particularly creative, I’ll revise a book (I usually have a book I’m revising and one that I’m writing.)
My muse and I have never been on speaking terms. Luckily, I can work around her.
Do you write out of order sometimes? Do you ever feel your mood leaking into your writing?
I do feel my mood seeping into my writing at times. I don’t write out of order but I will often put one project aside and work on something else if I need to.
What a good idea! To switch to a scene that fits your mood. I’ll have to try it. I do sometimes use music to try and get myself in the right mood, but I never thought of doing it the other way around.
Elizabeth – I like the idea of using our moods – harnessing them. I don’t usually write out of order (although I’ve done that), but my mood definitely affects the way the story goes. If it’s ONE OF THOSE DAYS, for instance, instead of having a character just go to the grocery store, I might have him drop a jar of preserves in the parking lot, spilling them all over the ground and his shoes. I suppose it’s not fair to take crankiness out on our characters, but I’m the author. I get to do that ;-).
Sarah–I think it’s great to have more than one project at a time going on. :)
I haven’t written out of order yet, but the temptation has been there. I may give it a try the next time I’m having trouble with a particular scene.
I’ve never been able to write out of order because I’ve never known where I’m going beyond the next scene or two. But I will on my next project.
In the past when I’m out of sorts, instead of writing I’ll work on some other aspect, whether it’s revision or something else. Going forward, I’ll have more options.
It’s good to know I’m not the only from-time-to-time cranky writer :)
Happy Weekend!
I do write out of order at times, but had never really paid attention to how my mood was affecting that. After reading your post, it makes perfect sense. And that is why it is so hard for us to write when we are dealing with more than just the day-to-day mood swings. When we are in the throes of grief, for instance, it is incredibly hard to write almost anything.
I have found that if my muse is cranky, I go with it. That is, I write a cranky character. Like you, I might set aside a scene where the mood doesn’t fit… but first I always ask myself “Will this add energy to the scene? Will this add energy to another scene?”
Because it _does_ add energy. The question is only whether that’s the right place to put that energy.
I’ve done this. I found it an example of ‘If you can’t beat it, join it’.
Yes, I write out of order sometimes. I don’t know if when I do that it’s because of my mood. I never really payed attention to it that way. Makes a lot of sense though!
Yeah, absolutely. But if my ‘muse’, and frankly I hate that word, is out of sorts, I simply start a new work that reflects my new mood. It’s a good thing.
I usually don’t write out of order, but mood will affect which project I work on at which times. And sometimes that means not working on anything!
I try to stay focused on what i need to write regardless of my mood. But one’s mood can get in the way. I can write humor regardless of how I feel. So if I’m feeling down or mad, I can always write humor into a section.
I try to mostly relax when I write but I definitely notice a tendency to tap my day–I am filling holes for What Ales Me and realized a huge amount of snarkiness up front when her ex was dropping of their son… I didn’t mean for her to BE a ‘bitter about the ex’ character, but MAN, I musta been havin’ a day… Since it wasn’t something I’d thought a ton about, I let it work for me–it roughens her edges a little to give her some snark–especially when it is domain specific like that.
I haven’t tried this but I love the idea. This could work really well! A way to combat the uncooperative muse, I love it!
I’ve never noticed. I usually just plow straight through to the end.
I’ve found this to be the case with me. I don’t like to write happy scenes when I’m in a bad mood because it makes my scenes moody. I like your post.
Oh, this is so true! When I’m cranky I can nail a nasty scene. Just never realized it until reading your blog. Very cool. Thanks for the great post.
This is perfect advice. I’ve written according to my mood, just didn’t realize that’s what I was doing.
I’m with Joelle, I’ve been writing according to my mood all along but didn’t realize that’s what I was doing. I think it’s a good way to write, but I admire those who put themselves on a schedule and stick to it. It seems they are more productive; perhaps not.
Liked the post, and I have a question. What does “I don’t write myself into books” mean? Never heard that term before.
Thanks!
Paul–The transitions in a book will need an edit after writing out of order, but it’s a good way to get through a book quickly.
Ellis–It can be a good productivity tool. And I’ve gotten some good writing done that way..particularly during my trickier moods.
Margot–I think I just try to keep myself out of my books..doesn’t work sometimes, though!
Laura–It does, doesn’t it?
Bluestocking–I can imagine just skipping the writing if the mood is bad enough. Deadlines usually force me to write, regardless, so I’m trying to work with it.
Stephen–And maybe your writing humor improves your mood?
Carol–It’s hard to write when cranky! I’m learning, though. :) Good luck with your outlining. I just usually have a vague idea where my story is heading.
Maryann–Oh, I can only imagine trying to write a book while grieving. We’d really have to compartmentalize our feelings and I’m not sure I could do it. Maybe I’d have to write a non-series book in a different genre…
The Daring Novelist–I think I made that character *too* hard (I was spitting nails at the time, I think), but I did like one new thing the tension brought to the scene. I may have to edit it carefully later.
Elspeth–Good way of putting it!
Hart–You make a good point about it–maybe we should take a look and see if the harder edge *works*. I think I made my protagonist too grouchy, but maybe I’ll leave a little bit of the tension in the scene.
Heather–Hope it helps!
Julia–Yeah, if I’ve got a muse, she’s sure not very helpful.
Alex–I’ve been able to do that with a couple of books, too. Particularly if I’m under a tight deadline and don’t have the luxury of time.
Clarissa–Thanks! I’m glad I’m not the only one who writes that way.
Hope–Lately, I’ve been so cranky that I have enough material for tension for several books! :)
Joelle–I’ve found it’s another way to keep productive when I don’t want to write whatever the next scene is.
I like to kill people (in my writing) when I’m in a bad mood or angry about something. Works perfectly. I often see my mood coming through when I review previously written material a day or two later.
I’m so glad you’re talking about this, because this has always been true for me, and I sometimes feel guilty because I feel like you’re supposed to write the same thing in order. >.> I tend to write a lot of things out of order, and they eventually all come together, and it’s this writing approach that has made me happiest. Because, like you say, sometimes you’re not in the mood for a certain thing.
“My muse and I have never been on speaking terms. Luckily, I can work around her.”
Love it – thank you!
Appreciate the post, especially since my muse wants me to sit on the couch and watch TV with her. She’s not great at her job.