If you like to read romance novels of all genres, join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all...about our writing, of course! Every week we'll answer the same questions. Once you've read my blog, the link below will direct you to another. Tell your friends and feel free to ask questions or make comments.
Our blog tour will six months old on July 29th. To celebrate our first milestone, the authors of Romance Weekly are giving back some of the love. We have incredible prizes on offer, including a Kindle Fire and multiple romance libraries. Enter for free by CLICKING HERE! If you've joined me from S. C. Mitchell, welcome! Here are my answers: If someone could observe you writing without you knowing they were there, what strange practices might they catch you doing? Sitting with my eyes closed, sniffing. For some scenes the setting is vital to the mood. I like to visualize it in my mind before I start to write, although visualizing implies only seeing it. I try to put myself right in the scene and not only see where I am, but touch it, hear it and smell it. Scent evokes strong memories, and I like to use it as often as I can. Here's an exercise for you – visualize your local library or bookstore. Can you just smell the paper and ink? Hear the creak of wooden floors boards as you browse the stacks? Feel your fingers bumping along the smooth spines as you trace the shelves? Now write a paragraph about that library or bookstore without using descriptors that imply sight. Other than a creative outlet, how does writing benefit you? In my day job, I am also a writer – of television commercials. So I suppose you can say writing benefits me because it pays the bills. But writing novels benefits me by keeping my brain engaged as I work through plot points and character foibles. It forces me to do my chores so I can carve out time to write. And it keeps me happy. When I'm not writing, I feel like I should be, and the guilt makes me cranky! How do you feed your muse? Reading, reading and more reading. All kinds of books (although mostly other romance) whenever and wherever I can. There are certain writers – Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Courtney Milan – who inspire me to write, if only I can tear myself away from their books. But even books that don't pull me in help me. When I'm reading a book that doesn't quite work for me I analyze why it doesn't. Does it feel overwritten to me? Are the characters a little too perfect? Is the plot flowing naturally or does it feel forced? All of this sends me back to my laptop with the competitive urge to make my manuscript better, by learning from what I didn't connect with. Now it's time to move on and see what odd things Nina Mason does when she's writing!
15 Comments
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 05:52:44 am
Smells are very strong memory enhancers. I know I notice them when other writers use them. 5/20/2014 09:41:22 am
Smell is also a big one for me. I started out life as an actress and we were made to sit in rooms and sniff
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 09:42:53 am
That is a very odd visual. :-D 5/20/2014 10:33:57 am
Funny. As I pictured you closing your eyes and imaging the scene, I thought of one of my favorite coffee mugs: I'm not quiet, I'm plotting. :)
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 01:14:20 pm
As long as I'm not napping while sitting up, I think I'm good!
Carolyn Spear
5/20/2014 11:11:26 am
Chores? I don't do no stupid chores!
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 01:15:36 pm
Well, I certainly don't do them often enough, and some nights writing definitely takes over. But I do have to squeeze them in some time!
jami denise
5/20/2014 12:37:18 pm
That's so cool that you write commercials! Very interesting. I really love the idea of scent! I must try this as well!
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 01:16:53 pm
Writing commercials can be fun, if you get a client who wants something other than "plenty of free parking, with 150 years of combined experience." And I've certainly learned a little bit about a lot of jobs over the years!
J.J. Devine
5/20/2014 12:51:42 pm
I do that too, put myself in the scene. Try to envision the surroundings, the smells, the tastes, ect. :) Glad to know I'm not the only one :)
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 01:17:38 pm
I read it once in a great writing book by Lawrence Block called "Telling Lies for Fun and Profit." I really does work! 5/20/2014 02:06:23 pm
I loved how you were able to help me visualize the bookstore or library. I immediately knew what smell you were referring to and I was transported there. I try to do the same. When I feel that there something isn't working in a scene and take a moment and close my eyes in order to engage other senses other than sight to find out what could be missing.
Brenda Margriet
5/20/2014 02:10:52 pm
Thanks, Fiona, for "seeing" my bookstore. Unfortunately, you probably have never seen one of my commercials, as I work for a small station in Norther BC. But I love to write commercials with a romantic message when I get the chance! 5/20/2014 08:29:11 pm
I love the way you use all your senses to write the story. It makes the description so vivid and well-rounded. Now I can really smell those books, too! Leave a Reply. |