In the mood
Saturday, I finally submitted the proposal for the second story in my Fire trilogy, tentatively titled Through the Fire. I love this series, the characters, their personal journeys and the suspense. But I had a really challenging time with the synopsis. Even though I’d gotten everything on paper – character goals, motivations, conflicts, suspense plot, romance plot, turning points – I sensed there was something wrong with it. I just couldn’t identify what it was.
For several days, I’d open the Word file, tighten the copy, move paragraphs around. Still the story summary wasn’t working for me, and I couldn’t put my mind to the problem.
About a week later, I had lunch with two friends who are also co-workers. These women are incredibly smart, spiritual and flat-out hilarious. They can make you laugh until you can’t breathe. They’re also very positive people. Even when they’re down, they have a great perspective on those challenges and refuse to be negative.
It wasn’t until after that lunch, I realized the negativity I’d been experiencing for the past couple of weeks at my day job had thrown a wet blanket over my writing. With my friends’ help, I was able to crawl out from under that blanket and take on a much more positive outlook.
That night, I went home, opened the Word file and fixed the synopsis. Eureka!
This long story is my way of saying it’s amazing the impact a writer’s mood has on her story. Have you had similar experiences you could share with us?
Before you leave, I’d like to invite you to On Fire’s online book release party. Coffee Time Romance, an Internet reader community, is generously hosting the party for me.
Date: Sept. 6, 2007
Time: 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST
Place: www.CoffeeTimeRomance.com/chat
I hope you’ll join me – and bring a friend.
Patricia
2 comments:
Patricia,
I usually find that when I'm not getting anything done, it means I'm burnt out and need to take a break from my manuscript. It works every time.
I'm a creature of moods (I'm a Moonchild), but I'm also so accustomed to writing that it's like breathing for me . . . I work whether I'm in the clouds or in the doldrums.
Hi, Bettye. How are you? Thank you for stopping by to share your thoughts on being in the mood to write. My experience is most creative people really are sensitive to their surroundings and it does affect their work.
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