I'm trying to post every day. I have nothing to say, but why should that stop me?

[carolinecrane]

I went across the street to Starbucks just now to get some mediocre espresso and there was a large group of fresh-faced students standing outside the building. They're walking around inside now throwing around words like 'facade', and I can only assume that they're taking an Architecture course on how not to build a building, because this is about the most poorly designed structure I've ever had the pleasure of spending seven years in.

SEVEN YEARS. God.

Anyway. It's one of those weird days that started out warm and blustery and you could feel the storm coming on. It's broken now so it's pouring and it looks like nightfall out there and it's the kind of day you just want to be in bed with nowhere to go. Alas.

Of course the novel I'm working on is set in the desert in the dead of summer, and this weather is not helping at all. This is why I make writing mixes. If the weather isn't cooperating, sometimes music helps put you in the right mood. Not that I've written anything yet today. But it's not even lunch time; there's still hope.

Comments

[mythicgeek]

Out of curiosity what do you tend to put in your writing mixes? I only have one right now, and it's populated by all kinds of instrumental music. I find that words distract me, as well as popular songs I know well, I I have to use something I won't start singing along to.

At the same time though the same mix won't work for all stories so I need to figure out some more genre-specific playlists. Maybe I need to scour some movie soundtracks.

[carolinecrane]

I usually use songs with words, yes, which works for me because it means when I'm in my car or doing paperwork or whatever, I can listen to a certain mix and it puts me in mind of the story/helps me work through tricky plot points in the back of my mind while I'm doing other things.

For the most part I make a mix for every writing project, including my original novels, so they tend to set the mood for that particular story. There are songs now that are so tied to certain characters/universes for me that I can't hear them without thinking about that character.

But lucky for me when I'm writing my brain stops focusing on the words of the songs so I don't get distracted by the music. I know it doesn't work that way for everyone. I can write to movies I've seen a bunch of times as well (and also bad horror) because I don't have to pay attention to the plot.

[mythicgeek]

I can only sometimes write to movies I've seen over and over, but usually, it just makes me want to write fanfic, not original fiction. So I definitely think I need some new mixes to go with certain projects because the feel of some of them just isn't right.

I might try some songs in other languages (I think I may have a bit of Korean pop to choose from. Only a little lol) because the words distract me. I always have difficulty understanding lyrics so my brain goes into overdrive trying to hear and process. If it's in a language I know I don't speak, maybe that'll make my brain quit trying?

Who knows. I just know I need variety.

[ophelias_heart]

The building is definitely a what-not-to-build! If it makes you feel any better I've been here fourteen years. Is that the same novel? I didn't realize it was set in the desert.

[carolinecrane]

Apparently they were looking at the use of different building materials, which makes sense, since every material known to man was used in that sad building. I suggested we show them the plumbing, but they probably don't have great insurance.

This isn't the ghost story novel (that's set in TN) if that's what you mean. This one is a gay romance set in Nevada. I've been working on it for years but I let myself get distracted by fic all the time and never finish anything.

[ophelias_heart]

The ghost story novel was the one I was thinking about. And while I understand the want to show the use of different building materials I hope what they took away from this building is don't.