Monday 18 June 2012

Writer Stuff: Making Mischievous Happen


Zooey Deschanel and Liz Meriwether.  Probably
laughing at the fact that I'm not published ...

New Girl is without question my favourite new show this year.  It has all kinds of funny, great setups, tons of romantic tension, and ... Schmidt!!   What's not to like!!??!!

Liz Meriwether, who writes the show for Fox, says that she often writes when she's feeling mischievous.  I think my best writing happens when I'm in that kind of state, but sadly, it's a little hard to feel "mischievous" at 5:30am when I'm trying to cram in writing before the day-job starts and I can barely put instant oatmeal together, let alone write complete sentences.

So once in awhile I need to Make the Mischievous Happen.  This is easier said that done, but when I need some inspiration, I almost always turn to my hero.  And he, like a good hero that he is, always reminds me why I love to write.

Current inspiration?  Aaron Eckhart.
You're welcome.
I collect photos of him (always an actor - easier to mimic them in my books I find if they're living, breathing things ... with a good set of abs, of course) and peruse the photos when the time is necessary.  I've done collaging, Microsoft Movie Maker, and am currently setting up a Pinterest account.  I'm not sure I need all three mediums in order to gain inspiration to write ... but unlike fashion, finding inspiration should not be relegated to the 'Less is More' category.  When you need help writing, it's definitely 'More is More'.

How do you re-inspire yourself when you're stuck?    Have you tried collaging?  Movie Maker?  Pinterest?

4 comments:

  1. I love Pinterest I think a bit too much these days. It doesn't work for me as an inspiration tool though because I think I'm always looking for the next great picture instead of reflecting on what I've collected. I like OneNote for collecting stuff but there is time I miss the old fashioned scrapbook! Thought I might actually do that. But whatever works -hey, just do it.

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  2. When I get stuck, I usually go do some research on my setting or my character's job or that year's fashions. I'll often find something interesting that I'm keen to work into the story. On the other hand, sometimes the urge to research things to death is what sucks me out of the story in the first place...

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  3. I adore New Girl, it makes me feel young. ; )

    I have a small book and deck of cards called The Observation Deck, by Naomi Apel. When I'm frustrated I shuffle the cards, draw one, and then make myself write a scene using the prompt. It's amazing how it works even when I frown at the card and say out loud, "This has nothing to do with what I'm writing." Today's card is "slow down".

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  4. I do elaborate character graphs, charts, photo collages. It's a serious time suck, but usually digging deeper into my character's history leads me to the kinds of situations they'd find themselves in, in their futures.

    Oh, and love NEW GIRL!!! My husband does, too. We're both Schmidt fans.

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