Greetings, writers! What are the sounds around you, the soundtrack of your life?
From my writing spot, I hear birds tweeting, the low hum of distant traffic, and sometimes the ruffling of leaves as they become plush and green on the trees right outside my window.
It depends on what I’m writing each day, but I like to add a little music to the background, to motivate my creativity and ease me into whatever story I aim to tell. As such, I’ve created soundtracks, if you will, for my writing time.
I am currently working on a new novel, set in Scotland and Michigan, and so when I am writing a chapter that takes place near Loch Lomond or in the stone streets of modern Edinburgh, I play my Scotland playlist or my Scottish Highlands playlist.
When I’m working on a serious creative nonfiction essay, I lean on either my Mellow Music playlist or this gorgeous one from my writer friend CL Walters. And if I’m just hoping for a creative burst, my Writing Playlist is a good soundtrack.
Making Writing a Habit
If you want to make writing your life, it’s essential to create a routine. I write five days a week for 3-4 hours each morning, and I schedule my writing time by project. While I’m working on a book, like I am now, I chip away at it day after day until I’ve got a good solid draft. Then I might take a break to work on some stand-alone essays before I head back in to revise.
I make my writing space inviting and warm - lovely candles, sometimes I light incense, I rest my feet (in cozy socks) on a chair so I can stretch out my legs, and I’m ready to go.
Becoming a career author means dedicating time, effort and focus to your art: the words on the page, the ideas in your head. When writing is a habit, the inevitable stagnant days when you might claim writer’s block are not such a big deal. It’s just one day and you open up a document to see how you can make it better and before you know it, you’re back to generating new stories and beautiful sentences.
A Mid-May Writing Prompt
Pick a song from one of the playlists shared above and start writing. No agenda. No intention. Just write.
See what flows from as waves of music overtake you. I’d love to hear what comes out!
Join me in June for the ASJA Virtual Conference!
I’ve had such fun as the Books Track Chair for the ASJA Virtual Conference, which takes place June 13-15. I’m pretty excited about the Books Track, which features such amazing author-speakers as Sarah Cypher, Kristine Hansen, Dr. Marcia Layton Turner, Elizabeth Gowing, David Crumm, Lisa Peers, Barbara Stark-Nemon, Anne-Marie Oomen, Desiree Cooper, CL Walters, Annie Cathryn, Becky Robinson, Melinda Wenner Moyer and more!! And don’t miss the books track keynote speaker, Ly Tran!
I’ll also be presenting on Writing a Book and Getting it Done (Wednesday June 14) - how to stay motivated to complete your manuscript without burning out, stalling, or chucking the whole thing. And I’ll be moderating two sessions as well.
Use my discount - IKNOWASPEAKER - if you’d like to register here.
Subscriber Update
Thank you to all the paid subscribers who support this newsletter! If you like what you’re reading, I’d sure appreciate your support. Paid subscribers are in the running for a book giveaway each month. (This month’s lucky winner will receive a copy of Annie Cathryn’s novel, The Friendship Breakup.) I’ll announce the May winner in the June 5th newsletter, so there’s time for you to join!
Our next paid-subscriber writing coaching meetup will be June 26 at 2 p.m. ET on Zoom. I’d sure love to see you there.
Thank you all for reading!! I hope you find the Rebel Author Newsletter inspiring, useful, and more. I’d love your feedback! Click here to share.
Love, Lynne