This week: getting in the mood when I don’t feel like writing; an update on my writing; The Spike-related links; and motivation from authortube.
toned
Every author has done it. They’ve sat down with the best intentions to write, they open their document, and… nothing. Words won’t word, and everything else seems more interesting, even chores you’ve spent the rest of the day putting off.
There are a ludicrous number of articles and videos online that claim to have the answer, but in my opinion, there isn’t one answer to fit all.
Many people like to leave the home and go to a public space like a coffee shop or library. Personally, I prefer there to be less going on around me.
I sometimes use my day job’s office, in the evening after work or during the day on a weekend, as it’s a place I’m used to focussing on my screen and there aren’t many distractions.
Most of the time, though, I will be at home in my small flat where I don’t have room for a dedicated writing area and I use my computing desk. I’ve cultivated a few tricks to get me in the right frame of mind, and I share them in the hope they might be helpful to someone else.
Mood lighting
My keyboard, mouse, and mouse mat all have coloured LEDs, and I have two “tower” LEDs behind my monitor and an LED lamp beside my desk. I use them in different colours from time to time, but I always reserve orange for when I want to write.
Everything I’ve released relating to The Spike has incorporated orange somewhere, and after having used the lights like this for a while, I’ve trained my brain to associate the orange lighting with writing. This is an adaptation of an idea I heard somewhere else (I can’t remember where), and it really does work.
Watch something inspirational
To get some inspiration, I like watching other authors on YouTube (authortube). Seeing other creatives doing well, or persevering despite struggling, is motivational, and sometimes them talking about their stories or their processes will trigger an idea. At the very least, it gets me thinking about writing.
My favourite channels to follow are:
Meredith E. Phillips
brielle writes
Sara Lubratt
CodyTheWriter
becca tobar
Set the tone with music
I live above and beside noisy neighbours, and noise-cancelling headphones alone aren’t enough to block out the disturbances, so I listen to a carefully-curated collection of music.
The most important thing is there must not be any lyrics, as the last thing I need when trying to bring forth words is for other words to be sung directly into my ears. TV and film soundtracks are perfect, and I will pick one that has a feel relevant to what I’m currently writing.
Some of my favourite soundtracks are:
The Dark Knight trilogy by Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard
Mr Robot by Mac Quayle
Bosch by Jesse Voccia
The Road by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
And, whilst I’m writing this, I’m listening to Sneakers by James Horner.
Each individual needs to find the combination that works best for them. Something that doesn’t work by itself might be the final piece of the puzzle when allied correctly.
What works for you? Let me know in the comments.
progress_report
Yet again, I beat my prior week’s word count, if only by 21 – this week I wrote 5,762 words.
Last Saturday, I finished the day really pleased with the two chapters I’d written, then when I sat down to relax for the rest of the evening, I came up with an idea that would make them so much better. It will mean completely rewriting one of the chapters I’d just done, but it will be worth it. Such is the life of an author.
I have just two chapters and the epilogue left to write on this draft, which is exciting. I have the final two proper chapters carefully plotted, and they crossover with what I’ve already written in parts 1 and 2, but the epilogue I like to leave until the rest is done. I know roughly what will happen, but I want to incorporate things that have been said and done previously and tie everything together. It will be tricky but I’m looking forward to it.
Once the epilogue is done, the draft will be finished, and I’m going to put it away for a bit. My next task is to go through The Spike Volume 1 and complete the series bible I’ve (barely) started. This will be crucial to ensuring there are no continuity errors, and I’ll be looking out for even small things, like a particular character joking they need coffee when they’ve previously said they don’t like it.
Revision makes use of the analytical part of my brain as much as the creative side, and I’m well practiced with that from my day job, so in theory it shouldn’t be too painful. But I’ll be revising three books at once so there’s a lot of work still to do.
status.vol2
The Spike Volume 2 will contain three separate books from the perspective of seven characters.
Part 1 – draft 2 complete; further chapters to add.
Part 2 – draft 2 complete!
Part 3 – draft 2 written up to chapter 63; three chapters to go.
Draft 2 of part 3 will be completed by Wednesday, meeting my revised target of the end of April.
The ultimate aim is to have Volume 2 finished by the end of 2025 for publication early 2026.
connecting_links
The Spike is set in our world, incorporating real events; the links below are relevant to the themes and overarching storyline, and may or may not provide clues to the direction of the series.
I do not necessarily agree with or endorse any of the views within.
‘Silicon Six’ accused of avoiding almost $278bn in US corporation taxes over 10 years
There’s only one way to fight the climate greenlash: appeal to the naysayers’ self-interest
Clearly cool: A transparent paper-based material could replace single-use plastics
Area 51: What is it and what goes on there?
Noninvasive technologies can map and target human brain with unprecedented precision
A weird phrase is plaguing scientific papers – and we traced it back to a glitch in AI training data
weekly_inspiration
Every week I share something that’s inspired my creativity.
This week, I’m sharing a video from one of the authortubers I mention above. Becca’s videos have motivated me in the past, and I’m sure will continue to do so in future.
What’s inspired you this week? Please share in the comments.
See you next week.
Arrowmaker Books 