I admit it. Often, intense emotions drive my writing efforts. It is not always the case, but frequently I can't seem to get going unless an uneven mood is enticed. I deliberately coax out dormant feelings or generate new ones through repetitive playing of a certain kind of music. Yes, my writing has a soundtrack.
Sure, I am not the only one who listens to music while writing, or who gets inspired by a song. But as opposed to having pleasant background music filler to keep me company, playing the music is an active part of the process. In essence, by listening to the same song or set of songs repeteadly, I believe I am putting myself in a trance of sorts, a state of mind where I can experience deep emotions that may not necessarily be connected to anything in my life other than the moment I am writing. These emotions, instead of derailing me, turn my focus razor-sharp. Welcome to creative writing for adults with ADD.
As opposed to what has been called method writing (I googled the term because I just knew someone would try to give writing the Stanislavsky treatment), I can't really say that I am drawing upon past memories. I think it's more a matter of suggestion than remembrance.
Regardless of how it comes to light, it remains to be seen if the product of all these efforts is any good.
I think most of us write better when we are feeling something intensely, either in a happy or sad way. For me, music is too much stimulation, if I go there I get lost in memories and feelings I'd rather not experience at the moment. I am more likely to write when it's absolutely quiet in the house, just as it is now!
ReplyDeleteMost, if not ALL of my writing and actions in real life are emotionally driven.
ReplyDeleteActually, I wish I could get a better handle on that.
It helps me write, but I wish I could turn the emotions on and off at will. It sometimes takes me a while to get back to normal, and I have been known to lash out at my family or to have crying bouts.
ReplyDeleteIdeally I wish I could write without any emotional prompts. But it's just not how it happens for me.