My mood drops with the temperature as the cold seasons arrive. I only realize this when the sun comes back and the green shoots start to appear. That's when I can compare my new sunny mood to the gloomy cloud hovering above me during the winter.
I'm sure this isn't very professional, but my mood influences my writing. The story becomes darker during the overcast months and lighter as the days become brighter. In fact, it's lucky I don't write romantic comedy. The upbeat nature of the story might turn into a tragic or angry one if I haven't finished it before the leaves begin to fall.
There are many other factors that influence my writing, like tiredness, what I'm reading, what I've just learnt... I admire the writers who can sit in their writing bubble and block out the outside world while they plunge into their own imaginary one.
I do admit, however, that this is a two-way path for me. I have found that what I'm writing can influence my mood too. I've even ended up laughing as I wrote a scene, so hopefully I will be able to find a balance between my seasonal moods and what I write. Otherwise, I will have to write horror novels during the cold seasons and romantic fiction during the other half of the year.
What influences your writing?
Hi Sarah, I've noticed that I get loads of ideas when I've had no sleep. My brain seems sharper and I can think clearly. I agree that what you're writing can affect your mood. If my character is feeling sad or angry, I find myself feeling the same and have to remind myself it's just the book!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting post, Sarah. I tend to hoover out my head when I write, so if I've had a tough day at work, my character has to have a tough day as well. If I'm hungry, they are hungry too and if I'm drinking wine, I allow them to join me and have a glass or two. It seems only fair.
ReplyDeleteWell, writing horror at times AND romantic comedy at others will keep you very busy!
ReplyDeleteAnd I admire that you write when tired. I tend to spend that time reading or watching silly television.
Hi Sarah. Music can do it for me and although I write in absolute silence, the mood that has been created escapes through the writing.
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Laura.
I write more in the winter - and not because I'm leading such a busy, exciting life in summer. Given how dark my stuff is, it might just be that the season suits my psyche: you can get up to a lot of mischief when the sun disappears....
ReplyDeleteI'm in college, and where I am in a semester influences my writing. When a semester start, I am energetic and spilling over with new ideas. Later, usually after the midterms, I am just trying to survive and my writing is more sparse.
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteI've awarded you the Liebstaer Blog Award. Details on my blog here http://nettiethomson.com/2011/11/17/leibster-blog-award/
Nxxx
I think I write more earthy material in the winter; tales about leaves and earth, trees and maggots. It's a forest walk / woolly jumper thing, what I experience during the day. Currently writing about ginger wine and log fires... But I like winter. I'm a pink, freckled ice-cream stain in the summer (and deeply envious of all those who tan and look wonderful). Christmas pudding girl, me.
ReplyDeleteSarah, it's not unprofessional to let mood affect writing! It's a) natural and good and b) for fiction, necessary. And your two-way observation is very true and useful, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, many writers do their best and most emotionally rich writing when not at their happiest, even when depressed. A silver lining!
Remember when you're down that the downs can make the ups even better :) xx