Romance Writers Use Music Prompts

I'm so not a Romance writer. It's one genre, I recently told a dear friend of mine, that I just don't read. Not trying to knock it, but it's just not my thing.

However, I get it. Many write and love the Romance genre. As I'm sitting at my computer listening to iTunes as I blog, I heard two songs that even inspired me, a non-Romance guy, to think of possible stories revolving around that age old passion that draws men and women: love.

Now love must be complicated. It must be hard. Obstacles are required to make a good story. Lovers just can't meet and then they live happily ever after. They must face obstacles. They must fight for the love they desire - often against seemingly insurmountable odds. That makes a great story.

To spur any would-be Romance writers, I offer two songs as prompts. Listen to them. Use them as prompts to write a story about lovers fighting against the world. Those are the stories that readers want. Two against the world. Another dear friend I spoke to today used the phrase, "Ride or die."

Rather appropriate. It creates conflict. Drama. Passion. Do you feel it? Yes? Then write it. Here are two songs I believe can inspire you to write a tale of Romance:

"Don't Worry Baby," by The Beach Boys.

"A Thousand Years," by Christina Perri.

Writing Through Hardship

Life is full of moments that test us. Hardships. Failures. Heartaches. These are the stuff of life. Yes, happy moments are also part of life. But the tough times often define us the most.

As a writer, it is during tough times - like this moment of hardship and heartache that I find myself in - that I find comfort in words. Pouring my heart out on the page (Yes, I am old school and still use pen and paper) helps me endure.

If you are going through a tough time, consider writing through it. Don't worry if it looks pretty. Don't worry about grammar. Nobody but you has to see it. Just write through the pain. Write through the tears.

Often my pages are stained with tears. It's ok. That is genuineness on the page. Write. Heal. Write some more. Heal some more.

3 Creative Writing Bits Of Wisdom To Inspire You

One of the privileges of being a college instructor is having an office. One of the practices on my campus involves instructors decorating their doors with posters, sayings, etc. I decided to add some creative writing quotes and wisdom on my door. Here are some I culled from my Internet search:

"If I waited till I felt like writing, I'd never write at all." - Anne Tyler

This is so true. Writing is scary - especially when you are in the midst of a dry spell, when nothing you write sounds right, when all you can come up with is crap. But write anyway. Write crap till the magic returns.

"I'm a writer. Anything you say or do may be used in a story."

I love this. I found this unattributed nugget and had to include it. Lesson one for beginning writers is this quote. You use EVERYTHING you encounter in your day-to-day happenings to fuel your writing. I tell my students this story all the time. Two of my daughters were arguing over clothes once. Really frustrating. So...I wrote a scene in my Mall Demons Series where two characters, sisters, are arguing over a blouse. The climactic scene involved one of the sisters being eaten by a demon because of what she did to her sister. 

Lastly (for now),

"Sometimes only paper will listen to you."

Another unattributed saying that empowers any and all who have something to say but feel they have no outlet for their words. Maybe the people in your life won't listen, but your friend, the paper you are writing on, or the screen you are typing on, will listen. And that is a wonderful thing. So...write.

What Is Writing?

Here is something I came across about the art of writing:

Whence did the wond'rous mystic art arise,
Of painting SPEECH and speaking to the eyes?
that we, by tracing magic lines, are taught
How both to the colour and embody THOUGHT?

One Reason Why It's A Good Day

In the middle of cooking dinner... What else?

I have some of the kids reading, some watching a movie. Earlier it was quite the task to get them to clean the entertainment room and the inevitable spillover of toys and books in the living room, dining room, the halls, the bathrooms...sigh!... OK, every square inch of the house.

That all done, I sat on the couch (I mean, reclined) and read. I found a Tennessee Williams quote about his sister that struck me. So, I grabbed my notebook to jot it down and my thoughts on it. The quote made me think of a scene for my characters. Then I fell asleep.

Only for five minutes, because the kids started fighting about whose turn it was on the video game.

The one reason why it was a good day: I was able to find the inspiration to write. Even if you only get a few minutes, write. If you do today or tomorrow or next week, then consider it a good day.

The 1 Writing Book You Must Read

This post is gonna be simple. I just want to direct you to an awesome book for writers. It's "On Writing," by Stephen King.

If you're a new writer, wannabe writer, wishing-to-be a writer, this book is for you. Check it out. If you have any fave parts, let me know.

Obama vs Clinton, You Write The Ending

So... State Of The Union just happened. Then I read a Washington Post article saying Hillary Clinton has the lead among Democratic candidates for 2016. Hmmm. So, I wonder...

If someone wrote a flash fiction story pitting Obama (now, not eight years ago) in any kind of situation against Hillary Clinton, what would that look like?

Could be interesting... Just thinking aloud, or, online.