The Rhythm of Writing
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Writing has a certain rhythm.
There is the act of typing, be it slow or rapid, and the sound and feel of each keystroke. On the other end of the spectrum is the rhythm of actual, long-hand writing. The size of the pen/pencil tip. The feel of the ink on the paper. The type of paper. The type of ink, even.
There is also the rhythm of our inspiration or muse, whether it cooperates or doesn’t, and how we communicate what our senses reveal to us (or don’t). When writing a scene, each one can vary in rhythm and flow depending on the content, the conflict, the resolve, and personalities of the characters.
Once I retreat into my writing zone, interruptions make me cranky and they jar me loose from my rhythm of creativity. To counteract this, we sometimes need to practice ingenious means to enhance our calm and focus. My favorite is the “holler and cover”.
Holler and cover? What is that? you ask.
It is a two-step process I discovered enables me to communicate with all in the household that I am “going under”, that is, going into my writing zone. To accomplish this retreat with some semblance of immediacy, I put on headphones and listen to music.
Now, I have heard that many writers require absolute silence in order to write, and write effectively. Silence, for me, causes me to become more easily distracted by the merest of sounds. My mind wanders as it attempts to decipher the who, what, why, and where. However, if I listen to music, especially through headphones, this gives me control over the sounds of my environment.
Listening to music also enables me to control the mood of the current scene project. I specifically target music of the era, be it classical, sci-fi, fantasy, or alternative in nature (my music tastes are pretty broad). This encourages my own imagination to delve into the flow of the period. In fact, if there is a struggle with inspiration, I seek out movies set in the time-period that are accurate in their representation (reading books set in or written during the period can also be of tremendous benefit).
The music and frame of mind we are in as writers can affect the very mood and voice of the story. More than that, as writers, getting into a rhythm can make all the difference when it comes to deadlines.
What do you do when you’re trying to find your “write rhythm”?
6 Responses to The Rhythm of Writing
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I am a writer. I adore the spinning of the unwritten tale – that lesson waiting to be divulged to others. Each day a new story beckons. One last happy ending. My characters have a life outside of my own, and I always learn from their destiny.
~ Nona ~
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." ~II Corinthians 5:17
I too write with music playing. I have playlists on my iTunes that correspond with each story. They may not end up in the soundtrack, but they do help create the mood and help me go into the world I’m creating. This is especially helpful when the story is in a different time period. I can’t write in silence either.
I’m very fortunate in that I live alone where I have limited distractions. I do find I write better in a clean space. The room doesn’t have to be clean. Just the space. I also find sitting on top of my bed with my computer helps.
Wonderful post <3
I like writing in silence. Used to write in the middle of the night. Now I can’t stay awake, so during the day I go over to an empty building near our house and type away. I’ve found that if I spend a few minutes going over what I typed the day before, I easily get into the rhythm.
There’s nothing quite like the rhythm of writing.
I love it when I find that niche, as it makes the writing much more joyful.
Thank you.
The playlist for each story is a FANTASTIC idea!
Why did I not think of that before?