Creativity?

Many non-writers believe that authors can jot down words easily and smoothly at a moment's notice.  Not true.  Composing is hard work.  The old saying "If it was easy, everyone would do it," rings true.  You have to love writing in order to master it.  There's no quick method around it.

That said, "What sparks your creativity?" is not an easy question to answer. 

For me, it depends on the situation.   For instance, when I attended my 25th high school reunion a few weeks ago, the feeling of youth, energy and giddiness resurfaced and the memories of  unrequited love, dances and a less complicated life sent my muse flowing. My high school crush was standing before me and I thought of all the things I could have said and done, if I had been as brave as I was now!  I was desperate to sit down and write, write, write.

Another time, I was feeling rather good after a workout and when I looked in the mirror, I felt sexy.  Yeah, I did.  My hair was mussy, my heart was pounding and I felt good!  I smiled and thought, "I could write a really cool love scene at this moment."

Sometimes, with the rain falling is a soft whisper, my fingers tap, tap away at a sad point of my plot.

There are episodes when I am with my family at the park, a cool breeze rustles by and the sinking sun warms my skin.  That's when the mood to write itches once again.

Of course, the mountains always call to me.  Anytime I am in Taos, New Mexico, my need to create stories seems to overflow lik the water cascading down the rocks into the base of the ski valley.

Music!  Music is key!  I play tons of music when I write, but it matches the scene.  If it's scary, I play the soundtrack from Signs or The Village.  If the scene called for sadness or poignance, it's Adagio in G Minor.  If it's holidayish, the strains of Manheim Steamroller's "Silent Night" or Trans Siberian's Christmas pieces can be heard.

Basically, beautiful moments in my life spark my creativity.   When this occurs, I quickly jot down or voice record the moment and the feelings I am experiencing.  I either compose it in one of my blogs or it's filed away for a future or current manuscript.

Each writer is different.  You just have to choose what works for you!