When The Moment Strikes
I’m often asked questions around when and where I write. My answer is both simple and complex. I write whenever the moment strikes, wherever that may be.
In many respects it would be ideal to schedule writing times and accomplish all that needs to be done during that dedicated time. Given my full work week, I’m often limited to preserving a block of four hours on weekends where I lock myself away from the world to make the most of my writing time. Sometimes it works out well that way, and it’s a great feeling when it does.
But more often than not, a moment of inspiration for a particular scene strikes when I’m least expecting it. The middle of the night is a frequent example. Other examples include otherwise mundane situations such as sitting in a dentist’s office , shopping for groceries or cutting the lawn. My favourite moments are when I’m hiking or running on a trail. In those instances, there seems to be something about physical exercise which gets my creative juices flowing.
The point is, it’s next to impossible for me to predict when and where a moment of inspiration will occur. So I’ve learned to prepare for the unexpected. I rarely go anywhere without a voice recorder, cell phone or scrap piece of paper so I can capture the essence of inspiration the moment it strikes.
That being said, I’ve had my share of challenges along the way. The first involves finding the space and time to write newly inspired scenes into my story. That’s where protected time on weekends becomes crucial. Then there are those ‘awkward’ occasions where I’ve been observed talking into my cell, recording intense dialogue for a scene in THE KILLER TRAIL. Overhearing a scene where Ray Owens boasts about his killing tends to make passersby nervous, resulting in them giving me a wide berth on my walks. But hey, I get my moment, and my space!
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Thank you very much. I appreciate the feedback!