My Inspiration & Motivation

Before I began writing this story, I had started and stopped an outline for a Young Adult novel more than a 100 times .It had been in the forefront of my mind for almost 12 years.  But because of life and its many excuses I distracted myself enough to stop doing what I had always wanted to do.. write.

Then unexpectedly, my Muse came. It arrived in a form and during a time I had neither expected or had been seeking it out.  However it entered my life, I was moved and inspired, and for that I am truly grateful.

So, to keep myself motivated and accountable I created this blog and read others.

• When I’m not at a Cafe Writing (My Work Area): I decoupaged part of my apartment wall with my makeshift Story Board, maps of Washington State and pictures of how I envision my characters.

• What I Read: More often than not to fit my laptop, note pads, binder and printouts I find myself using a very old and over-sized “high school” looking book bag. In it I have at least two of the writers that both teach and inspire me: The Hours (Michael Cunningham), Leaves of Grass (Walt Whitman), Ariel (Silva Plath), Feast of Love (Charles Baxter), Brokeback Mountain (Annie Proulx), The Road (Cormac McCarthy), It (Stephen King), and The Writer’s Journey (Christopher Vogler).

• Of Course The Music: I adore music, honestly I cant live without it…..all kinds, 60′s, 70′s and of course my beloved 80′s music. But when I write, my late night sessions are often done with the smooth sounds of lounge, and downtempo music. I listen to artists like Sia, Massive Attack, Radio Head, Cold Play, Zero 7, Hooverphonic, Alpha, Jose Gonzalez, Mandalay, Sade and Bon Iver are always a must.

• When The Music is Not Playing A Movie is Always On: In the foreground I’m either thinking about or looping the films that move me: The Hours, Gattaca, Ameli, American Beauty, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Miss Sunshine, Lost in Translation, Brokeback  Mountain, Ghost World, Garden State, In the Mood for Love, Magnolia, The Notebook, The Bridges of Madison County and believe it or not Romancing the Stone (Because it always makes me laugh)

–There is the story that inspires me. There are characters I at times hate but still love-  But with each day that passes and I write a little more I’m reminded that it is a story that must be told. I only hope one day I will be able to share it with everyone.