Feeling Good--What works for you? How do you set it up?
We all have things that make us feel good; things, which bring us, comfort, or lift our heart. Maybe it’s a snatch of song, the scent of cookies baking, watching kittens play, the sound of a baby’s delighted laugh.
The first snowfall and the quiet hush of peace and beauty.
It’s all about atmosphere.
Sometimes atmosphere is
something that happens, other times it’s something we
invoke.
When I’m not in the mood to do household tasks, but know it has to be done, I play music with a strong beat and rhythm. Want to set a party mood, music again. Music and scent has always been a big thing in my life. Music makes me feel good, adds energy and can reset my mood. Music is a tool I’ve used to give the atmosphere of peace and serenity after an argument or so my baby could sleep.
After a stressful day out in the world I long for the comfort of home. I light my scented candles, turn on music, change into something comfortable—comfortable lounge pants, oversized shirt, a pair of soft socks or go barefoot.
If it’s cold and dreary, cooking special foods for dinner which call upon happy memories of growing up.
Maybe it's using special things and the comfort of rituals that appeal to me.
I surround myself with cozy things to snuggle to on a cold
winter’s night, a funny movie, the smell of popcorn, a down
comforter, a cat curled up nearby or in my lap, a dog at my
feet, and my family around me.
A plate of homemade cookies or the snap and crackle of a
fire... all are atmospheric things of comfort I deliberately set
up in my environment.
What makes you feel good, brings comfort, invokes happiness or laughter?
At the end of the day or the close of a long week, what does your mind leapt to that spells comfort?
How do you set the atmosphere in your writing? We want to show not tell, so how do you show the mood and tone surrounding your characters? Dialog will show but what do you do with your ‘scene’ that gives a clue to your atmosphere.
When you need to set a particular tone or mood, what do you
do to put yourself there first?
Sound?
Scent?
Touch?
Open the inner journal of times past?
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Comments: 311
Tonia, thanks for stopping by, my friend. Music always takes me anywhere I need to go.
Kate, I'm all for decadent and yummy...
As far as I am concerned I used to play my cello every time or anytime life was stressful . Needless to say that made me an odd duck back in the days .
I don’t play music anymore but my husband knows before he enters the house to stay away if Elgar cello concerto in e minor is playing on the stereo ! It’s my comfort music , kind of like a musical warm bath …
When I was younger I used to draw to keep stress and toxic situations away . Nowadays I write anything and everything that crosses my mind .
major crap shoot for me , but A La Guerre comme a la guerre !
Funny, this whole article came about because I was tripping down memory lane. I remember when my mom would get migraines and my dad would fix her homemade lintel soup. It was something special. I'm not a big fan of it, but when I eat it, it reminds me of Dad. And he'd fix us all what he called Mulligans stew. Mostly it was whatever came to hand and he'd toss it in, Mom would fix hot bread. Comfort.
Pat, hope your Vegas jaunt is just the tonic you need. We look forward to your posts, if you can find 'Net access.
Sia, we'll be kept busy trying to answer all of those questions. Since it is Friday at the end of the week, I focus on the relaxing part. By week's end, I prefer to have some space and do things like read parts of the paper that I missed and amble over to the PC to hang out with my wombats. I also like to curl up with a good book. Once the energy is restored, much more is possible. There is still nothing like playing music on my guitar to take me away from the distractions of work and bad stock markets.
I also like certain rituals. One of them is reading to my youngest son. On the days we are both home, I usually read a few chapters to him in mid-evening. It helps calm both of us down and brings us together in our favored worlds of words.
It's been a long day. Tonight I'll disappear to my friend's house to watch TV and the two of us will talk or we won't.. it's enough to be together. I feel better just thinking about it.
James, when Jake was smaller, we had rituals of a similar nature. I liked snuggling up with him and reading. We have some now but different. He usually comes in here to my office and we'll listen to music and he'll tell me about his day--not as detailed as it used to be, but still nice.
Ok, I couple of more reports and I'm all done for the night. Yay!
Of course, to hear a frog over the racket of night crickets, you have to have really good ears.
Beth, named Ethel? The guys are named Fred, perhaps?
Sleep well and Good dreams.
Music, played by me, or my son or on a CD sets atmosphere. I have finally discovered the joys of having my computer play something while I write. I write best (by that I mean a lot, not high quality) when I am feeling strong emotion, so I choose music that has a strong impact on me.
WOMBATS, I SUMMON YOU!!
What gives me comfort? Having Bill at home, all the animals bedded down and quiet. The house warm and cozy and a fresh baked cookie or two.
Oh and nice warm fuzzy socks. :o)
Scents? Um, something substantial on the stove. Chili or beef stew or vegetable soup. I haven't found the key ingredient yet to this novel. Not sea chanties (I sing along to them).
Silence works best, and I guess Im lucky, I live in a very silent house. More silent than usual these days.
Not feeling too piraty, darling. I blew off the Nano tonight. I have compelling characters, intriguing and complex plot lines, intense danger, and zero talent to do any of it justice. I can't get any heat between the H/H and it's making me crazy. I'm hoping a change of scenery and dealing with some personal challenges jump starts the story. It's too good to waste. I'm going to keep pounding on this blasted writer's block wall until it comes down. Apparently, I've developed an allergy to love. Sigh.
I made the mistake of looking back at the start of mine. I started laughing. I have characters I forgot about, I have the MC saying the same thing three times, I have twists that go no where. It is a mess. So what? Its nano. The idea is to get words down, right? It doesnt have to be good.
Anyway, you have some great characters, and a great story idea. If it sucks now, you can make it better later.
An allergy to love? Oh boy, thats serious.
Atlantis, how sad to know deeply about music and art and to not be able to do either. You too, Sia. I was raised by an artist and yet have no talent, so I can relate to loving something but being unable to do it. Thanks to Sy for pointing us at your art. It's extraordinary. Lacking talent, I can only support and collect it. I have two original Judy Coffman's in my house, and they give me the same sort of pleasue having original Ken Coffman's in my house gives me. I thought I'd discovered my art in writing (took me long enough!) but at times like this, I'm doubting it deeply.
Beth, crickets it will be. The place I'm thinking of is South Carolina, close enough to Georgia. I needed a sound to sooth the heroine, just at dusk. The hum of the bees in the flowers gives way to another sound (frogs, crickets) that says to her "Evening has come. Put away the cares, the turmoil, the heat of the day, and embrace the cool, dark hours and rest." Crickets will do nicely.
Sy, I find myself repeating things as well in my Nano. Same scene, different POV. I suppose I can eventually make that work. Keep writing dear. Your snippets are amusing. As for my daily snippet (offered here for Ken's daily amusement):
“The more dead ends and diversions we can provide, the less likely it is anyone looking for you will be able to follow the trail.”
“I still don’t understand why anyone would come looking. Most people believe I died in prison. The few who know otherwise are either friends, or not inclined to be too chatty at the best of times.”
“Everybody has a price, my lady. It’s simply a matter of finding out what it is, and paying it.” And I should know. You’d be surprised how easily both your friends and enemies sold your soul to me. And how cheaply.
He’d slipped one arm around the small of her back. He next slid it to her hips. And with grunts punctuating his suckling, cowboy Roy rode her to heaven.
Too bad he forgot to take her to those pearly gates with him.
She patted his back when he collapsed on her, his breathing harsh but his body loose.
Fantasy come to life or travelling through time, some things never changed—a drunk man could be counted on to please only himself in sex.
He rolled off and Ann turned her head. He’d stopped right next to her, one arm outflung, the other crossed over his eyes.
Oh yeah. He could be counted on for one more guarantee...
He’d snore.
Ann tried to laugh, but she felt the pull of the alcohol enticing her under. Hell, maybe she’d snore too. Serve him right to wake up to a snoring, drooling woman with a morning-after headache and breath bearing the fragrance of an ashtray. She turned to her side and closed her eyes.
Uh, rituals. Well, when I was an Employed American, I used to start writing around 10 PM and do two pages nightly, pretty much. I'd usually pour myself a glass of wine or a good beer. Now that I'm an Unemployed American, I'm rediscovering the ability to write during the day, which is really exciting for me. About the only things I need are something to drink, be it coffee, water, wine or beer (depending on the time of day) and a cat on my lap. I don't HAVE to have the cat, but it's always nice.
What I find a little worrisome is that I too used to write completely sober (except in college, but that was different). Then I, um, started experimenting. And I have found that there is no real difference in the quality of my writing, sober, snockered or what have you. I figure this can't be entirely good.
I will have to try writing with a couple of drinks under my best. Maybe it will help. Couldn't hurt.
Pat, darlin', Write this line. "They did the deed." THen this line or something similiar "The morning dawned."
You don't have to write that scene yet, save it for later. Just go on as if it has already been written. It will come to ya when it's time.
No worries about which name you used. I answer to just about any ole thing.
Sy, it's just NaNo. (Is that something like, "It's Chinatown?")
Night ya' all
I also posted one for making your own Fiddle Faddle too. Fiddle Faddle
Both are great classics created from the fine folks at Lincoln Snacks until Conagra bought them. They killed off Zonkers but kept Faddle. Low a palpable pall descended upon the land of Nebraska when Zonkers did die. Much rending of sackcloth and the wailing of maids could be heard. Long may plagues of locusts and other oogy thingies descend upon the CEO of that evil corporation. So sayeth the Lord...heh
Rascal, the royal feline food-taster, still appears well, though, with him, it can be hard to tell.
At my door a gentle tapping
Be it man or mayhap a ghost
It was the carrier from the post
Within his hands he carried such treasures
Of sweet meats and candies for my pleasures
Bedeviled of mind I had a thought
Could this be some dastardly plot
To the cellar I flew in furor and rush
Such tortures of mind in store for that lush
Shouldest he have from chain and bindings escaped
I stopped and stood my mouth agape
He still remained huddled and restrained
Amongst words so strained
I rushed back to seek the unknown
To see the gift was from those of renown
It was not some cloying trick of Dan Brown
Excuse me now while I with gusto chow down
Sy, I'm not a big fan of cities, but I do like to walk them at night. I love the lights. Being up high and looking all the lights. At night, even the ugly parts of the city are lovely. I loved being in new York around Christmas too. It was a wow, experience.
Pat, in the country, I love to be outside and hear the symphony of nature. crickets, Katydids--which are very loud, chirping of the peepers--frogs, the full moon rising and bathing the landscape in silver, in the distance the sound of whippoorwill. whippoorwill, whippoorwill. The blinking of lightning bugs and a warm breeze. All things that soothe me of an evening. Many is the time I've taken a glass of wine and gone out an sat in my swing.
Ken, I think it would depend upon who sent it and whether or not they're happy or not with you, lolol!
You crossed paths with Roth ! He is my God , my albatross , my David’s star ! I worship the man’s writing .
I cringe , I revel , I dream and I travel the full spectrum of emotions when I read his work ! The man explores such depths of human behavior !
Raining and depressingly gloomy around here ...A day for NY Times , drinking , writing , napping and rinse lather and repeat !!!
Mike you're way too creative this morning, I laughed tho. I need more coffee. I went to bed early and got to sleep in, which is good, but I have to go out and do my Rep thing so the extra energy is needed. Dan will cook dinner so no worries there. Right now he and Jake are walking the woods and fence lines. They left before light--which is probably why I could sleep in.
Ken, as a woman, I find Glen interesting. He's complex in many ways, and what he projects is not always whats inside. That I like. I like discovering that about people in person too. What makes them tick. I tend to profile them, I guess you'd say. Looking at all the clues and nuances that a person many times is unaware of giving off.
Anyone heard from Junie B of late? Wendy? I know you correspond occasionally with her, any news?
I don't have a title for the last book (#8) yet, but it might be something like 'Glen Wilson Saves the World'.
Beth, your scene cracked me up! So very real!
Mike, you made me laugh as well. It's way too early to be that clever!
Atlantis, sounds like a good plan for the day. It's gloomy and rainy here, but I have much to do. Printed my boarding pass. Laundry to do, and deciding what to pack (I always overpack). Since I won't be doing fancy dinners or shows, it's just jeans and t-shirts for me. And I need to download some e-books. And run to the bank. Nano? What's that?
Ken, I'm with Sia. Glen is an intriguing character more because of what he only reveals to the reader. An what he reveals over the course of the series. So, what's the new one about? And why aren't you editing TSS?
Sia, how funny you should ask about June. I planned on emailing her this morning!
Several people suggested I continue Raz's story, maybe that one will get on the roadmap for 2012 or who knows? Do you have a burning curiosity about Raz's plan for world domination?
My take on Glen is that he has such a potent and somewhat aggressive take on life (I.e. jerk); it actually gives him a sexual aura around women, sort of like certain pheromones known to affect behavior.
He ticks me off most times but I seek his company.
I loved Steel Waters , by the way.
I'm not sure of the project aspect, I think of people, not just men, are projects and their antics are interesting. But You do texture your writing. I also like layers and texture. Makes for a much more satisfying read. Texture adds dimension to a character because it shows foibles as well as the good things about a person. Makes them more real. So when they do something stupid or out of the ordinary, it's normal because people do that all the time.
Beth all I can say is "been there, done that".
I need to go to the store. Phooey. Do you think they'll notice that I haven't showered yet?
Don't come back with a tattoo you don't remember how you got it or what the name on it means !
Or actually maybe you should :) LOL
Oooo, a tattoo! I hadn't thought of that, but it would be cool! A skull and crossed cutlasses someplace only I and the tatoo artist will ever know about! Sounds like a plan to me! I think I need a tattoo for every book I write, so maybe I'll add some flames to the pirate one... As for a name on the tatoo? From now on I'm calling all the men in my life "Jack". Saves on memory cells.
Btw, Pat, you'd better watch out for those Manhattans. There's a couple places that serve some really good ones, and how would I know that? hmmm, not telling my secrets, but it was fun...
We've got PP this weekend (hopeful just for today) so Nano is going to be spotty at best. DH set up her first overnight visit with DD and of course I wasn't privy to details. She's having fun. It looks as if she never moved. Ha!
Ken wombats only use the best ingredients I'm sure you'll be fine. mwahahahaha!
Sia, I've been insane, but I always know what I'm doing. And so far, Elena hasn't slipped any leashes. So far. Then again, I've never really been on my own.
Nah, I'm too boring. I'll likely hole up in my room, order room service and watch trashy movies all day. Except for one small trip to Siren's Cove Shoppe at Treasure Island. A whole store with pirate stuff! I was thrilled when I found out about it, and it's just down the street from where I'll be staying!
Wendy, sounds like a fun way to spend the day. Visits are nice!
Wendy, PP is thrilled to be 'home' visiting. Have fun with her. Btw, heard back from Costco. I'll be sending some things off to them. Woo-hoo. I'm cookin'.
I wouldn't get too excited about HST2. I plan to write the weirdest and most maddening book ever written. Weirder than Ulysses, weirder than Gravity's Rainbow and weirder than Ada. An unreadible mess, that's my plan.
- Ken Coffman, Steel Waters
Roland is doing well, so far. There's a conspiracy to fatten him up. He was complaining the nutritionist wrote out that he's to have a tablespoon of butter per slice of toast in the morning. My brother doesn't even like to LOOK at food before noon, lol! But he's been dutifully eating breakfast. Doesn't like the tablespoon of butter and then I find out that he's using I can't believe it's not butter. I laughed, go, I don't care what the Ads say, it doesn't taste like butter or even close. I told him to get real butter. I swear I can eat real butter like cheese with fresh hot bread. I had my cholesterol checked last week and I'm square in the normal range, and boy am I glad. I told my mom to go get real butter for the boy, sheesh.
Wednesday and Thursday night I didn't get enough sleep so I made up for it last night. Dan usually hits the bed by 9 and is up by 4. I need a bookshelf put up Mike. Anytime you need something to do, lol!
FD: Hell, I don't remember. Besides, I wasn't involved with the production so I don't know what they used or didn't use.
Pat, sorry, I misspoke by using the word luck. I didnt mean it the way it came out. I meant that I am sure most nanos wouldnt actually make it to a book, and only a few really can. Such as Ashes.
Atlantis, I also love Roth, and I keep telling myself that the next time I pass him on the street, I should say something... but, Im shy. Yes, its true, stop laughing Sia.
"Publishing a book is like taking a suitcase and putting it out in a public place and walking away and leaving it there," Roth
Sia, you're probably right about me busting out. I've been ogling trips by a group called "Gutsy Women Travel". I won't make this one this year, but maybe next year!
Paris
Ken, no Kindle for me, but I adore my PDA. Just downloaded eight novels, a dictionary and thesaurus, and they fit in my shirt pocket. Plus all my music, plus a dozen games. Plus Word, Excel, calculator, address book, alarm clock, a notepad that recognizes handwriting, plus a calendar. Sadly, mine is old and doesn't have blue tooth, but my next one will. I can adjust the font type/color/size, background colors, and orientation. I can annotate, hit the dictionary for words that trip me, and highlight. A Kindle may be better in daylight, but this is my most favorite travel toy. Good company at lonely dinners as well, and no worries about lugging it around the casino. No overweight luggage either. I do stick in two paperbacks for times like landings and takeoffs, but again, I wouldn't want to lug them around while walking or touring. My PDA, on the other hand, goes everywhere with me!
Still packing what is known as the "big bag o' cables". Sigh. I will never get them untangled. Chargers for the laptop, phone, camera, PDA. The Skype camera/mike (I'm really enjoying the Skype!). A thing called a Wi-Fire, for boosting internet. Extra batteries and memory cards for stuff. Two flash drives. And people wonder why I take the large luggage instead of the carryon. And this is just for me. When hubs goes with, double everything and add in more electronics (MP3 player, HD video cam, etc.) No, I would not do well in the wilderness.
And Sy is right about Glen. I'd shoot him within a week. If I could find him.
Fingers crossed as I hit submit....