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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Writing Rituals

I think every writer has at least a couple rituals they use to get them in the creative mode. I never really thought about all the little things I do when I am in my writing cave until I misplaced a small malachite stone that lives on my desk. I'm not sure what it is about the polished rock, but I rub my thumb over the smooth surface when I am plotting and thinking about what to put on the page next.

Another of my many rituals is to stare at the wall of my book covers whenever I feel overwhelmed, or as if my prose aren't good enough. The many covers remind me that I have dozens of stories under my belt, and am capable of completing my WIP. 



When I enter my office, I usually plug in my color-changing salt lamp. This relatively new addition to my work area provides me with something pretty to look at other than the organized chaos that is my work station. 


When thinking about what I was going to write about for this post, I started looking around my desk area and it struck me that another ritual I have is to write with our kitten very close by. This isn't happenstance. I call her in when I enter my office, and she is happy to oblige. Of course, sometimes she takes the togetherness thing to extremes. Olive is happy to sleep on her cat tree, which is next to my desk. Problem is, the kitten has the energy of a toddler on steroids! She doesn't much care to play second fiddle to my computer, so when she wants to play, she cries, or plops herself down either on my keyboard or right in front of the monitor so I have no choice but to take a break with her. Hmm. I'm not sure if that's a writing ritual or a dodge work ritual;-) 

Overall, all the distractions around my work area serve to prevent me from walking away and giving in to my ADD! Somehow, they keep me on task.  

What about you? For the writers - what are your favorite writing rituals? For readers, do you have reading rituals when you sit down to read? 

12 comments:

Ana Barrons said...

Looking at all those book covers on the wall (which is a lovely color, by the way) and your smooth stone and even the salt lamp (oh, yeah, and the kitty) is inspiring me to get off my butt and actually turn that spare room into an office! My current ritual when I write is to grab my laptop, turn on the gas fire in the living room, make a huge mug of tea and start typing. I have a desk, mind you, but it's cluttered with notes and books, so the actual writing gets done in the living room.

Winter Bayne said...

I have some rituals. I also have rock friends. ;)

Wynter said...

Ana - a fire and some tea sounds wonderful! I love having a dedicated space that is only for writing. Gets me instantly focused.

Wynter said...

Winter - I love your name;-)

Anne Marie Becker said...

Oh, I love that wall of book covers! What a fantastic idea.

I live near Sedona and recently visited with my sister. They have rocks for EVERYTHING and I bought some jewelry made from blue topaz (the writer's stone) and some other stones that were meaningful to me. When I need an extra burst of inspiration, I slip on the ring or bracelet. :)

As for rituals, I typically can't clear my mind to start writing until I've cleared my email inbox and checked on a couple blogs that are my "home bases." This is one of them. ;)

Thanks for the peek at your world, Wynter - love it!

Rita said...

No rituals unless you count staring out the window. Called my agent yesterday for a pep talk. She always says just write! So I am. But I keep looking out the window at the bees in the orange blossoms and the black snake chasing the lizards.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing, Wynter. Enjoyed this post.

Unknown said...

I'm with Ana here. I have a lovely office with a nice large desk. Where do I do my writing? In the sitting room or the kitchen. My office is too cluttered - and too far away from the coffee and chocolate chip cookies which I need, LOL.

I love all those book covers!

Wynter said...

Anne Marie - I love the idea of slipping on jewels for inspiration! And I am totally envious that you live near Sedona - one of my favorite places on earth!

Wynter said...

Rita - I stare out the window, too. Wish I got inspiration that way, but it just reminds me that I must tell hubby to do something with the yard;-)

Wynter said...

Thanks, Aleka. Glad you enjoyed the post.

Wynter said...

Thanks, Shirley. My clutter grows like dust bunnies. I have to stop and organize myself constantly. If I didn't, the clutter would take over like kudzu!

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