Vibrations summon the muse...

Today I have been thinking about vibrational energy. I wrote about it fairly extensively in my second novel and how it relates to personal growth and relationships with like minded, like energy fielded people. But today is how it relates to music and sound. More specifically how music can make you feel things, how it can get within you, become part of you and what happens from there.

Right now I am listening to Host of Seraphim by Lisa Gerrard / Dead Can Dance ( and will continue to let my iTunes play every song they have together or alone) in the background as I write. This song, however has always been one of my favorites. It is also one of my favorites to write to. Somehow it gets into places and feeds my heart and soul. It is from that point that the writing comes. I usually don't have any idea what I will be writing when this happens, yet every time there is something that my mind wants to say and somehow that gets translated to my fingers. I only know what it is about when I read what is on the screen, more often than not, after it is done. I don't take the time to read it as I go on, unless for some reason I get stuck in the middle or interrupted, but even then I usually just seem to pick up where I left off. There must be a name for what this is, but I am not sure what it is. I know a lot of other writers have this happen as well. That is not to say I cannot write to topic or a story line because I absolutely do that too, this is just some sort of free from thing that I love.

I love the surprise of reading what it is that was in my head that I could not verablize. For those of you that know me - yes, there are some things I cannot find the words for. Perhaps it is the silence of my insides that the music gets tapped into and together they create an orchestra of words that are only perfect and available when they meet. This synergy for me is powerful. I have a hard time writing personal things or emotional stories that ring true - without music. Or perhaps more correctly - without certain kinds of music.

When I need to reach deep within and access those parts of me I am searching to learn about and truly know - I listen to one kind of music. When I need to write an emotional scene without detachment - I listen to another. When I need to write or feel an action scene, chaos or drama - I listen to yet another. This cannot be by accident, it must be something that is triggered by the music or at least supported by it.

The same thing with photos - every day that I am on the net I search out for pictures. With no actual thing I am searching for and I save those that touch me, knowing they will be exactly perfect for something at some point in time. Then when I am ready to write for the day, I put on the piece of music that attracts me, choose the picture and wait for the muse to arrive with whatever it wants me to write for the day.

From that persepctive, when I write in that fashion, I just write free form and whatever comes out, comes out. I have an entirely different process when I write to task. While that is enjoyable in and of itself, I prefer writing from a vibrational level. I haven't actually ever spoken to anybody about this, so I am not sure if anybody else feels this way, but I feel confident I am not the only one. Even if I were, it wouldn't bother me - not one ounce.

It is my greatest wish that my words will bring about the same sorts (or at least equivalent) feelings to what music and pictures do. To tap so quickly into ones heart and psyche - that instant grab that changes every moment that comes afterwards. Some say I am too affected by these things - but to me they are the beauty of existence, of being alive to enjoy them. If they enrich or enhance, why wouldn't I want to be part of that?

The picture above is the perfect accompaniment to the music for what I want to write today. I have an intensely dark emotional scene to write, yet it is beautiful in its purity of pain. The stark reality does not betray the beauty of what it holds. To me, it summons the muse... I must go, she is here...reaching into the depths of my mind beyond the vibrations telling me she is ready...

Synoposis of Memories of My Future from NaNoWriMo 2008

Last year I entered the NaNoWriMo contest and we were asked to write a Synopsis of our book. I am copying it here, because I believe they delete profiles and information every year and I don't want to loose it. Final word count was confirmed at 192,646.

"Walking towards my future with the gifts of my past. It's all so beautiful but why do I feel like I have been here before?"

A story about a woman's journey through her past to see where she has come from that explains her present and prepares her for what comes next. She imagines she has lived many lifetimes and knows this is her last incarnation as a human being. Always a curious and open minded person she searches all realms and all possibilities to obtain her of information.

Her current relationships, health situations, hobbies, lifestyle and career choices are all seeming to be pointing her in one direction. So she takes her inspirational muses of Mozart, Monet, Dante (among so many others) and begins to explore the world discovering among other things, the significance of the number 7 on the planet. She also realizes that everything she is learning (aka the gifts) relate to a specific linear time line in history ie: Knights Templar, Crusades, Mayas and War of the Roses to mention but a few.

During this historical journey she realizes that she needs these gifts now to move forward on her personal path... not that she has any idea yet, just what that is. But the 7 women she meets may just hold the clues she needs.

Book Cover Art credit: Rose Woman by Salvador Dali

Are you a warrior or do you create them?

I absolutely love the Terra Cotta Warriors/Soldiers. Can you imagine what it took to create them? How was that done? How is each soldier created to be different from the one before and the one after - from the hundreds before and the thousands after? Who came up with the idea? Was it preparation to be immortal in the afterlife or to lament a life so soon over? Did the creators have any idea of their impact? Did they even think of that or was it just something all consuming at the time that they finished without ever realizing their own personal greatness and contributions to history? I think books are exactly the same. There are so many books, so many ideas and so many things to be said and done. Do we really believe that all the stories have been told and there is nothing left to say? Do we really believe all we have to offer is a new perception of similar experiences? Do we value what we have, what we are contributing to ourselves, our loved ones and unknown strangers both in our time and whatever comes next? I think we do ourselves a large injustice if we limit our thoughts to the self imposed boxes.

I am struggling with that in a character I want to write actually. I find with the dramatic fiction novels I can easily put myself into each character, hear their voice, represent their side - quite easily in fact. Protagonist- no problem. Antagonist - no problem - innocent and not so innocent victims? No problem. Minor characters - again, no problem. What I struggle with is being the really bad guy. It is absolutely not a moral issue - its more of a separation issue. I tend to feel each character as I write for them and while I am truly curious about the evil that happens within some humans, I obviously still hold some fear of being truly within their minds. Yet I am drawn to them - and have been for years. I have read every single book I could find on true persons of evil - I have read every forensic psychology book, every Katherine Ramsland book, Coroners journals, "Hunting Humans", "In the mind of a Murderer", Body Farm - you name it and find them interesting to read and do great character studies on. I have read all of Kathy Reichs to see how she does it - as well as Patricia Cornwell and while they have found their way, I am still struggling to find my own way to speak their voices. I'm not sure what my block is because I know writing about people who do evil things is exactly that - just writing. It doesn't mean because I have put it on paper I desire it to happen, or that my words will make something happen. Perhaps it is something as simple as me not being truly comfortable with pure evil - which I guess is a good thing. I know before I actually do any writing on this character - or even do research - I verbally and visually surround myself with walls of protection and ensure the boundaries are clear and that I am only writing this and do not want to attract this into my life. Yes I know.. it is all crazy to someone who doesn't write, but I am hoping by putting this out there, I can settle the unsettled within me and go on to write a loathsome character in a truly inspiring way. The challenge continues...

What is your challenge? What are you struggling with? How do you create separation from your characters? How do you live them long enough to write them, but not invade your personal space when they are alive in your own head? Give it some thought and let me know...

Yes I have the courage to let my words make a difference...

As you know I have entered the 3 Day Novel contest for 5 years - this will be my sixth year and again I am looking forward to the growth and challenge.

As if to support my decision, in today's mail I received an entry form and a hand written note from a person who shall remain nameless asking me if I had another one in me.

I do dear friend... I do, and thanks for asking. Thank you for remembering me year after year. I suspect it was you I got the unsigned note from a few years ago as well. I cannot tell you how much that one piece of paper inspired me and kept me going on the days when I wanted to throw it all away and put my pen down for good. I have that piece of paper along with everything that is important and dear to me. It encourages me when I think of how those few words of support make such a difference to me and it makes me wonder and believe how my own words on paper can make a difference to someone. I'm working on it... I have many left in me just dying to get out...

I can't wait to show you... and the rest of the world...

Happy Canada Day!

"Canada Day is an opportunity to gather in our communities, from coast to coast to coast, and to proudly celebrate all we have in common. It is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, which were born in the audacious vision and shared values of our ancestors, and which are voiced in nearly all of the languages of the world through the contribution of new Canadians.

Canada Day is a time to celebrate the heritage passed down to us through the works of our authors, poets, artists and performers. It is a time to rejoice in the discoveries of our scientific researchers, in the success of our entrepreneurs, and to commemorate our history - a history in which each new chapter reveals itself to be more touching, more fascinating than the last.

As we look ahead, we have every reason to face the future with confidence and enthusiasm."

Copied from: http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/canada/11/canada-eng.cfm