This month I want to share how I find inspiration when writing. Right now I’m writing two different novels at the same time. My first one is a cyberpunk novel. The second is a contemporary romance. So how do I stay in the right mind space to accomplish this?
Let’s start with the cyberpunk novel since it is the closest to completion. My playlist includes: Grimes, PALASTIC, Scratch Massive, Goldfrapp, French 79, Lorn, Juno, TR/ST, and Paul Sabin. There’s a ton more, but those artists have multiple tracks in the list.
Next, I dress the part:
From Sora Clothing, both the jacket and shirt are inspired by the Cyberpunk 2077 game developed by CD Projekt Red out of Poland. I’m not playing the game right now because it takes away from my time writing, but playing in a fantasy or sci-fi game can also help me envision things.
For the contemporary romance, the playlist is completely different. Where the cyberpunk playlist has a lot environmental music lacking words, the romance novel is the opposite. I’ve chosen tracks that express some sort of emotion that I can build on as I write.
A selection of artists in this playlist include: Cannons, Autograf, Torii Wolf, ittibitti, HWASA, Dylan Sitts, Layn, Alice et Moi, and Alison Wonderland.
Because the plot involves both driving and fashion, my Instagram feed is full of Paris fashion week highlights, Dior ads, and BMW M series drifting reels.
I might have been seen in the Calvin Klein store recently finding clothing inspiration.
The drifting holds more interest for me than beauty products, but I don’t have a manual transmission anymore. Otherwise, I would be tempted to do a few myself, tires be damned. I used to ride along with a friend who did a lot of drifts, donuts, and spin outs in empty lots, so this one I’m going to pull from memory.
So there you go, music, clothing, Instagram posts, and memories all helping me be in the moment with my characters. Hope you find the same for whatever creative endeavor you’re working on today.