Insta-muse: How to get a muse when you want it

[vom_marlowe]

The end result is a white-hot block out the world muse, when you want it.

Here’s what you need:

A currently grooving writing idea, something you’re bouncy about, excited to get to, can’t wait to write, etc.  It doesn’t have to be good: it has to be museful.

A couple triggers (I like at least two, but not more than three).  You want these

Comments

Creative triggers

[frostedelves]

Excellent ideas, and I've bookmarked this in memories for later. I've had the dedicated-scent notion before, but never followed through; it's neat to see what results you've had with it! I'm encouraged to try it more seriously. Thank you for sharing.

I'm curious... do you tend to switch projects when using the same creative trigger, or do you tend to assign specific triggers to specific projects and not cross the lines?

(I came here through telophase's journal.)

Re: Creative triggers

[vom_marlowe]

Yay! Glad you enjoyed the ideas. :)

In answer to your question, it depends. Some scents I have set aside for certain characters (like Sin is Yoji, Nocturne is Soubi), others are more general muse scents (Like Elegba and Nine Muses). Music is the same way. I can write pretty much anything to my Chill mix or Sweet Harmony mix, but it's pure FKA for Ran's list. I am more likely to have project specific stuff for great big projects (novels, certain manga approaches).

Re: Creative triggers

[smillaraaq]

Ah, synchronicity! I'm most amused to see all this talk of scent and muses, as I have now twice unwittingly sucked people into BPAL by offhandedly mentioning scouring through their catalog for perfect character scents. And while I'd never before deliberately set out to use scent for writing inspiration, wallowing in Perversion a couple of weeks ago was partially responsible for giving me a Gojyo-muse that just WOULD NOT SHUT UP. ;)

Re: Creative triggers

[vom_marlowe]

Oooooooooh, interesting! I love picking scents for characters. I think of Roadhouse for Gojyo, Perversion is a Sanzo scent to me, and Villainess's Antihero is like Sanzoinnacakeofsoap. I always have trouble identifying Hakkai scents. I have a drawerful of WK scents.

[scribblemoose]

Those are really good ideas. I find location is a big trigger for me, too. Soon as I sit at my desk stuff happens ;)

[vom_marlowe]

Thanks! Location can be wonderful! I used to always get the best ideas at this one coffeeshop.

[swirly_ayuri]

I'm excited by your idea, can't wait to try it!