MOTIVATE YOUR MUSE

Editors and readers have asked where I get my inspiration to write erotic romance. It’s simple. I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled to some of the most romantic countries in the world. How could a word lover not be flooded with plot lines when looking at the gorgeous gondoliers of Venice?

St. Mark’s Square is filled with enough motivation for me to pick up a pen and scrawl everything I see and hear. There’s always a pair of lovers strolling through, wrapped in each others arms, with no outside world to interfere. You might even find them sharing a Cinzano while the soft strings of an orchestra fill the chilly night air.

Thanks for tolerating two of my travel photos. But how do they apply to writing tips? Glad you asked!

1 - Inspiration is all around you, every single minute of the day and night. Take the time to notice it, absorb it, feel it, then let your imagination soar.

2 – Always carry a pen and paper to record those scenes blossoming before you.

3 – Carry a disposable or digital camera to photograph anything of interest, no matter how trivial it might seem at the time. Drop the developed/printed pictures into a file for future use.

4 – I like to work with visual aids and compile images of location, people, clothing, maps, language, and anything else that lands me feel smack-dab in the middle of my story. Nothing is too trivial to Glue Stic to my poster board. It puts me in the mood, but I always make sure it’s hidden before company arrives. No need for them to have more proof I’ve lost my mind.

Here’s two websites to check out for great advice;

Beth Anderson
Beth has excellent tutorials, especially on Point of View and Writing the Tight Synopsis. Click onto Workshops to read the lecture.

Adrianne Lee
Adrianne’s site has the best for Conflict and Stupid Heroines. Look under her Writing Tips section on the header.

Have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back Monday with Nancy DiMauro. Until then...

Happy Writing!

Sloane Taylor