Taking Your Reader to the Window

[Glenn]

As a writer you are gifted with a view into another world. It’s what I refer to as, looking out a window. You are looking at a world that only exist in the author’s mind. (I had to admit that, as much as I hated too, as it’s all so real to me.) But the secret is to never stray very far from that window. It’s okay to take a day off or two, but if you want this new world and new people to be tangible, then you must visit the window often.
A trick I learned was to do what ever takes me there. Be it a picture, a room or a certain view an item like a sword or even once it was an odd plant. For me it’s also music. I love movie soundtracks, Transformers, Passion of the Christ, Brave Heart, just to name a few. I will categorize fast songs for action scenes and slower ones for slower scenes. If I have an action scene building in my mind, I will listen to the same songs over and over. (Disclaimer, I do this alone because it drives my lovely wife crazy) Another tip is to have your character with you at all times. Wonder what they are doing at the same time. If you are eating, would they like it? If shopping, ask yourself if they would wear that style of clothing.
In the end, the scenes are real enough that you readers will easily be brought to the same window that you are looking out of.

[Greg]

I agree, soundtracks are a great backup to writing. I tend to make a playlist for each novel I'm writing and try and gather as much music that is evocative of the setting.

I like your tip about keeping your character with you at all times. That's easier to manage with your heroes, but villains can be unpleasant bedfellows.

[Glenn]

Hey, Greg. True, it can be difficult to keep the bad guys with you. But that's the joy of being a writer, you are all the characters. Thanks for responding.

[Travis, Moderator]

I have a playlist of all kinds of music that gets me going. So I can be listening to any number of different songs as I write/edit, and the tone of that music finds its way into my scene somehow.

And finding character traits or situations that are real and sliding those into books, that's something I really enjoy.

Sadly, I have met enough strange and disturbing characters in my life, that they make very good fodder for villains and weirdos. I find it easier to imagine villainous people than I do the heros.

[Tom]

For the longest time, I could only write with Irish punk rock playing in the background. Now I find it hard to write with any persistent noise in my vicinity. I ought to get back into it.

[Dianne]

I'm with you on the playlists. Like Greg, I have a different playlist for each book. If I'm doing a major rewrite, I'll put together a new one to help take the manuscript in a different direction. Music is great for writing through those days you feel blocked. The downside... I hear a song that I write to in another venue and I start rewriting... even if the story complete. Must have a Pavlovian connection going.

[Vardan]

The soundtrack I usually play when writing are: The Fight Club, Wanted, 300, Inception and (this one will sound odd) Tomorrow Never Dies. When listening to them, I have absolutely no association with the films they are based on, it is really about the mood and flow of the narrative that you are taking. The biggest adversary to writing for me is...Internet. I have to have the browser off and hidden if I am to do any writing. Otherwise, you just get stuck somewhere for an indefinite amount of time while your hero waits by the window for you to come back :)))

[Glenn]

I agree Vardan, I'm guilty of playing around to much too.