Getting in the Mood -- to Write

In the spirit of Valentine's Day as we put away the candles and the romantic music that induced romance -- or at least made that RomCom and popcorn taste a little sweeter -- it's time to think about setting the stage for productive writing sessions.

Everyone is different, but paying attention to the senses can make a lot of sense when it comes to minimizing distractions and maximizing productivity. Let's take each sense one by one.

Hearing: Whether you poke the keys fastest to Enya or Aerosmith, have your music of choice on a long-playing list that requires no attention so it continues to be a help rather than a hindrance. I have a friend who is convinced playing the Orb and Scepter Coronation March on automatic repeat results in her best work -- something about the cymbals. Personally, I prefer instrumental pieces with no words to get in the way of my thoughts.

Smell: Candles, incense or Lysol cleaner -- pick your poison and have it at hand so when you take a deep breath after pounding out a passage, your most powerful sensory organ is satisfied. Personally, the smell of coffee does as much as the actual caffeine jolt. Ask your fellow MasterMind members what works for them and see if a new aroma will breathe life into your body of work.

Taste: If you are working from home, jumping up to get a drink or something to eat can be a tempting procrastination habit and a big problem later if you aren't doing enough jumping jacks. While I start the day with coffee and have plenty of cups throughout the day, I keep a big water bottle handy on the desk to keep me refreshed . And when it comes to lunch -- one of my favorite meals because of the social aspect -- I try to keep it light so my stomach and my thoughts won't be heavy in those potentially productive afternoon sessions. You know what snacks and drinks work best for you, but if you keep them healthy, you might find your work reflects that nutritious energy source.

Vision: When you look up from the computer, what do you see? How does that view make you feel? I'm not advocating building a new study on the river, but you might take a moment to consider your surroundings. In an ideal world for me, keeping my desk in order helps me keep my thoughts in line. I keep multiple sets of files for the individual projects I might be working on at any given time and random paper goes in its place so I can find it later. Business cards are input and tossed. I have pictures of my children and, of course, my accessorized shoe display to remind me why I work. 

Touch: I get cold easily, so a sweater and a space heater are requirements for me. Make sure your space is the right temperature, your chair is comfortable and your posture correct, then forget about it. In the end, the feeling of your fingertips on the keys is the most important sensation of all.

As you embark on the next step in your publishing journey, take a moment to consider how you will arrive. Talk to your MasterMind partners about what sights, smells and sounds keep them focused. If you don't have a group, an entire chapter of the Writer's Secret: MasterMind Your Way to Publishing Success suggests ways to set the stage for productive meetings. And, as always, share your secrets with us. 

What puts you in the mood -- to write?