Kathleen Valenti

Are you there, Muse? It’s me, Kathy.

Facebook is like my very own time capsule. Every couple of months, it’ll unearth a photo or a post that reminds me that my hair used to defy gravity, I spent a lot of time cutting up grapes for my children, and once, when I didn’t realize the house was on fire, I responded to the gathering smoke by gleefully exclaiming, “Hey, smells like camping!”

But that’s a story for another day.

Today, I’ve been thinking about reminders that serve up digital mementos of my author journey.

Getting an agent. Reviewing developmental edits for the first time. Not being sure exactly where to sign the book at my debut speaking event. Every one of these moments have made their way to Facebook, along with glorious, slightly out of focus photos.

Celebratory book-signing treats

The net effect has been nostalgia and an aching reminder that it’s been a good long time since I’ve written fiction. Sure, sure, I still write every day, all day as a creative director/copywriter. But I miss creating people, places, and murder things out of whole cloth.

So I’ve been thinking about once again traipsing into Bookland (a short jaunt from Storyville). I just want to make sure I find my way.

Or, perhaps more accurately, that the Muse finds me. It’s been awhile since we’ve talked, and honestly, I’m worried that our initial reconnection might be awkward.

Here are some TNT (tips-n-tricks) I’ve used in the past to connect with inspiration:

BOLO for pretty much anything:
From the news to podcasts to People magazine profiles, I often found the adage “Truth is stranger than fiction” could inform my fiction.

Get cheeks in seats:
There’s something to be said for putting in the work, which, for writing, happens to be a sit-down job. (At least for me.) When I dedicated time to the craft by actually sitting down and writing—or at least ideating—I was much more productive than when I, well, didn’t.

Lean on your sisters and misters:
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again—and again and again, for good measure—the crime fiction community is the warmest, most welcoming group and a wonderful source of encouragement.

Read on repeat:
I found that reading would often get my brain braining. My favorite part: when I was so captivated by the story that I’d forget to deconstruct it.

Cross-train:
Of course, books aren’t the only purveyors of great storytelling. I frequently found my plotting pump primed after watching a great movie, series, or show.

Get moving:
I’m big on ambulation. Walking. Running. Skipping. So after sitting, I find that getting up and moving is often the key to unlock stuck ideas. (Which I guess are hiding behind my kneecaps?)

Caffeinate:
I mean…

Talk it out:
I have found that if I can’t create an elevator pitch for a story or a scene, I needed to retool the concept. Talking it out helped me see (or hear) what’s missing. And when talking it out didn’t work, hugging it out took the sting away.

Just do it:
To take a page from the Nike playbook, just starting is the only way to get going.

So there’s my short and ever-evolving list. I’d love to hear about yours.

How do you get in touch with inspiration, the Muse, or ideas? What are you reading, watching, or listening to that inspires you right now?

19 thoughts on “Are you there, Muse? It’s me, Kathy.”

  3. Hoping you get in touch with your muse soon, Kathy! I’m a big believer in keeping my eyes and ears open, then asking “What if?” Given what I write, I tend to keep the answer to the question to myself while in polite company. Cheers!

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  4. Listening to others’ conversations wherever you are (and then–the hard part–remembering them).

    Here’s hoping the muse returns soon, my dear, as I’m eager to read more of your writing! xoxo

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    1. Oh my GOODNESS, yes! This is so perfect. Jimmy Fallon used to do a “What I Overheard” bit that always made me laugh–and I kept imagining nefarious plans being overheard, as well.

      Thank you for the encouragement and kind words! ❤

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    2. Ditto to all this! I LOVE imbibing in a bit of conversational shoplifting. These days, with everyone’s nose buried in their phone, you don’t even have to remember it. I just type the interesting convos as they happen around me. That’s why I love food courts and airports. Another exercise that keeps my fiction brain nimble-ish is to try and describe the way a unique person looks, or a smell, or the sound of a voice. It’s really hard! But it keeps that muscle flexing.

      And Kathy, I’m glad the nudge is tickling at you again!

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  5. I want to see you in Bookland, Kathy!

    Agree with all your tips, and I’ll add one thing: I really like reading articles on or watching/listening to authors. Just imbibing that creative energy sometimes spurs me forward.

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  7. Kathy, hope to see you soon in fictionland! I’ve taken a detour through the news department. But it has felt good — writing regularly again!

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  8. Kathy, I’ll make the journey to Bookland with you–I’m writing Book 2 and I’d love some fun company for the roadtrip! You’ve got this. I know you can’t go wrong, because you could write your grocery list and I’d want to read it!

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