The Write Setting

A few weeks ago, I found myself able to getaway from the heat of Phoenix, Arizona and dashed to Lake Tahoe for a restful weekend. For me, restful means fun-filled days of long hikes. This photo was taken high above the Echo Lakes. Lovely.

Coming out from our extended walk via a boat, we passed a nice little island, where a cute cottage nestled with a deck that extended all the way to the lake. A beautiful golden retriever sat at the edge, guarding his master, a women who sat writing. Oh, the writer's life.

Since that moment I haven't been able to get that woman out of my mind. Imagine a setting like that in which to write. Yet, when I consider where my writing really gets done, I must admit it isn't when I'm in that type of environment. Often my husband and I have secreted away, he to fish and me to write in some wilderness area. I always go with such good intentions, but never seem to be able to concentrate - to work. The muse escapes me.

I've heard others speak about how invigorating it is to write in coffee shops. While I love the interplay of people surrounding me, my muse is always AWOL there, too. I generally gravitate to coffee shops when my work is in the editing stages - a time when my creativity isn't quite as crucial.

No, for me, the best writing has always been done in my office. A room of rich rose color that stimulates, but not so much that I can't focus. A place where my special things are nearby if I need them, but have become a part of the background, so they don't intrude.

I have tried many other places to find my muse: a hammock, a bathtub, a chair by the pool. While thoughts come to me in those moments, the words are elusive when I attempt to write from them. So I figure I may be like so many others, sentenced to a desk and chair in a room, sitting alone writing. A place where my muse has settled in and will talk to me.

Where do you find the muse?

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D. Jean Quarles is a writer of Women's Fiction and Young Adult Science Fiction. Her latest book, Flight from the Water Planet, Book 1 of The Exodus Series was written with her coauthor, Austine Etcheverry.

D. Jean loves to tell stories of personal growth – where success has nothing to do with money or fame, but of living life to the fullest. She is also the author of the novels: Rocky's Mountains, Fire in the Hole and, Perception. The Mermaid, an award winning short story was published in the anthology, Tales from a Sweltering City.  

She is a wife, mother, grandmother and business coach. In her free time . . . ha! ha! ha! Anyway, you can find more about D. Jean Quarles, her writing and her books at her website at www.djeanquarles.com

You can also follower her at www.djeanquarles.blogspot.com or on Facebook

How to Overcome Writer’s Block

First, let me say that I don’t believe in writer’s block. It’s my belief that block for a writer comes from a lack of preparation and a clear concept of their project.

Writers need to prepare before they begin writing to avoid writer’s block at some point in their project.

If writer’s block does occur, walk away and do something like more research, have a conversation with your characters, read a book, or even take a work to clear the cobwebs from your brain.

I have written step-by-step procedural technical writing, How-Tos, short stories, Web content, created and facilitated writing courses at an online site for writers, also created a writer’s workshop, created an online critique group, and more. I also have two blogs about writing, and blog for children and about animals on another of my four blogs, and post book reviews on a blog.

As writers, we write about what it is we feel passion about. If a writer doesn’t have passion for their project, why are they writing it? Writers need to have a clear idea of what and why they want to write a particular project.

I believe that a quote by Mark Twain, which says, "The time to begin writing an article is when you have finished it to your satisfaction. By that time you begin to clearly and logically perceive what it is that you really want to say." is something that writers need to consider. I use this quote as part of my e-mail signature. It speaks volumes to me.

If writers wait for the muse to visit them, they will be waiting a long time.

Whether novice or seasoned writer, have your research completed, get the words down, than edit it or have someone you trust edit it.

The bottom line is proper research and concept before you begin writing to avoid writer’s block.