"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, November 28, 2011

Creative Seasons

This past weekend, I was organizing some of my writing projects, including the four novels that I have written. I was stunned when I discovered that each of the four novels was started in the month of December.

I was organizing because for the past two months, I have had strong inspiration for a new novel flowing within me.

I found it extremely interesting that I have always starting writing my novels in December. Why?—well my conclusion is—because it's my writing season.

This time, I paid close attention to those moments of true inspiration and my habits. The creative inspiration surfaced in late September with the first burst of real cool weather…you know, that kind of day where you feel that fall is just around the corner. Up here in Northern Indiana, it’s when the first strong cold front comes through. The front pulls the crisp, Canadian air down Lake Michigan on a strong, chilly, north wind. The inspiration for the plot flowed through October, which is also my birth month. Hmmm? I began to take many notes as the plot unraveled into November. I thought about it at work, driving, in the shower, and in that place between sleep and dreams. I was revising at the time, but that didn’t stop or interfere with the plotting.
 
When I think back, the other books were born the same way…in the same fall-to-winter seasons. I realized that I’m a winter writer. I give birth to a plot in the late summer to early fall, and start writing just after Thanksgiving, all the way to May. Now having said this, I can revise all year long or write history articles any time…but as a novelist, there is a creative writing season for me.

I’m starting my new project next week. I can’t wait!

What about you? Do you have a writing or creative season? Or do you write in every season? What is your favorite time of the year to write, or to be creative with your God-given talents?

Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree

26 comments:

Keli Gwyn said...

Wishing you all the best as you embark on your new project, Loree.

Sandra Orchard said...

Ooh, I love the freshness of embarking on a new project! I've never noticed a particular season to my writing, but I definitely notice that I'm usually most productive late at night, when the house is quiet and my editor brain has gone to bed. :)

Jessica R. Patch said...

Interesting! I'll have to go back and check, but I several take place in summer/fall. :)

Happy writing on your new project! I love beginnings!

Unknown said...

I don't think I lean towards a particular season to write, but most of my novels do take place in the summertime.

Best wishes on your new novel project! You should post a sneak-peak sentence or two every week...hint, hint! ;-)

Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fiction said...

Oh I LOVE writing in the winter, Loree! Love the cozy days by my fire place. But then I also love writing in the spring when it's stormy. I find my creative juices start boiling in the Fall because that's a time of beginnings for me. Always has been. And in the summer, I love being inside - do NOT like heat! I guess I don't really have a season. :) Does that mean I'm evergreen?

Heather Sunseri said...

Writing seasons definitely exist for me. I start most of my novels in the spring/early summer. Right after tax season. But I'm also writing heavily right now. I'm learning to take advantage of the easy going seasons, and poush through the tougher ones. I wish I could write easily year-around, however, it doesn't always work that smoothly.

Good luck with the new project, Loree!

Sarah Forgrave said...

I'm not sure that I favor a particular season, but I agree that the cold weather makes it easier to get swept away in a story. Happy writing, Loree! :)

Terri Tiffany said...

Interesting!I have not thought about my timing in writing but when I think of it I started most my books in the early spring--a time for beginnings!

Loree Huebner said...

Keli: Thank you. I just love your vlogs!

Sandra: I also love that late night writing time. I do most of my writing then. You're right...the editor brain is usually in bed by then.

Jessica: Thanks. I have a sheet of info of when I start and finish a book. I couldn't believe that they were all started in December.

Gwen: Thanks! I find it interesting that your novels take place in summertime. I might post a few here and there ;)

Marji: You are evergreen!! How awesome!

Heather: Thanks for sharing that...to write heavily during the easier seasons and push through the tougher ones - great advice. My day job does dictate my writing schedule.

Sarah: Definitely the cold weather for me too. Thanks for the well wishes.

Terri: Spring is a perfect time for writing beginnings. Perfect!

Keli, Sandra, Jessica, Gwen, Marji, Heather, Sarah, and Terri, thank you all for stopping in and commenting!

Jeanette Levellie said...

Wow. I never analyzed it, Loree. Probably Spring and Summer are my best seasons to create--I love sunshine and warmth.

Blessings on your new project!

Deana said...

Very neat! Your inspiration flows in December:) That is a cool thing to know about yourself.

Jaime Wright said...

DITTO!!! Winter is so much more conducive to writing.... I think because life slows down and snow isolates us ;)

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Good luck on your new project! This is an interesting question for sure and I've never really thought about it. For some reason I constantly get new ideas when I'm halfway or 3/4 of the way through a WIP. Something to tempt me to stop writing what I'm writing and start something new, I guess. I try really hard not to give in :)

Loree Huebner said...

Jeanette: Thank you for your wishes. Spring and Summer, sunshine and warmth - that makes sense, you are a ray of sunshine!

Deana: I just discovered it out of the blue.

Jaime: Welcome here! Yay! I think you may have hit it on the head - in winter, life slows down and the snow isolates us. We must write!

Cindy: Welcome here! Always getting new ideas is wonderful. Muli-tasking is the hard part. I'm always thinking a book ahead.

Jeanette and Deana, as always, thank you for coming by!

Jaime and Cindy, thank you for stopping in and you're always welcome here!

Your comments are always a joy to read!

Jill Kemerer said...

I love that this is your writing season! Perfect timing!

Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Any time as ideas come to my mind. I usually write during the night after my boys go to bed. Of course, I still need to spend time with my wife.

Loree Huebner said...

Jill: Thanks, Jill! There will be lots of coffee and chocolate consumed over the next few months. So glad you stopped in!

Dicky: I write a lot at night too. You do need to make sure to spend time with your lovely wife!

Jill and Dicky, thanks for popping in!

Jessica Nelson said...

Oh my goodness, too funny! I don't know if I have a season because I can never remember when I started my book!

Stacy Henrie said...

That is really fascinating, Loree! I don't know if I have a particular season when the creativity is flowing. But I do tend to set my books in early spring. :)

Loree Huebner said...

Jessica: I wouldn't remember when I started a book if I didn't write it down...lol.

Stacy: I love books set in early spring...it's a new beginning - a fresh, coming alive feeling. Nice.

Jessica and Stacy, thanks for dropping by!

Anonymous said...

Loree, yay for seasons!

I believe a lot of us are more productive at certain times of the year and at specific junctures of our lives.

I'm looking forward to reading your novels one day!

Sheri Salatin said...

I've never really thought about it like that before, but I would have to agree. I think that my most creative times are during the winter and spring. :)

Very interesting...I'll have to start keeping track. :)

Loree Huebner said...

Cynthia: Double yay for seasons! I do agree that everyone has their own.

Can't wait to see your new website!

Sheri: Welcome here! I always put a start and finish date on the original material. I just happened to look at my novels and couldn't believe that I started writing each of them in December.

Cynthia and Sheri, so nice of you to stop in. Thank you!

Carol Riggs said...

That's really intriguing! I do love writing in the winter, because it's ugly weather outside, and I can stay in my writing-cave and not "worry" about yardwork or feel guilty about not soaking up some vitamin D. LOL

Loree Huebner said...

Carol: Lol! I agree, Carol. We can stay in the cave and not worry about the yard work.

Thanks for stopping in!

Julie Musil said...

Wow, that IS fascinating! I can't say that I really have a season, since I tend to be at different stages during all the seasons.

Good luck to you as you start your new project!