Last weekend I wrote a Short Snippet Saturday post about Dane Carlson, my soldier slash cowboy in Of the Cowboy’s Own Accord. Maybe this is a good time to mention how I had to get in a certain mindset to begin that book. I had to pull in emotion, get sad, and feel an ache in my heart. His book starts out n his mom’s POV. (Remember, once this was a dilemma?)
I’m a mom. Neither of my boys had to go off to war, but in my younger years, I experienced it first hand with my boyfriend at the time. Well, he was much more than a boyfriend. The emotion was raw and painful to see him leave, each and every time he left. Plus, I had intense sadness the day, and days to follow, when my oldest son moved across the country…and he’s still there.
From Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Simple Definition of inspiration: Something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create : a force or influence that inspires someone.
I had to find that raw and painful ache again to begin the story through a mom’s eyes, and also to be able to view it through his girlfriend’s eyes, and even his own feelings about going to war again. (I prefer to write hero focused books.) Other than plotting out my story, before and during writing this book, I did two things:
- Went back to the day my oldest son moved to California. Drawing from experience from the day he left, I was able to experience that emotion all over again. My heart had been broken. Our hearts get broken a lot being a parent, but we have to look at it as a step toward their happiness. And then we can smile in their happiness.
- Listened to a song over and over and over because “I Drive Your Truck” makes me cry.
The first time I heard this country tune, I cried. Then, one day while listening to NPR Radio, I heard the true story behind the song, and I cried even harder. Just now, I found the video on You Tube–a news report from CNN with the full story behind the lyrics. I didn’t cry, but if I play the song right now, I will. And I do plan on playing the song.
Today my Inspiration for the Muse post is for the way the song and life experiences clawed at my emotions to help me write Dane’s tale. I wanted to post the video with the true story, but I don’t want it to seem that I’m using that song and story for my own benefit. (Cover model Jason Alexander Charchan portraying my hero, Dane.)
In fact, I’m not even going to post the video here.
Instead, I’ll leave you to decide if you want to feel emotion today. Click HERE to view the video.
If this is something you don’t want to experience at the moment, go ahead and skip listening. Or, maybe it won’t get to you the same way, after all, I’m the one who had to get in the right mindset to write a book.
This tune by Lee Brice was Song of the Year in 2014. “‘I Drive Your Truck’ also won Song of the Year at the 2013 CMA Awards in November.” Source: Taste of Country
Anyway, this is a couple of the ways I garnered emotion to get into the right mindset to write this book.
I’m happy you visited today. If you left sad, I apologize, but I’ll also remind you that I write happy endings. (With a box of tissues.)
Image Credits: Pixabay. Jason Alexander Charchan- (A special shoot done for my book by Period Images)
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
10 thoughts on “Tuesday Inspiration for the Muse: To Garner Emotion”
D. Wallace Peach
This is how actors and actresses do it too, Mary, by focusing in on other experiences of loss, loneliness, separation and transcribing them into the current scene. I totally understand how you tap those painful emotions. I think that’s how readers become emotionally involved in our books. The human experience has so much to it that’s universal.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Well, to use an old cliche, you “hit the nail on the head,” Diana 🙂 I’ve heard actresses on talk shows say the same thing. Thanks for reading.
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davidprosser
I have certain songs which hit the emotion button for me. Either because they are sad songs or because of something from my life associated with the song.But I can also draw on the emotion of a sad even by going through it in my mind, like the death of someone dear to me.
There are times I’m so sad that it pulls me right down and the best way to deal with it is to try and reach enough emotion from it to make me cry which can burn off the sadness. I read Teagan doesn’t understand why someone would want to make themselves sad, well this is one reason why, to get it out of your system. Kiss and say goodbye by the Manhattans is almost enough to take me where I want to go emotionally.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
David, that is a heartfelt comment and enough to make me get the tissues. You gave a great explanation as to why someone would want to make themselves sad–better than anything I could have come up with myself. One song in particular comes to mind for me, for me in real life, and it always hits that emotion button. So much so, that for a long time I couldn’t allow myself to listen to it because it made my heart clench. It kind of still does if I let my thoughts go in that direction. Music is amazing! Would you believe now that song is a theme song for an upcoming book I have just written? (Not published yet.) Thanks so much for commenting.
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Mary Ann
Those are some great tips on how to get in the mood you want to write about!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thanks, Mary Ann. Whatever it takes. 🙂 I appreciate your comment.
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teagan geneviene
Thank you for happy endings, Mary. 🙂
I’m glad you found your inspiration.
I never willingly watch or listen to anything that makes me cry. Neither do I pretend to understand anyone enjoying such things… Maybe that’s because I’m still looking for a happy ending. Mega hugs!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Teagan, if I can’t get into my characters’ head, how can I expect anyone else to? I like my real-to-me characters to come across as real. In order to write that, I have to feel it. I know there are those who don’t want to feel sad, so that’s why I mentioned it might be emotional. I don’t like to be sad in my real life.
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debcandrews
Great post! I love Lee Brice, and also his brother Lewis Brice. He’s also really good as well.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I believe Lee’s brother is the guy driving the truck in the video. I didn’t know he sang. Thanks for commenting, Debra.
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