Repetition Makes The Writer Grow...

Have you ever set the "Repeat" function on your CD player and listened to the same song hundreds upon hundreds of times in a row? Have you ever wished your DVD player could just keep the movie playing on a reel so that you don't have to bother pressing the play button over and over again?

I have. And I do all the time. Call me obssessed, but when I find something that inspires me, makes me feel mad, sad or elated, I'm the kind of writer who wants to get to the root of WHY I'm impacted.

When I find a book or movie or song I can't put down due to the level of my addiction to them, I not only want to know WHY I can't put it down or stop watching or stop singing the lyrics in my car (while I'm alone, no passengers). I want to know HOW I can achieve the effect with my work.
When I'm inspired by someone else's creativity, I never want to copy the actual story or characters. But I do want to bring forth the same emotional impact to my readers. So while I'm obssessively listening, watching or reading, I'm also dissecting.

Think about picking up your favorite something and studying it as you would a classic. Is it one word or a series of words that invoke sadness within you? Is it someone's tone of voice rather than what their character actually says that makes you feel happy? What elements exist to create a rapport between you and the character you're reading, watching or listening to?

Delve deep, evaluate the factors that make something absolutely addictive to you. With a better understanding of WHY and HOW other authors/actors/singers draw an emotion from you, the better your chances are of being able to do it with your audience. With your own work, your own unique style and your own ability to inspire others.