Sometimes I Need Visual Stimulation

B. A. Binns here. I took a screenwriting course from Michael Hauge two years ago and learned why many authors do not write the screenplay when their novels are adapted for film. I also learned to stimulate my muse by watching a movie unfold, seeing the stages and cataloging the checkpoints.

I began this month in a rut with not one but two different books, the sequel to PULL, my Young Adult Contemporary, and an adult Romantic Suspense novel. I was in massive writer’s block with both, so this past weekend I took myself away from the computer and to the movies to give my mind a break. I chose action flics and got energized instead of relaxed. And I learned two great things I’ll use in my future writing.

 The value of nostalgia

Captain America, the First Avenger was a double walk down memory lane. I’m a baby boomer, born after the triumphant return of a veteran, so I don’t exactly remember World War II. But it was prominent in my American History classes. And I grew up reading Captain America comics. I consider this movie an example of a historical the way they should be.  Added bonus, it almost makes me wish I’d paid more attention in school, if only to laugh at where they bend history just a trifle. (Maybe more than a trifle)

The virtue of mixing genre’s 

Will someone tell me why I didn’t think of the idea behind Cowboy’s and Aliens myself? The two genre's worked well together, and not just because of the charisma of the male leads. It could easily have been named Cowboys and Outlaws and Indians and Aliens and not only did the battle scenes and brave heros from the wild west energize me, the movie left me flowing with ideas for other genre blending tales.

And I guarantee the image of Daniel Craig in the cowboy shower will be in my head when I create the hero for my next book.

My  muse thanks me

I know the visual media of movies is not the same as the print media of books. But we both want to do the same things, entertain our customers and make them want to come back for more. And sometimes my muse really needs a good visual kick-start.  I don’t know whether it was the visual eye candy or just watching so many bad guys get what they deserved, but I’m back to pouring out the pages.

Leave me a comment and tell me how you get your own muse in gear. Just what you’re looking for in books and movies to for relaxation and entertainment yourself.

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