I believe in allowing the mood of that which I am writing to influence the way in which I type.  That is to say, if I am writing a scene which is full of angst, I will pound the keys much more furiously.  If the scene calls for a gentle hand, I will be soft.

I believe that cadence plays a very large part in how I write, and in all honesty, I believe it makes me a better writer.

Now, this is not something which I have discussed with other writers (surprisingly).  Perhaps there are many who do the same.  Perhaps not.  Behind office doors, it’s hard to tell how others accomplish the same feat of putting words to paper.

It’s a “method acting” type of writing, and I’d have it no other way.  It allows you to be more involved in that which you are writing.  You are not only a cold, all knowing entity controlling the story.  Rather, you are in the heat of it, running alongside your heroine down a dark alley, your fingers ablaze on the keyboard.  Your hands sway ever so gently as music plays and the couple dances together.  You pause as your narrator sighs.

It works quite effectively, as it puts you in the proper frame of mind, thereby allowing you to rightly feel what is necessary in order to choose the best words for the scene.  If your heart is not beating faster as the plot hastens, how can you justify the passion in the words?

I’m certain there are Zen writers out there able to calmly separate themselves from the emotions which they transcribe onto the page.  And I’ve no doubt they are exceptionally talented.

For me though, I need that sense of connectedness.  That sense of belonging in the story.

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