Tracy's Thoughts

Posted By Tracy Goodwin on February 9, 2011

I’m one of those people who sometimes need visual inspiration in order to pull me out of my real life and into writing mode.  For example, sitting on the corner of my desk in my office is an autographed picture of Hugh Jackman in The Prestige (awesome movie, if you haven’t seen it, by the way).   I remember watching it in the theater, turning to my husband and whispering “Oh my God, that’s Tristan!“   

Tristan MacAlistair is a character in all three of my novels, and is the hero in The Skilled Seduction the third book in my series.  At the time The Prestige was released, Dance With Deception was complete and under contract while its sequels, Enticing Eve and The Skilled Seduction were both works in progress.  What I saw on the screen, Hugh Jackman in his cravat and vest … it was my Tristan.  So, the photo sits on my desk as a reminder for me, for those moments when I require a little additional inspiration.

Hugh Jackman in THE PRESTIGE

The same holds true for music.  I have playlists in my iTunes for Ballads and Rock (depending on my mood and the mood of my characters, I go to the more appropriate playlist).  I also have character playlists if you can believe it.  Each gets me into a certain character’s frame of mind at those times when picking up where I left off is easier said than done. 

Yesterday and today have been playlist days for me.  Since I’m in the middle of editing two completed manuscripts and since my Little Prince is teething badly (tooth #7 broke through today while tooth #8 and tooth #9, a molar, are close to breaking through), knocking his sleep schedule completely off balance, I have been leaning on my playlists to draw me back into writing mode when the interruptions come and I have a hard time getting back into character.   My latest song is I Dreamed a Dream, the version featuring Lea Michele and Idina Menzel (from the Glee recordings).  For me, this has been my inspiration the past couple of days as I reworked a few scenes featuring Tristan and Victoria.

It never ceases to amaze me how a song or photo can change my mood and get my creativity flowing.  Of course, when I’m in edit mode, I do so in complete silence as I find it to be a distraction when I am editing (my book needs to speak for itself during edits).  But when I am writing and reworking scenes, music can be quite inspirational when I need a little added inspiration.

So, what does music do for you?  Is it a mood changer?  Or do you tune it out?

Category: Books, Dance With Deception, Enticing Eve, Personal, The Skilled Seduction, Writing | 3 Comments »
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Posted By Tracy Goodwin on January 28, 2011

Ta-dah! 

Greetings from my brand new blog!  It looks a lot different, doesn’t it?  Unfortunately, my beloved Web Mistress retired and I needed to move both domains  (TracyGoodwin.com and TracyGoodwin.net) to a different server.  This meant creating a brand new blog.  I had a great deal of fun creating it and hope you like it.

Sit back, relax, and join me for cyber tea and scones while we catch up.  What’s new with me?  Not much, but every day is a wonderful adventure with my Little Prince having just turned a year old last month.  He’s walking, talking, and exerting his independence daily which is why every day seems like an adventure.  My days are spent playing with and reading to Little Prince.  We have puppet shows and dance-offs (he loves to dance).  As he naps, I write. 

I’m in the process of editing Enticing Eve and The Skilled Seduction, the two sequels to my debut novel Dance With Deception.  I find myself quite excited about them.  Once both manuscripts are edited, I will begin pitching them and hope to find a new Publishing House.  It is my goal for this year.  If my goal sounds a bit familiar, it is.  You may recall that I had already sold my next novel to the Publisher of Dance With Deception, however my work is again on the market.  It was difficult at first, getting back into the “sell” mindset after having already sold the next one, but it is okay – everything happens for a reason and I am determined to sell both sequels this year!  As a matter of fact, I recently registered for my first Writers Conference of 2011 where I am scheduled to pitch to Amanda Bergeron of Avon.

That’s it from me for now … glad to see you here!  I hope you enjoy the new and improved Tracy’s Thoughts!

Category: Blog, Books, Dance With Deception, Enticing Eve, The Skilled Seduction, Writing | 3 Comments »
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