As a reader, though, I don’t have a preference I just love a good story.ħ. It just feels more immersive, more personal, to me than third person or past tense. I know many writers aren’t a fan of either, but this combo is my absolute favorite. I love writing in first-person present tense. Sometimes I’ll get hit with a scene that doesn’t quite fit into the story yet, but if it’s nagging at me or is particularly lovely, I’ll craft it and put a pin in it until I find the right moment to insert it into the manuscript.Ħ. I have a “free-flow writing” doc in addition to the main manuscript. Rather than rush out to my home office, I’ll just click on the light and quietly jot it down from the comfort of my bed.ĥ. Much to the chagrin of my partner, I’ll often wake up at odd hours with an idea or plot note. I sleep with a notepad and flashlight on my nightstand. Shockingly, it turns out that paralyzing stage fright is in no way conducive to being a musician the quiet solitude of authordom is much more my speed.Ĥ. Much of my college career was spent at music school studying percussion performance. I always knew that I wanted to do something creative with my life, and in fact started my writing career penning songs. Every scene in every novel has a corresponding song that plays in my head (yes, it’s rather noisy in there!)ģ. Whether I’m writing it or reading it, I throw together a playlist of songs that fit the story and generally listen to it obsessively on repeat until I start a new book. I find it makes the words flow much easier than if I were to be surrounded by silence.Ģ. I usually choose a punchy, up-tempo Pandora station to play in the background as I’m pounding away at the keyboard. I always have music on while I’m writing.

When sparks fly kristen zimmer