One of our goals here at Today’s Author is to help all of the writers among us to do what we love to do: write. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by talking to each other and learning from each other. Our Writers Circle series is designed to do just that – provide a chance for us to discuss writing, editing and publishing questions.
This week’s topic is:
We all go through phases in our lives where things are going well or things are more challenging. Times when we are happy and times when we’re feeling run down and sad. How do these phases and moods impact your writing? Are you able to find ways to channel where you are in real life into quality words on the page that remain consistent no matter what you are experiencing? Are there times when you find you are able to use your mood to improve your writing?
Let’s discuss this in the comments and see what our community thinks.
Today's Author 
There are times when my writing can change my mood. If I am sad, writing a humous piece can lift my sprits. When I am troubled, writing about it can clear my mind and give me the strength to move forward.
Writing can be done in good times and bad.
Back in “the old days”… I could ONLY write comedy when I was miserable. I don’t know why, it just worked better. These days that doesn’t seem to be true, but when I was younger, it was a Truth (with the capital T).
Lately, I’ve found that my moods have made it more likely that I will write a piece in the first person. It’s not necessarily about *me* but I can set myself into the mood of that character more easily when my mood matches that of the character.
There are times when I can find it very difficult to write. I read other people’s prose and instantly feel insecure because, to my mind, my own work seems flat and dead in comparison.
Then, I read something and think ‘wow, if only I could write like this!’ and I get a sudden burst of energy and tear into whatever piece I’m working on. Then it all comes round again.
I know I’m not alone in this – I’ve spoken with a lot of other writers out there, both professional and amateur, who say they feel the same way.
Conversely, I often find that if I’m feeling down in the dumps, escaping to my own little world (I write fantasy, after all!) can be a catharsis I need. As Stephen King has said “writing is hypnosis”.