Goodreads asked M.L. Harveland:

How do you get inspired to write?

M.L. Harveland Daily, I am surrounded by things that inspire me to write. Mostly, it’s a feeling I glean from something in my current environment, whether it be complex, like reading an in-depth psychological profile, or simplistic, like a candle flickering in a dark corner.

From a practical standpoint, I can become inspired by simply reading a well-written book from a favorite (or new) author. Podcasts on writing are also inspiring to me, especially when listening to authors speak on their own craft, and the personal anxieties caused by it. It seems odd, but hearing an author whom I admire speak self-deprecatingly (much like I do, particularly around publication time) is reassuring; it reminds me that I’m human, and that I’m on the right path, though it might not feel like it at the time.

Typically, it is the bizarre or macabre that fascinates me. I am occasionally plagued by night terrors, which I can then translate into a terrifying scene on the page. Other times, I watch movies or TV shows, read books, or listen to podcasts that focus on the supernatural, inexplicable, or morbid. I relish the eerie shiver that derives from hearing, reading, or seeing these fantastical elements, which then inspires me to delve into that dark corner of my mind and create.

Oddly enough, the weather has a deep effect on my writing. If the day is grey, gloomy, stormy, or foggy, I have a tendency to retreat inward to my happy, fantastical space (which would be a dismal, depressing place for most), and I am inspired to write, all day sometimes. Sunny days make me feel choleric, so those are always good days to write volatile scenes…or have one of my characters meet an untimely end.

My favorite place to find inspiration is riding in the car. The proper elements must be in place. First, it must be a dismal day; rain is an option. Then, I must have a winding road, which is flanked by ancient, overhanging trees that create an unnerving feeling like one is traveling through a tunnel toward who-knows-where. Sound isn’t necessary; the quiet helps me sink deeper into my mind. However, a deeply melancholic tune (like “Change (in the House of Flies)” by Deftones) can also add a creative element.

Really, the world contains little nooks of inspiration around every corner. People can be inspired to write anywhere they go, providing they are open to it, and have a great cup of coffee at hand.

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