There is no one right way to write a book, and no single place to start that works for everyone. Authors from across the CI family reflect on those things they find vital to get in the writing zone or unlock their inspiration. It’s a snapshot into a lot of minds... perhaps you’ll find some inspiration here.

Autumn Barlow  Bizarrely, limited time. When I have a few free days I waste them. When I am busy and have to deliberately schedule in something like "4pm-5pm, write 1000 words" then I do it. Throughout the day I am thinking about what to write, and when I get that precious hour, I can make the most of it, because I know it's all I'll get. So - a busy schedule is essential! I have to have that spark of inspiration first - I carry it in my head, nurture it while I am busy, so that I'm bursting to write once I get the chance.

Helen Noble Feeling excited or inspired is essential to my writing. Forcing the words or ideas into schedule just never works for me. I become miserable as the process becomes a huge struggle and the words just don't flow. The trigger can be words from a song, something I see, or a notion that crystallises in my mind when I'm in the shower. Coffee and window are a given. I also like to light a scented candle. Music but preferably without words, so I can concentrate on what’s already in my head!

Nimue Brown Mostly practical things for me - I need to hand write the first draft of anything longer than a blog post. I need coffee, a good window to stare out of while procrastinating, and some sense of who I am writing for - specific individuals for preference.

Julia Heywood Music, music and more music...can't write without it!

Elizabeth Hopkinson Very little is essential. I agree with coffee and light. And with a busy schedule (although not too busy). I schedule my writing in with my chores, so I may do my supermarket shopping, then sit in the cafe and write my quota before taking the shopping home.

K.A. Coleman Anger or sadness. I write best when my emotions are strongest. Also, rereading what I have written so far. It helps me shift my voice back into character.

Polly Langford I have to have peace, quiet and solitude. I usually start to write stuff in my head while walking my dog, alone in the countryside, woods are especially good. Just at the moment my muse keeps dancing in and out, a little restless.

Cathie Devitt Ink in my printer-lead in my pencil- ideas in my brain - being home alone with ideas and lotsa salty snacks and cold jugs of water

Roderick Vincent Capturing every single idea in a notebook before it flies out of your head. Many ideas are ephemeral and slip away if it isn't written down.

Nicolas Forzy A place of transit works best for me. Train stations, airports, busy cafes, hotel lobbies are all great locations for me to write. I can just look up and pick someone to use as a character. All the energies that criss-cross in these places make for great inspiration and an electrical vibe that I feed from when I write. A trusty Moleskine notebook with a micro uni-ball eye pen completes the blissful picture. I'm ready to build a world.

Elen Sentier Quiet. Open space, like being on the moors. No people. Lots of wildlife.

Colleen Douglas Keeping my eye out for the gods of chaos who yank my chain with buggy words and habits. Everything in writing is personal – style, subject matter, genres, themes. Half of it you don’t know you’re doing. The personal includes things that bug you. Some are useful because they can inform your writing – injustice and inequality for example. Others bug you by turning up in your writing and messing with it. E.g Worm Words
Talula Perie pulled the saddle from Sindri Skullka-Son, her faithful battle-mole. She seemed to be upset about something.
Only seemed to be? And only about something. That’s OK then, no need to worry.
Either Talula is upset, or she isn’t. If she isn’t, don’t mention it. If she is, then say so and why.
Talula brushed away a tear as she unsaddled Sindri Skullka-Son. She laid her head against the side of her faithful battle-mole and listened to its faltering heart.

Jenny Thomson That my characters are crafted well so that they become real, because if your characters aren't real to you how can they be to anyone reading?

Jan Krause Greene I need days in a row of complete focus when I do nothing else but write, (and eat, and, oh yea, drink some wine at the end of a productive day!) I wrote my first book in two sittings of one week each spread out over two years.

Krystina Kellingley A writing implement and a piece of paper.

Marie Yates Quiet... I really need a quiet space!

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