Weird Rituals

[Saiketsu]

When I write with my characters, I really like to get into their heads. In fact I like to get so into them sometimes that I like to research certain things that they would have exposure to and try to replicate it. I was wondering how many of you were like that with your characters. I want to know if anyone has any out-of-the-norm rituals that they routinely do in order to get into their characters\' heads.

For my character Damien I burn candles (non-scented tapers in holders) and incense. It\'s fun, especially at night, I put the brightness of the screen down as low as it can go, and get out two tapers and just work by candlelight on paper or on the computer, burning incense that remind him of the past or a certain mood. It really works to draw him out, especially when I\'m working on his history. I put on some contemporary classical music, something tinged with sadness and see what comes out.

For Nikolai, it\'s Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails turned up as loud as I can deal with it, (and then some, because he\'s an asshole). Sometimes I have to draw with pen in his notebook, other times I have to stare very blankly at the computer screen or play a song continuously. I sometimes have to research how Crystal Meth, Cocaine, or Heroin is created. Or look at porn, depending upon the mood.

Anyway. Don\'t make me feel like the freak here. You know you all do something to get into the mindset for them.

[The Cedar Witch]

Sonya:
Music: Very mood based.  Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Static-X, Rob Zombie, Chopin, Beethoven, Debussy, Bach, any contemporary piano violin or cello, renaissance music, AFI, The Used.
Visuals: maps of Europe, pictures of Ukraine or mountains, her own profile picture, Italian architecture, old castles, the ocean, sunrises and sunsets, abstract art.
Readings:  Her profile, old threads (sometimes), any mentioning of the history of Ukraine or anything about the Byzantine Empire, strange cryptic things.
Other: The first thing I try to do is burn incense and candles.  Sometimes I "let her" take my shower (I bought her honeysuckle scented perfume and body wash specifically for this) which takes fucking FOREVER because she is extremely OCD about cleanliness (I can\'t let her shave my legs because I would come out bleeding, despite the perfectly close shave).  Painting also helps (or drawing with charcoal), if she is in that mood.  Writing with my calligraphy pen and ink in her notebook is probably the most productive thing I could do.  Driving recklessly also brings her out, but for obvious reasons that isn\'t exactly a good idea.  Smoking cloves makes her almost instantly active, so doesn\'t being naked but I can\'t do either when someone\'s around...

Storm:
Music: Coldplay, Death Cab For Cutie, The XX, Fever Ray, Yelle, Brand New and Imogen Heap are all of her "favorites".  Nine Inch Nails (Closer) and Three Days Grace are bands I use to get her into a more sad mood.
Visuals: Depends on the mood of the thread.  Sometimes I\'ll have to look up cute pictures of kittens and birds, go walk in the woods and look at trees, or look up forest pictures. The rain really gets her going too, and sunlight on the grass.  sometimes porn if it\'s violent enough
Readings: Haha. Um, sometimes I look up ridiculously cute romance fanfictions.  Either that or read over a few passages in Interview with a Vampire.  For the serious/sad threads I usually search for abuse/rape support websites and survivor stories...  Otherwise I look over old threads or her profile (but lately that hasn\'t really been working because I\'m planning on changing so much about her...).
Other: Taking a nap works for her sometimes...thinking about nightmares.  Things like that.  She also has her own body wash/perfume so I let her take showers sometimes.  Wearing someone else\'s sweatshirt that is too big for me is always good.

Malakai:  
Music: Powerman 5000, Marilyn Manson, Static-X (sometimes), Velvet Revolver, System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, Type O Negative.
Visuals:  Tattoos, his own picture, pictures of attractive men
Readings: his own profile, applicable history
Other: When I\'m sewing he\'s easily attainable, or doing anything meticulous with my hands (like making jewelry or any sort of 3-D art.  Cooking will sometimes bring him out, which is kind of weird. Petting my cats, smoking, laughing and cleaning.

Laurent:
Music: Nine Inch Nails (closer), Three Days Grace, Rob Zombie (More Human than Human, Foxy), any songs about sex or that have moaning girls.
Visuals: Dirty porn, anything violent, anything sexual, pictures of Storm.
Readings: old threads, his profile, Storm\'s profile, explicit/erotic literature involving rape/violent situations
Other: Forcing myself to smile like a creep is a starting point.  Other than that, it\'s hard to get him "out".  Smoking helps.

[Trillian]

I don\'t have a constant ritual, but I do get inspired for scenes (and to a lesser degree, characters) mostly from certain songs that grab me a certain way.  If I\'m already in a creative mood and I\'m listening to music, my mind will wander a \'what if\' scenario that either suits an existing character or if not, I will invent a character that will suit the scenario.  In other words, my characters are usually invented for scenes to begin with.

[Harlequin]

I like to get into my characters\' headspace as much as the next guy, but I don\'t think I do anything special for them, individually. I usually pace up and down my living room as I\'m waiting for posts, and I absolutely CANNOT not be listening to music as I\'m posting or reading.

I also have a habit of wandering out for a walk when I\'m waiting for a post that I\'m especially excited for. I do my best writing after I\'ve gone down to the playground late, late, late at night and gone on the swings and visited some of the neighborhood cats. XD