Writing in a Different Mood

Well, in my seemingly neverending novel, I'm stuck at a chapter because it has to be written in a happy, somewhat joyful (but not too much) mood, but I don't do happy. =] I write from a dark prospective at times, or at least throughout the majority of the book. So how can I go from to like that? *snaps fingers for emphasis* Any help is appreciated.

Thats a great question. Often when writers start off writing gloomy, dark books, they can't seem to break from that emotion because that's what they're used to. What I suggest is, that you try to define what your character's definition of happy would be. For example: Let's say your MC's name is George. George has lost his whole family in a car accident. Lost his eyesight trying to save a little girl from an explosion and now spends his days inside a hospital, deformed. People tease him and his life is just miserable. Happiness for him could be a smile or a simple thank you from the girl he saved. It doesn't always have to be what we as people perceive as happiness, like winning a million dollars or falling in love. Try to find the essential things in your character's life and build from it.
Hope I helped,
-Angel

Thanks, you did help a bit, lol. The thing is, I have four main characters (but one is just.. .um... main-er? than the others). From my Main-Main Character, it is dark, somewhat gloomy, but for one of his cousins - the second main character - the chapter would be in a lighter tone. So whenever I'm writing about my MC, it is dark, but during the times when it is surrounding my 2MC, it is lighter. So do you have any thoughts? I think I just need to change my mindset from 1 to 2... That will be fun

I like listening to music when I write. Just choose a song that reflects the mood. Choose a sad song for a sad scene, and happy songs for happy scenes.

Just not when you're editing. Edit in silence.

Haha, I'm always listening to music while I write, draw, etc. Odd thing is, I can write an extremely gory death scene while listening to Paramore So... that wouldn't exactly work.

Thanks for your input though

I give props to you. Four main characters? To tell you the truth, I couldn't do it. I'm not sure what to say is except, dedicate one week to one character, wait a little bit longer and write for your next character. If you're the type of person who keeps having your character on your mind like all the time (like me) then seek help from someone. Not like a collaboration or anything just do some role-playing ask opinions and just research on different perspectives.
-Angel

Lol, I just might do that. Thanks

Maybe I should just force myself to write meaningless sentences and then go back and edit it all once I have words down, haha.

You shouldn't have to turn your writing style to 'happy' to have an optimistic scene. Just write down what your characters are doing. That should be enough.

When you write fiction, keep in mind that characters will inevitably change in the course of the story. That is, a man who loses a loved one in a car accident might progress from grief to coming to terms with their loss; a gambling obsessive may realise that money can't make you happy; a newlywed couple could find their marriage isn't as idyllic as they first thought.

All of these changes will need some kind of catalyst: the grieving man might meet a new friend in a counselling group and so on. These triggers and the choices they force characters to make should help you find different shades of mood to use in your writing.

Another thing I would recommend is the use of what Mark Twain (I think?) called "objective correlatives." That is, you attach an object to a person and what happens to it reflects progressions in mood. The gambling obsessive might decide to give away the money he normally spends at the bookies to a charity, for example. The newlywed husband buys a vase and flowers for the bride, but in a fight the vase gets smashed. And so on and so forth. Basically, you're creating symbols that you can pull out at points in the story.

I doubt the original poster is still viewing this thread but oh well. Here I am regardless. Better late than never, aye?

*

What the original poster asked was basically how can he "master" the ability to switch moods, such as going from a rather meloncholy/gloomy disposition then to his other main character be able to have the freedom in switching to a lesser but lighter attitude.

The answer is - unfortunately - practice. It's the same as in asking how one is able to switch mindsets without losing the ability of sounding fanamine with a male character (if the writer is indeed a woman) and vice versa with a guy writer.

For me personaly, I seem to get along better with guys as in a friendly stand point - more things in common - than girls. I deplore with an absolute passion all that glitzing, fancy, makeup crapola stuff. So, it's quite easy for me to sit comfortable in a man's mindset. That means I can be at a disadvantage when I have female characters. To counter this problem however, I will always tell a person who is struggling to get out in the public eye and "people watch." It is a vast and incrediable skill that is greatly underestimated and not actually fully accepted. I suppose "people watching" is just overlooked by writers as we are brought up in a multi-culteral bloodstream and so we just don't process the valuable tools of this gift right dab in front of us.

Just bring a small pad of paper and a pencil to quickly erase mistakes and just watch and listen to the people. You'll be rewarded and combined with your imagination, the possibilities are endless...