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I have a magic writing t-shirt.

It’s a t-shirt that I bought for myself at a convention, back when having a book published seemed a distant dream.  I’m not sure what year, but I do know that I’d just started working on WARPRIZE.

It’s getting old, now.  The design on the front is cracked and faded.  There is a slight tear in the front, because one of my cats used me as a launch pad at some point.  The hem is getting worn and frayed.  There are big holes developing under the sleeves.

Why don’t I get rid of it?

Ummm.  Did I mention that it’s magic?

I have a day job, as some of you know, so I tend to write in the evening, or on the weekends, wearing worn jeans and my magic writing t-shirt.

I usually write in snatches.  I carry a pad of paper and during the day, when my characters are talking in the back of my head, I will make a note or write a paragraph, so that when I get time to sit down and write in the evening, the information is there waiting for me.  Usually my characters are fairly talkative, and let me know of what is happening in the story.  Lots of little notes, bits of dialogue, even the outline of a scene. 

Those are good days, when the words flow like water from a spring, clear and cold and perfect, and my fingers dance over the keyboard.  When I look up and realize that its midnight, and I have to work in the morning, but if I can just get one more paragraph down on the page. . .

That is the best feeling in the world.

But then there are days where. . .

Greetings.  You have reached the Castle of Water’s Fall, in the Kingdom of Xy.  No one is available to take your call at this time.  Please leave your message at the tone.  Your call will be answered as soon as we have developed the technology to retrieve this message.

[sigh] You get the idea.

Somehow, when I put on my magic t-shirt, with its worn hem and cuffs, and its holes, somehow it helps.  I don’t know why or how it works, but the act of putting it on helps me focus.  Now, maybe that is all in my head. . .but hey, that is where my characters are too, right?

Now the rational part of my brain knows darn well that my skills don’t actually change by putting on a piece of clothing.  At least I hope not, because I am going to have some explaining to do when that poor shirt is nothing but tatters.  But as humans, we aren’t completely rational, now are we? 

In my new book, WARLORD, there is a scene where Lara appears before the Council of Elders: 
I stood before them all, in the flame red dress, and matching slippers.  I’d put on the bracelets, dotted a bit of my precious vanilla oil between my breasts, and braided my hair down my back. I also had my satchel slung on my hip, and while the strap may have marred the cut of the dress, I’d carried it anyway.  In my own way, I was armed for combat, although they might not recognize the dress or satchel as such.  Still, there had been a stir when I’d entered the pavilion, and it had given me a bit more confidence.
I would take every morsel I could find.

Who hasn’t used a piece of clothing, a bit of perfume or a favorite purse to ‘gird their loins’ for the day?  While we may not be facing a hostile Council of Elders, we all have private battles and difficulties that we need to confront.  How do you prepare yourself, or give yourself that extra edge?  A favorite pair of shoes?  A piece of jewelry?