Finding Inspiration

[stephanieburgis]

Last week Patrick and I spent a lot of time talking about inspiration - specifically, trying to pin down the kinds of places that inspire each of us and make us feel creative, even bursting with creativity. For me, art museums often work. When I was working in central Leeds, I used to sometimes use my lunch breaks to walk over the (free!) Leeds

Comments

[sheela_chari]

That place sounds so lovely, Steph! You know, I never go looking for inspiration, and I really should do it more. I feel so sucked into my schedule that it's hard to remember to allow time to do the unfamiliar.

Travel definitely inspires me, as does crowds and events. Bus rides, subway rides, train rides -- anywhere I can observe people I don't know.

[stephanieburgis]

It's so hard (at least for me) to remember that that part of the process is important, too. I find it easy to remember that sitting down writing is work (and therefore totally justifiable to fit into my schedule), but much, much harder to remember that filling the well counts as productivity, too!

Oh, does travel sound great right now. And people-watching is such good inspiration for writing!

[bogwitch64]

The ocean, or NYC--in that order. :)

[stephanieburgis]

Mmmm, those both sound wonderful!

[heleninwales]

Gliffaes looks lovely and despite having once lived in Crickhowell, I didn't know it was there. I must remember that it's open to the public because it looks like an excellent place to relax for a few hours.

With regard to places to find inspiration, I like museums. Not the modern kind with lots of interactive computer displays but the sort that have glass cases full of random artefacts and intriguing bits of information. But for mental relaxation, recreation in the original sense of the word, the sea, lakes and forests work best.

[stephanieburgis]

It really is so lovely, and it's the kind of place where you can sit on the terrace for hours (or wander around the gardens and along the river) without anyone expecting you to keep your coffee cup topped up. Really, really relaxing and peaceful.

And every item on your inspiration list sounds wonderful to me.

[stephanieburgis]

Ooohh, that sounds ideal. I especially love the image of typing in the attic like Jo March from Little Women!

Come to Wales and we will take you to Gliffaes! *tempt* *tempt*

[stephanieburgis]

Ooh, I love that list. And I love Seattle, too! I think I would have loved it anyway, but I actually met Patrick there, during a writing workshop, so I really love it now! ;)