Inspiration Series, Part 2: Places, Real or Imagined
April 27th 2008 00:12
Part 2: Places, Real or Imagined
Every writer understands the powerful influence our surroundings can exert on our creativity. We all have favorite places where we feel more tranquil, more energized, more imaginative, or more expressive--in short, more attuned to our Muse. These places differ for everyone--and even for the same writer at different times. Yet, they are the places that tend to inspire us the most--to draw from somewhere deep within us the feelings and thoughts and ultimately the words that carry our souls across the miles to connect with those for whom we write.
Real Places that Bring Us Real Vision
For some, it might be a particular room in your home where you're perfectly content and your mind is free to roam, or perhaps a special chair where your relaxation is complete and you’re free to sit back and indulge in grand imaginings. For others it could be a tree-shaded spot in the back yard, where you sit undisturbed for hours with the breeze gently blowing through your hair, while you dream your personal dreams of wonder, weaving fanciful tales of courage and grandeur. Maybe it's your garden, where you dig up the soil, burying your hands in the moist, cool earth as you plant the seeds of thought that bring forth a bountiful harvest of beauty which fragrantly fills the air. Or you might prefer the seashore, where the sound of the breaking surf combined with the crisp salt air invigorates your spirit and fills your heart with high adventure.
Finding Inspiration in Unlikely Places
There will always be places like these, where we know we can retreat, leaving the world and its noise and chaos far behind--places we can count on to gently and quietly woo our Muse. Yet, there are other places, as well--places that bring the delightful surprise of unexpected inspiration. When we visit such places, we may at first be totally oblivious to the internal transformation that will soon occur as our imaginations are touched by the magic of our surroundings. These places are always a delight to discover. And the key to finding inspiration in unlikely places is to always be open to sensing, learning, growing, and perceiving new things--no matter where we are.
Imaginary Places that Clarify Our Vision
Then, there are those places deep inside us that we can visit when we need instant inspiration. Perhaps we haven’t the time or means to visit our favorite temporal places. Perhaps we’re ill or otherwise unable to travel to those locations--physically, at least. Maybe we’re away from home and from our favorite room, or desk, or special easy chair. Yet, wherever we are, there’s always a place right in the center of our souls where we can go and find the inspiration we need to create. Whether we fancy ourselves in one of the places we love, or create magical new realms in our own minds, we’re free to fly there on the wings of our imaginations and drink in the animating power they bring to our art.
Places, both real and imagined, can inspire us in so many ways! So, whatever your place of inspiration, go there--and drink in the magic!
Inspirationally yours,
Jeanne
Did you enjoy this post? Have any special places of inspiration you'd like to share with us? We'd love to hear about the places that inspire you!
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Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I've deleted your comment, because my policy is not to display comments which use keywords in the Name field. Feel free to replace it if you'd like to use your name or the name of your blog instead of a keyword phrase. (No, I don't speak German, but I do have access to a good online German-English dictionary.)
Thanks for the visit!
Jeanne
Comment by Robyn
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
That's what I call inspiration! What a beautiful, tranquil scene you've pictured for us!
I know just what you mean about the magic such a place can bring to everything we write. The scene doesn't have to be directly related to the topic of our current work-in-progess--it simply invigorates us, wakens our imagination to the many possibilities that surround us, making us more aware of the rich existential tapestry in which we "live and move and have our being." Sometimes we use that inspiration to express beauty, sometimes logic--and at one time or another, nearly everything else in between.
Thanks for sharing your insight!
Jeanne
Comment by AmyHuang
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Sorry life has been busy I haven't had the time to regularly visit - this is a great post by the way! I love places and different places spark different inspiration.
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I know exactly what you mean! I've been so busy lately, I've hardly had time to visit any blogs at all!
So glad you enjoyed this post! Thanks for stopping by in the middle of your busy schedule to read and share your thoughts!
Wishing you tons of inspiring places to visit!
Jeanne
Comment by Robyn
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
Well-said! I like the paradox of steadfast unpredictability! That's certainly an apt description of the natural world! This world of ours, with its potent natural forces, definitely exerts an enormous influence on us and on our writing in oh so many ways!
Thanks for stopping back by to share more words of wisdom!
Jeanne