A lot of people in my life love Winter and rejoice at the disappearance of sunlight (perhaps I'm friends with too many vampires?). I was determined to embrace the darknesss this year and convinced myself the rainy nights would motivate me to double my creative output... Then October and the pitch black mornings arrived, along with an unpleasant sickness bug, and me and Winter were once again not such great friends. My motivation had been zapped and I was missing being able to SEE my surroundings on my commute to and from work.
Then this morning Winter showed me her beautiful side. On an early walk to the station I was blinded by a blood red sun which slowly disappeared behind the gothic spires of a distant church. As the sky dissolved into shades of pink and orange I thought okay, maybe this is the season to be jolly after all...
I've been thinking about all of the people who are taking part in NaNoWriMo this month (I applaud your discipline and wish you well). The thought of rushing a novel doesn't appeal to me, but the challenge of upping my creative output does...So for the rest of November I'm setting myself a challenge of producing something creative, (no matter how small), every day to kickstart my motivation.
Yesterday I'd hoped to write a 4,000 word story but probably produced about 100 words I was actually happy with. I was having trouble switching off that pesky logical 'left hand' side of my brain and then I remembered a tip in my Mslexia writing diary (taken from the book 'Drawing on the Right Hand Side of the Brain') which suggested you start drawing, listening to music, do some gardening or meditate, in order to force a cognitive shift and send the left hand side into shutdown.
So I kept listening to music and started doodling (the result of which is at the top of this post). It seemed to work - maybe a bit too well as I found myself wide awake at 3am this morning with new ideas for stories whirring around my head...
Here's to the dark and rainy nights where we get to lock ourselves indoors without the guilt of feeling like we should be enjoying the sunshine outside... Happy writing!
I love your drawing, Vikki. It would make a beautiful illustration for a book cover.
ReplyDeleteI adore autumn and winter, but keep missing the sunrises and sunsets. I always intend to go outside and watch them, but never seem to look up from my screen, which is a pity. I should allow some time to go out - or at least to the window - and watch. I took a day off from writing yesterday to spend time with my eldest daughter, who lives away from home now, and it was good for my brain, which is refreshed and raring to write again today.
My daughter finds music really helpful for creativity. At the moment she is especially enjoying The Piano Guys and has produced some lovely short fiction while listening to them.
Best of luck with your creative projects this month. Enjoy those lovely, dark and rainy nights! x
Thanks Joanna! It's definitely important to have time away from the desk and the Winter sunrises and sunsets on clear frosty days are probably my favourite aspect of the season! Thanks for sharing your daughter's music inspiration -I'll need to have a listen to The Piano Guys! It's great to hear that she also writes x
ReplyDeleteI love your doodle Vikki - so much in there and I love the idea of doing something creative each day, no matter how small. I try to practice that each day and it really helps to make you feel productive and keep the inspiration flowing.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly no vampire, but I do love autumn. The gloomy, wet days we've had recently however have not been so inspiring...
A lovely scented candle or an incense burner helps me to get in the mood for writing or creating by switching up the energy with scent. Good luck with all your creativity and writing, and don't be too harsh on yourself with the deadlines and targets - 4000 words that you would be really happy with in one day is quite steep! xx
Thanks Rebecca. I did a bit of writing in my observation journal last night and I realised how much I've missed doing that! I think it helps to keep me sane. I love burning scented candles too - that's another good thing about Winter actually - burning candles on a hot summers day always seems a bit wrong :) x
DeleteLove the doodle picture! As you know I love autumn/winter - even the dark days and nights, but I don't have to go out early like you. Have fun with the creativity - you might surprise yourself with inspiration in this season.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mum. I can see the pluses on dark nights when you don't need to venture out but the mornings are the worst (especially when it's raining!) I'm looking forward to my Christmas holidays for some proper indoor writing time
DeleteI prefer the lighter months, but I do tend to write more in the winter, so this season has at least one good point.
ReplyDeleteAlways a plus Patsy if it makes you write more. Good luck with your projects
DeleteI long to be as artistic and talented in writing as you are.. My photos are no where near your quality. So inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind comment, Lara. I've just had a look at your blog (great name, haha!), and your photos are very beautiful! Keep writing
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