Write From Creative Places #IWSG #AMWRITING
[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here
Thank you to our awesome co-hosts this month: PaJenni Enzor, Beth Camp, Liesbet, Tyrean Martinson, and Sandra Cox!
Check out our IWSG homepage for recent news and events. And as always, thank you to founder Alex J. Cavaugh 🙂
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One of my very favorite creative writing assignments back in college challenged me to come up with a free write creative piece. The class was assigned to think nothing, to take a walk, and let the world lead our string of thoughts. We were to piece them together and form a complete short story grounded in nature.
I couldn’t remember the last time I let nature take my mind for a walk. Elementary school at least. Back then as a young girl who loved nature, I spent most of my time walking through the woods, climbing trees and letting the wind and the world lead me instead of a carefully planned out course.
Today, I’m thinking about our minds as powerful forces in both defeat and victory. I’m thinking about how many times I faced both directions on the path to write and how many times I’ve found myself doubting whether I could ever turn out a full novel or not.
Today, I’m also cheering for you to find that field of grass and to become lost on that windy sidewalk in the woods with only the breeze tugging at your shirtsleeves, and you trusting that pull.
Today, I feeling more hope than doubt. Today, now more than ever, I’m hoping you feel that hope too.
Happy IWSG day. And never forget:
“Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posted on July 1, 2020, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 19 Comments.
Cloud Nine Girl 
I love going outside for inspiration. The wind, the elements surrounded by nature is the best way to get a scene in your head or a feel for your characters!
I agree! Thank you for stopping in today 🙂
We’ve turned out back yard into an oasis and it’s now a great way to connect with nature. As a kid, I was always outside playing in the trees, grass, and dirt. Mostly dirt!
OUR not out. LOL
Love going for a walk or run to get the mind going. I am curious, did you take notes while you were walking for the assignment or did you just freewrite when you returned?
I take walks every day and enjoy seeing the nature. Can’t let the mind wander too much or it might not come back…
Getting lost in nature is so freeing. It really can open our minds.
I love to walk and try to every day. Glad you’re feeling hopeful. Hope your writing is going well.
Nature inspires me too. And I’ve found it’s really important for me to have “thinking time” to create. Walks are good for that too.
Very encouraging post! Happy ISWG!
I love that idea–let your mind walk you through nature. I can see that.
I love the idea of going where the wind wends through the woods. I find walks do really help my writing, even if they are slow ones (maybe especially when they are slow ones).
I think you can write a novel, but have you ever thought of writing a novella, or breaking a novel into five-seven distinct segments (short books within a larger book)? It might help.
I realized just this year that I’m struggling with anything longer than 30,000 words. I’ve written novels in the 63,000-72,000 word range before, but for some reason, right now, I am struggling with that kind of lengthy project. So, I decided to accept it instead of fight it and work within shorter lengths by creating a series of novella. It’s working better for me.
So, again, I think you can write a novel, but if you need to write it in pieces, does that matter?
I really appreciate your reflection Tyrean. I will have to give some thought to the novella. I hadn’t thought about how it works but it does sound doable and fun. I hope you are well 🙂
I don’t think I ever had nature inspiring my writing. I’m an urban creature, interested in people and man-made things. Architecture, art, literature – yes, they all inspired my stories time and again, but nature? I don’t remember even one of my stories based on my nature experience. Maybe I’m missing something…
That was quite a creative exercise. I’d like to try it and see what I come up with.
I think you should Lee 🙂
Nature has always inspired me. As a kid, it was either the beach or the bush. These days, as I live in the country, I go for a walk whenever I can. I enjoy the silence and being one with nature.
I’ve used walking as a tool for inspiration for years. Now that we live here in the Smoky Mountains the trails and greenways are endless. Thanks for sharing and reminding me to get out in the sun today. 🙂
You’re most welcome. It was a lovely memory 🙂
I love that Rumi quote.
Nature is such a therapeutic force.
Hope you’re well, Erika. Stay safe.