This month we’re discussing what keeps us busy outside of writing, and, perhaps even more interesting, do we gain inspiration from that activity, or is it just a distraction…
Robin Lythgoe
Author of As the Crow Flies
My writing desk follows me everywhere. Virtually, anyway. Overheard conversations make good fodder for dialogue. A turn of phrase from a television show or movie often suggests an entire scene or plot point. I realized during a discussion about some people in my life that one of them in particular would make a fantastic model for a character. (No, I will not say whether protagonist or antagonist!)
I try to jot these ideas down on my phone, but sometimes I really have to tell my desk to go to its room and give me a break. Have you ever noticed that not thinking about a thing is like a magic solution for finding an answer to it?
“Whim” has often been the instigator…
Patricia Reding
Author of Oathtaker
I used to be quite a gardener. I had a huge plot. I can’t even estimate its size. I grew berries, beans, corn, squash, melons, peas, and on and on. Admittedly, even at the best of times, I tended to lose a fair amount of my crop because I couldn’t eat it in time and wasn’t big on storing methods (although drying herbs or beans was always a hit with me). (That said, I usually had an abundance. Don’t believe me? Check the pic here of just one wheelbarrow full of tomatoes from one year.) Also, in truth, I lost some crop to overzealous weeds that would come along about the same time that I was no longer having fun.
But I don’t garden like that anymore …
Parker Broaddus
Author of A Hero’s Curse & Nightrage Rising
I don’t often get the question, “What keeps you busy?” That’s usually because I have three little boys running around and through my legs. I also work as a full time real estate agent, running my own business and managing property for myself and others. I have a master’s degree in film, but I’ve taken a step back from film production and editing to give more time to my love of writing.
And while I enjoy real estate and homes and remodeling and flipping, that isn’t necessarily where I get inspiration or rest. I don’t garden – the wonderful wood nymph I married is in charge of that department. Likewise, film and film editing is work – enjoyable work, but work nonetheless.
There are a couple of things I do that fill me up, that aren’t work, and sometimes even provide inspiration and encouragement. I love being active outdoors – sports, kayaking the Catawba River, or something similar is sure to grab my interest. But then I also enjoy just walking around the historic district of our small Southern town. These are spaces that leave time to think and meditate – or not. It’s space. Deliberate and slow. That’s the space that story needs to be born and grow.
One other thing I used to do more of in the past was play computer games. It provided room for story and gave me a sense of unhurried time. I don’t do that much anymore because three little boys like to climb on my lap, my shoulders, my back, my head, all the while begging to have a turn.
Not every enjoyable or relaxing thing is a creatively positive one. Youtube and Netflix take away from my creativity and imagination – they fill the time and space with their own stories, leaving little room for anything else. They’re good in their place (I really enjoyed the recent rendition of “Lost in Space”), but they don’t inspire me.
What about you? What fills your non-writing time? Does it inspire? Or kill creativity?
‘Tis the season for little boys! Kids take a lot of time and energy—but I’ll bet you find they give you inspiration in the most unexpected ways. This historic district of yours sounds delightful. One of these days you’ll have to post some pictures! And the river is beautiful! I always love being by the water. (I have no idea how I ended up living in the desert…)