There are so many places to get inspiration and it seems like it varies for everyone but damnit, I’m going to write about it anyway. Today’s Blogger, May I prompt is who/what inspires you. Here are my five favorite places to get inspiration.
Coffee shops
Okay, is this a surprise to anyone? Seriously, answer truthfully. I love being in coffee shops and hearing the people passing by, the espresso machine whirring, change being made, and just the general hum of the environment. It’s so soothing to me. It’s the perfect background noise to use when writing. If I can’t get to a coffee shop, I like the Coffitivity app which mimics the sound of a coffee shop.
Museums
Anywhere artsy really should get lumped in here. I always get inspired by being around other people who were inspired. I’m a huge fan of the fun cultural things that are in Pittsburgh like the museums, the National Aviary, Phipps Conservatory, even some of the older neighborhoods in Pittsburgh are just works of architectural dreams and so beautiful.
Malls
Malls seem weird to appear here, what I’m really going for here is “place to people watch.” I always end up seeing or experiencing something that needs to be recorded (aka: written and published on the internet until the end of time). I’ve also gotten inspiration at gatherings (albeit a little buzzed), sporting events, restaurants, etc.
Side note: buzzed is also a good way to induce inspiration – write drunk, edit sober..y’know?
Outside
I always get the best ideas and (more importantly) the right wording when I’m running. It also happens when I’m in the garden – what else is there to do but think? The only challenge here is that here isn’t always something readily available to write down what you’re thinking. Sooo many times, I’d have something beautifully phrased outside and then when I get home and can write it down it’s lost. Ah creativity, you’re sometimes an elusive beast.
When I’m not thinking about something
Does this happen to anyone else: you focus on one thing so intently and you just can’t resolve it in your head. And then you get started on another task, usually something mindless, and the solution to the initial problem just appears. I always get a nice little hit of inspiration when I change gears and focus on something else.
Its also great to know when you’re most creative/productive or inspired. The girls from Clarity on Fire recently wrote an interesting blog post about finding your “work flow” aka: when you’re the most inspired and ready to work. It’s kind of cool! I’m totally a morning person – my best ideas come in the morning – but sometimes I can ride on a second wave in the evening.
Where do you find your inspiration? I want to see if I can expand my horizons!
