Sometimes picture yourself high up in the mountains in a cabin pounding away at the great American novel on a typewriter? Or perhaps you see yourself lounging in a remote beach community in the tropics while you pen your memoirs by hand. If so, you've probably got summer retreat fever...something that I think most authors catch at some point during the warm season.
With the advent of summer it's hard to sit inside a stuffy office, school room, or even your house while the natural world seems to delight in its own glorious existence. I sometimes like to visit a family country house or spend time down the coast where it's warm by the beach, but other times I just enjoy getting inspiration in my summer garden right at home. I suppose the key ingredient is...do whatever keeps you writing.
But everyone finds their happy summer retreat writing place in different locations. Where do you like to go this time of year for inspiration, peace, solace, and a nice quiet zone to work? Do you prefer a mountain retreat, a tropical getaway, or perhaps you like the big urban sprawl?
Hello Mark:
ReplyDeleteIf, and when, that first novel [a candidate surely for the Man Booker prize] is written, or the first collection of poetry, then most likely we should choose some remote coastal region of the British Isles, a little like Dylan Thomas in his hut in Wales, where we could, in moments of writer's block, seek inspiration from walks along the shore, from discovering caves, or simply looking for crabs in rock pools. And the sun will always be shining and not a day tripper in sight!
Summer is actually a bit of a writing hiatus for me. Since both my kidlets are now in school full time, it's much easier for me to write during the school year when I have the house to myself all day. However, I would LOVE to have a little cottage on a beach somewhere...quiet, remote, and gorgeous. Though, I might spend more time baking in the sun and surf than writing LOL
ReplyDeleteOoo actually, I've always wanted a turret in some castle somewhere. Now THAT would be great for inspiration :)
There is a hotel on the Oregon coast where all the bedrooms are named for English writers. There are no tvs or distractions in the rooms. The hotel features a library and welcomes all readers or writers to come and find inspiration there. Sounds perfect to me!
ReplyDeleteI've written all of my stories at my kitchen table.
ReplyDeleteIt may be time to break out of a groove ...
my back porch with it's combination of shade and heat. the energy and the scents. sounds of the lake. it all wraps up into perfection for me.
ReplyDeleteJane/Lance - Ooh, yeah, Dylan Thomas is a good one to go with. I especially wouldn't mind perusing Wales for inspiration, good tip;)
ReplyDeleteMichelle - Well, I think you've got a good point there about writing with kids around, and truthfully I'll admit that sometimes Winter can be equally inspiring compared with summer. I guess just oranges and apples:)
Stacy - Sounds like an awesome hotel! Any place with a good library and appreciation for good writers sounds very inspirational to me!
Suze - I guess it depends what you see from your kitchen table;)
CLB - Porches and often underrated I find, and a lake to boot...it sounds like you've got it all in hand already:)
It's currently winter for me here in Oz so I tend to retreat to the couch and open the windows to let the winter sun in. Today it's overcast so I'm freezing to death in my office... and yearning for a tropical location.
ReplyDeleteYikes Lynda, does sound a bit chilly. Perhaps a little vacation then? There must be somewhere within striking distance you could warm up for a weekend:)
ReplyDeleteA cabin in the mountains is perfect for a relaxing vacation in the middle of amazing nature - that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe summer is here! I wish to everybody an excellent vacation! Did you decide which will be you destination this summer?
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