Thursday, August 20, 2009

Change of Scenery

This is what I'm looking at right now. It's a scene that couldn't be more removed from my regular view of the world at home. There is perfect quiet except for the birds' morning chatter and the last few spurts of the coffee pot indicating a full container awaits my mug.

I don't get to escape here very often, but when I do, I feel a recharging of body, mind, soul and creativity. I've read a whole book and am halfway through Anne Rice's Called Out of Darkness. Now my manuscript is spread out on the table below this window view awaiting my full attention. (I've asked its forgiveness for the past many months' neglect.)

And you? Where do you go to flee your routine/rut? If you're a writer, how important do you think a change of scenery is to your writing? If there was a writer's retreat within an hour of your home and it offered short term sanctuary for little or no cost, would you avail yourself of it, and what would you want awaiting you there?

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

You escaped without me? I took you along on my beach escape... :( Love Ya' Anyone, Trudy

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

looks like a beautiful place to escape to!just checked out the rose and thorn...very professional ezine! very nice. :)

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Angie, I had a similar wonderful view last week, but I was with my family so I couldn't write. But I would love to have the opportunity to go back alone sometime and do just that, write in the tranquility of it all!

Stacy Post said...

I love to escape to remote locations in search of solitude and a reprieve from daily noise. Last year, I was able to complete a manuscript lakeside. (In a non-touristy area) This year, I was lucky to return but the writing mojo was spent. However, the rest of my batteries were recharged and I'm back in the saddle again!

Angie Ledbetter said...

LOL Trudy. I knew you had to work. Do you get a long weekend for Labor Day? Love ya

Thank you Jeannie! We're working hard to revamp things, so hope you'll visit again in the future.

Eileen - you need to plan a singular escape so you can have something to look forward to. :)

Go Stacy! Have I said lately how much I enjoy your blog with the musical selections mirroring the posts?

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

The beach, always the beach. That's where I feel the most alive, the most like myself. It's where I'm "meant" to be. Enjoy your relaxing time, Angie. Hugs to you.;-)

Lynnette Labelle said...

Beautiful. If I had the chance, I'd be off to a retreat in a minute, but as a stay-at-home mom, I won't have that opportunity. At least not until the kids are in school, then... maybe... hehehe

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Debbie said...

I love my rut! I'm supposed to flee it?
A trip at least once a year with the whole family recharges me.

Regina said...

I really like to write at home- I just close myself off in my little room- and fortunately, I have my own room, with all my poetry books and things that are special to me. I have a very hard time writing while away- it's probably a hindrance in becoming a better writer, but it works for me now...
:)
And the picture looks lovely- if not a bit steamy!
;)
xo

Rosaria Williams said...

We do need a place to recharge; places, in fact, that begin the unwinding, the stopped up imagination and intuition.

I'm in a good place physically; but a change is still a good thing.

Would you believe that I get supercharged when I visit Walmart? I sit at the entrance of the store why my hubby stands at the checkout stand and I use my phone to take pictures of different "characters". I can write all kinds of traits right then and there. Sometimes, if someone sits by me and starts talking, I get the dialogue down as well.

Pseudo said...

I could write there. I would love to have a retreat.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Thanks Schube. Love the beach too (with small stays in the sun)!

Lynnette - I promise you it gets better as they age. (Not quite like fine wine...but easier for Momma to escape without fallout ensuing.) :)

Debbie my friend, I'm afeared you're in need of deep deep therapy. hehe

I'm glad you have an at-home oasis, Red Bird. And, yeah, pic looks steamy b/c I took it from inside the sunporch.

lakeviewer - I'm a people/conversation observer too. So much rich fodder just waiting to be captured!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Pseud - When my kidlets were young (6, 7, 8-ish), I'd plan a B&B trip away (but nearby) with friends just to have something to look forward to. Essential to Mom's sanity!

Ami said...

Love this view! I'd say that the two biggest creativity-inspiring places are big cities and small towns. Anyplace where I can be in nature, listening to the sounds of rustling leaves and birds chirping is pretty inspiring for me, too. I'd love to be near a cheap or free artists' retreat. Being around other creative people and having nothing but quiet time to write is so energizing!

Nancy said...

I feel I can write at home just fine. What I need is a great idea. I'm a sporadic fiction writer. A great idea gets me total dedication. Then, when it's done, I'm back to the "small stuff."

Anonymous said...

Probably anyplace without street lights and unnecessary noise. A cool breeze through the tent helps too. Bacon on the breeze in the morning.
Oren

Angie Ledbetter said...

I agree with ya Ami!

Ditto, Oren! It's been too long since I really camped out in the wilds.

Anonymous said...

This is not fair...if we have to suffer til the weekend then you should too. LOL - Just kidding. You deserve the break and a moment to relax. I will not mention anything about a dusty WIP but I think you will be taking care of that soon enough. Have fun.

Carol Murdock said...

Hey, Cuz! Shame on you for not taking your kin to that precious oasis!!
I don't need to escape to write BUT I do sometimes have to escape to get really motivated to write. For me it's the Appalachian Mountains! Fills my tank up! :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

LOL Brian. I blew the dust off the WIP and am getting reacquainted nicely, thanks. :)

Carol - I hear ya! I bet you're just about ready for a break, what with all that pickin' and cannin' going on.

Melissa Amateis said...

Oh boy. If I had a writer's retreat only an hour away, you bet I'd go! I need one of those. Soon, when I get my vacation time back...

I go home, back to the family farm, to re-center myself. It grounds me back in reality, renews my sense in so many things, and makes me really appreciate the value of family.

Carrie Wilson Link said...

You just described, and pictured, HEAVEN!

Diane J. said...

Wow, what a peaceful spot. Just looking at the picture calms my nerves.

If there were a writer's sanctuary nearby for little or no cost, they may not be able to get rid of me. =)

What would I like to see awaiting me? A small cabin of one bedroom, kitchen, living room, and bath. A view like you just posted would be superb! I would like it set way up a winding mountain road away from all the hubbub. For winter add a fireplace and snow and I'd be in a state of unbelievable bliss.

Kathryn Magendie said...

Fortunately for me, my retreat and sanctuary is right here in my little log house in the mountains with the quiet and the creek and critters; although I do love your lake retreat! I can smell the coffee, and the river, and can see myself sitting there working beside you....

Marguerite said...

Definitely the swamp, so peaceful and beautiful. As long as I don't go to Whiskey River. he he Glad you got to escape the rat race and good luck with the writing.

Jessica Nelson said...

Very nice. I'm glad you got to escape. :-) I used to love sitting somewhere picturesque. Now though, just getting into a good book while everyone is asleep helps me escape. Enjoy yours! I've heard she's an excellent writer.

Terri Tiffany said...

I want to be there! But are there still alligators in that body of water?
SO glad you have gotten away from your busy life. I know you do so much and need this time. Hope you get lots and lots of edits done!

Lynnette Labelle said...

Hey, girl. Do you like puzzles? Check out the giraffes on my blog.

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

Deb Shucka said...

I just returned from three days in a cabin on the Puget Sound with two friends - one of whom is a writer. While we did no actual writing, the time, the rustic simplicity (we slept on the porch), and the ocean energy all helped to clear my fog. Now I'm ready to buckle down.

I'm so glad you got away. It seems like your life is beyond full all of the time.

I think one of the most important elements of a good writers' sanctuary is comfortable seating from which to work. Also good places to walk for head-clearing. Water is great. Silence. And someone to share with.

Hilary said...

I'm glad you're getting some fine time away... enjoy. :)

kimmi said...

Ahh, so nice!! I like to switch up my scenery for my writing, it helps!
x00x0
lovely weekend to you, Angie!!

Unknown said...

OMG, a change of venue always gives me so much more to write about. Since I write mostly about my life living in a travel trailer, when I ain't traveling, the writing gets to be monotonous!

Labels (Posts, not Peoples)

Powered By Blogger