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| The scenery around our new home is certainly inspiring! |
Moving house
and writing are two things which, in my opinion, do NOT go together. Moving
takes up not only time but emotional energy (all those decisions to makes,
potential problems to worry over). And if you are low on emotional energy it is
very difficult to write – for me at least.
In September husband and I moved from a largish farm in South West
Scotland, where we had lived for over 20 years, to a much smaller house in the
middle of a village in the Scottish Highlands.
So it was a change of house type as well as a change of location. It
was hard work. But now it’s over I find that I am, if anything, writing more
freely than ever. Was it the break? The feeling of a new start? I don’t know,
but I’m certainly not complaining!
And this got me to thinking about the way life influences how, when and
what we write, whether consciously or sub-consciously. A chance re-reading of a
decades-old letter can spark a string of ideas, as can a visit to another
country or merely an over-heard conversation. A family tragedy or upheaval can
send all ideas out of one’s head. They may return or they may not, depending (possibly)
on how good the ideas were or (probably) on a chance event that reawakens them.
How about you? Can you write no matter what is happening around you or
to you? Do you manage to remember all your good ideas? I’d love to know.
Funnily enough, Gill, the thing that stops me writing (though not thinking) is a holiday! I tend to write in stressful situations as a way of switching off.
ReplyDeleteThat's really interesting. I'll have to tell my subconscious to remember that when I am stressed :)
DeleteI could certainly not write while I was moving house! But then, as I haven't moved for more than 30 years, you can imagine how stressful the whole thing would be. I've just had my spare room redecorated, so now I'm going through my books (which live in there) and being ruthless. But there's so much to go to the charity shop - and that's just one room!
ReplyDeleteNo, I like to have a clear head and clear space to write - and to sit down and think about it in peace and quiet (although ideas do often come when I'm walking).
So glad you are finding writing flows in your new home - and it does look very beautiful!
Thanks Jenny. Having had to clear out more than one spare room I think it is a) good for the soul and b) very hard work. But I too prefer writing in peace and quiet.
DeleteI can't imagine writing while in the midst of moving. When I moved in to dad's house to look after him when he had dementia I couldn't write, other than keeping my daily diary. It took quite a while after moving back home to get writing again.
ReplyDeleteGlad your writing is going well.
Thanks Mary. I think looking after your dad was even harder work than moving house so well done for even managing the diary
DeleteOh, moving house is a stressful time. I could not write at home when we moved, but I wrote on my smart phone. I'm banned from writing when we are on holidays!! My husband and children tell me it is a time to relax and have fun, as if writing is not fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for you - moving home, settling in and getting into writing gear. Best wishes.
Many thanks Stella. Interested to hear you can write on your smartphone. Maybe that's the skill I need to develop!
DeleteCould it be that writing is a constant for you at a time of change? I've written through some pretty stressful times but am aware it's probably saved my sanity a few times!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you and Jennifer have a similar approach to writing Linda. Interesting how different we all are!
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