Creative Spaces
What do I need before I can write? Ideally, I need not to be drained from my day job. Often I really have to push myself to write, even if I don’t feel like it. Sometimes a glass of wine will get me in the zone, but other times I just end up in a gloriously deep nap.
My creativity is triggered by color, scent, and the overall vibe of my writing space. This vibe has to do with making an imaginative connection with eras gone by. I have a few time periods that I’m drawn to, which include Renaissance and Victorian England. 1920s America is fascinating to me as well. I tend to like artists like Waterhouse, who capture this feel. It is easy for me to be transported back in time or just to be inspired by the energy of my favorite second hand antique furniture and fabrics.
I love to surround myself with velvet drapery and artwork with rich colors such as reds and golds. My favorite place to sit is on my down feather stuffed mint green velvet couch. I also enjoy having old prints of angels, Madonnas, and Greek mythology strategically hung on the walls with gilded frames and dramatic matting.
Then, there are always the scented candles (preferably vanilla, sage, or sandalwood aromas), incense, and gentle lighting coming from dainty ornate lamps. Of course it also helps to keep the clutter at bay, so I find myself having to keep on top of junk mail, dishes piling in the sink, and laundry that needs to be folded, as well as any minor disasters that have been created by the cats. I find that it is impossible to ignore these things, as it disturbs the creative energy.
An added bonus is when one of the cats decides to cuddle up while I’m typing away at my laptop. It’s like he’s there for moral and creative support, and a bit of warmth. The last touch is that there is always something on like the television or some uplifting music. It’s probably a throw back to my days of studying in high school and college. My brain is used to some background noise.
I also need to get out into a different atmosphere every once in awhile. That entails going to a local pub or to a coffee shop with my laptop. The only downside is sometimes I get distracted by conversation. It helps to go somewhere no one knows me.
If I’m really lucky, I manage to write on vacation while in Europe. Right now I’m working on a novel set in Renaissance England and I’ll be spending a couple of days in London over my spring break. I would love to make it back during the summer so I could write on location, if you will. When unable to travel, I’ll look at my Shakespeare bust and ask him to send me some writing mojo.
In between finding time to work on the next novel, I’ve been whipping up some blog posts to keep myself writing. My latest mantra: “I will write a blog post this week.” I figure if I can’t manage to write in large chunks right now, a blog post is still keeping the creativity flowing. I also hope that it amuses readers to boot.
Bio: Theresa Braun was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and has carried some of that hardiness with her to South Florida where she currently resides. An English teacher and adjunct college professor for over thirteen years, she continues to share her enthusiasm for literary arts and writing with her students. In her spare time, she enjoys delving into her own creative writing, painting, photography and even bouts of ghost hunting. Perhaps growing up in a haunted house in Winona, Minnesota is to blame. Traveling as often as possible is one of her passions. In fact, her world meanderings are often backdrops for her work. She has started to blog about her online dating experience and some of her everyday adventures. Visit Theresa’s website at: http://www.theresabraun.com