Before we get to my Friday blog, I have two candy suggestions for all of my friends: Hershey’s cherry cordial kisses, and Andes mints in the Red Valentine wrappers. YUM! I have a half-empty bowl to attest to their deliciousness. And I caught hubby with a handful yesterday….
A storm blew through yesterday around midmorning, and I was without electricity for a couple of hours. The lights blinked several times, and then nadda. The sound of silence became surreal after a few moments, and then an unexpected luxuary. I’d gotten up early do some writing, and was enjoying a small reprieve. The gray sky outside did little to illuminate my cabin walls. I thought what the heck, and decided to take a shower since hot water suddenly became a major priority.
I lit some candles when I got out, and arranged things for more writing. My handy NEO would see me through the storm, and I’d probably get more work done. The lights flickered back on, and I was a little disappointed my adventure had ended. So, after commenting on Michelle’s Wednesday blog I got offline, muted the lights again, turned off all the noise makers, and dipped into quietude. The sound of silence is very beautiful and powerful. There was a time I wrote with a house full of kids, and the family dog barking. Wierd how things change over the years!
So, for this Valentine’s week I reconnected to the beauty of natural sounds; the wind and rain outside, and the stillness cocooned around me. I have more quiet time these days, but I never realized how much background noise can interfere with that perfect space. And in the silence, the words flowed free and I was sailing again.
I’m curious, what writing discoveries have you made lately? And I want to wish all of you a glorious Valentine’s Day! Love is to be celebrated!
A good setting certainly helps me, but it does bring to mind something Louis L’Amour once said. He was prolific in producing his authentic, scenic westerns. Anyway, if I remember correctly, L’Amour said he could do the same work sitting in the middle of Hollywood Boulevard with a typewriter in his lap as as he could in the idyllic ‘authorly’ setting. So, whenever I contemplate finding a serene spot, I always get this image of myself sitting hunched over my laptop in the middle of Preston Road (a busy street here in Dallas) with cars zipping by. I do think I prefer the setting in your post.
I discovered that Feng Shui works. I rearranged my office in accordance with some F.S. guidelines I found on the Internet. Damn if they weren’t right on.
If anyone reading this has found their energy not flowing well, I highly recommend getting into the F.S. mood.
Hey D.A., love the L’Amour quote! Thanks for sharing. And I’ll try the image myself and see what happens. Probably make me appreciate my “quietude” even more.
Hey Kathy, I took a F.S. class and my office has been in this arrangement for quite a while now. My little clutter spots have grown, though, and that’s so not Feng Shuiy. I agree, though, there’s something about directions that totally makes sense. I’m a believer!
LaDonna,
Two years ago I redid my office and now I hate to leave it–even when it’s messy. I generally will have a scented candle going and soft music, usually Celtic themed, going in the background. I can’t write with sung music though I love it. I want to start singing instead of writing, which isn’t good.
Good post.
Isn’t it amazing how wonderful it is to write in complete silence and how much you get done? That’s what I loved about writing at 1:00 in the morning. Other than an occasional car going by, there was no noise whatsoever. (We won’t even mention the cat).
Getting up to write at 4:00 or 5:00 is a close second as far as I’m concerned. Listening to the early morning birds is wonderful.
Have a lovely Valentine’s Day, LaD
Mary Jo, I love Celtic music and candles too. And I love my Ipod, but like you I get a little off-track when I want to sing along and dance instead of write.
I love my office, but it needs a little attention on my part to make it less cluttered I think.
Liz, I was definitely reminded of the early morning lure this week! And I love bird sounds. We have one that visits my porch and deck and I swear it chirps my name. The grandkids call it my Mimi bird, since that’s the sound it makes. We love that ol’ bird!
You have a great Valentine’s Day too!
I used to write on the kitchen table, with my husband and son walking in and out during commercials. I had no problem stopping to talk to them in mid sentence and going back to finish the sentence. Not any more. I’m used to writing in my office, with just the hum of my computer. And sometimes the hum of my cat.
I’m sure if I had to go back to the kitchen table, I’d get used to it again.
Edie, there’s something about the kitchen table! I think most writers have spent some serious time there. We’ve discussed this before, but the ol’ production was higher in the midst of all the chaos too.
I do like the trade-off, though.
my writing related discovery is i need to get out of my house more often. i had fallen into a rut. so i’m working on it! and hopefully the creative juices will begin to flow again.
Happy Heart Day, goils!!
Hey Karin, happy Heart Day to you too! And I think we can all identify with that one. This time of year is ideal for the ol’ rut feeling. With spring and summer around the bend, I’m looking forward to some major fresh air and sunshine.
I’ve discovered the power of writing by candlelight. The flames help to take me back in time. In the daylight, I like a window nearby so I can see trees and sky.
I agree with you about the music, MJ. No vocals or I’m lost in some romping chorus. I like soundtracks from movies like Last of the Mohicans, Gettysburg, Rob Roy, Lord of the Rings, and other big dramas. Historical (real or not).
Having the scent of spring in the air helps, even if I know there’s still some snow ahead.
Deb, love the candlelight too! Nothing like the smell of spring either.
Oooh, I loved Last of the Mohicans. I’ll have to watch it again.
LaD, happy Valentine’s day to you, too!
I have recently been moving all over my house. I write in my bedroom, in the small lounge next to my study, on the couch in the family room while my son watches The Incredibles for the 100th time. Anywhere but in my study, LOL. It is working for me. I’m getting more words on the page. I think like Karin I was in a rut, and moving around helps me get out of it.
Hey Michelle, I’m doing the move-around too!
I usually take my laptop to bed in the a.m. Then, I move to the sofa, finally making my way into the office! My muscles get sore sitting at a desk for long periods of time. At least by moving around, I can avoid that.
Hey LaD,
I definitely need some quietude. I’ve got blog posts lined up through Tuesday but then I’m going to be AFK until next Saturday.
I’m suffering from online communications overload to that annoying point where you sit and re-evaluate every potentially annoying or stupid thing you’ve said and what people think about it, and I “hate” when I’m in that place.
That’s a clear sign I’ve lost perspective of reality, the universe,and the fact that I’m not the center of it (thank God!)
Hey Zoe! You’re as busy as Edie on those guest blogs, girl!
And I know what you ya mean on the overload. I’ve learned to balance the online time, I think. You notice I said think. It can be a monster on the time suck if you let it. Hopefully, I can maintain.
And so happy I was one of the winners of your book! Really exciting.