A reminder from JoshyWashington not to leave your writing / recording gear at home and to place yourself in whatever environment is most productive.
Photo : Patrick Ng
STEPPING OUT to shoot the latest MatadorTV vlog I realize just how important it is to have my creative tools readily available.
It sounds simple, and it is, but it takes discipline. If I step out to go on a ride or a walk, I know if I don’t bring my camera there will likely be something I want to film (the guy doing back flips for a dollar). If I forget my notebook and pencil, I will be struck with some phrase or inspired idea with nothing but my leaky-bucket of a brain to contain it.
Besides being prepared there’s also a way of going through your day as an opportunist, basically being open to and allowing yourself to physically be present where your creative “sparks” usually occur. I find them outside, under rocks, in bars and graveyards, and on my mountain bike.
Being prepared and being inspired are two totally different things. But preparing to be inspired can leave you at the right place and the right moment, when the light is perfect or some heartbreaking truth is unfolding across the street.
Being a creative opportunist is simple. Remember:
BRING THE TOOLS.
A small camera, a paper and pencil at the very least. A sketch pad, harmonica, your favorite book, journal, guitar, water colors and a laptop is even better.
GO WHERE YOU ARE INSPIRED.
For me this week it was Mrtyle Edwards park, with all its crabs and yawning views of the Olympics. Next week it could be some old smelling coffee shop. The point is plant myself where I can marvel, where I can come out of my head and watch, prepared for inspiration.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
What environments stoke your creative fire? What do you carry with you; a notebook, laptop, a camera? How do you prepare yourself to be inspired?
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6 Comments... join the discussion!
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So true! Though, I tend to compose best when I’m walking and I have yet to perfect walking and writing at the same time.
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I always have my Panasonic Lumix tucked away in my purse and pens to quickly jot down observations and thoughts.
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I love this idea because I usually get ideas for writing while I am out walking around or doing something mundane. Even I plan an outing, moments to myself give some good perspective.
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I really like bringing my notebook and camera everywhere because I love to preserve the fine things that my memory surely will not. Sometimes, I’ll even text myself messages when writing is not convenient.
However, it seems constricting and enslaving at times. I feel free from the confines of memory and preservation on the days that I DON’T bring my pen and implicitly give myself permission to forget.
I may miss a sunset or the spark of a good short-story but I move on and chose not to worry; inspiration will come again.↵ -
I don’t go anywhere without my dictaphone (or digital voice recorder, as they’re now known). I record my thoughts, a phrase I’ve just overheard, a piece of music that’s in my head, paragraphs for my diary, people’s names and numbers, my shopping list… basically anything that I want documented. Then when I get home, I write those things down, or file them for future reference. Aside from my digital camera, it’s one of the best things I ever bought.
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