PJ Scribbans Author

As a writer, I frequently find myself engrossed in the realm of words, anchored to the comforting boundaries of my home office, my bed, the sofa, or my beloved garden shed (well, it’s more than just a shed, but that’s how we refer to it).

The familiarity of a comfortable space can provide solace, but it ‘could’ also stifle creativity. What! I hear you say. Let me explain. Recently, I had a revelation about the transformative power of altering my writing environment. This wasn’t a new lesson, but one I had to relearn. The epiphany occurred during a simple experience: a visit to a local coffee shop with my laptop while I waited for an appointment. Little did I know that this insignificant change would unlock a plethora of creative inspiration and innovation. Writing in a coffee shop, with its distinct ambiance and background buzz of conversation, made me realise that a change of scenery can revolutionise my writing process.

This realisation has inspired me to explore how changing your writing environment can bring new inspiration to your creative journey. In this blog post, we will delve into the impact of changing your surroundings from time to time, with a few examples from my own life. And how it can change your perspective on your current work in progress; essentially giving you a new set of eyes to examine your manuscript with.

Inspiration from Nature

Nature has always been a rich source of inspiration for writers, including myself. I have often found solace and creativity while writing amidst mountains and forests. Whether or not we like it, nature is our origin, and I firmly believe in its healing power and the inspiration it can bring. However, not everyone has easy access to nature.

For some, nature may be out of reach, and for others, it may not be practical. But fear not! Simply close your eyes and ask your smart speaker or phone to play the soothing sounds of nature. Let the melodies of a rainforest or the gentle flow of a stream fill the background, allowing your imagination to roam. This auditory immersion can transport you to new creative realms without ever leaving the comfort of your writing space.

Urban Exploration (aka Coffee Shop)

Urban environments can offer just as much inspiration, and a great example of this is the coffee shop where I had my “a-ha” moment. The lively atmosphere and the scent of freshly brewed coffee can shift your creativity to a whole new perspective. If you’re anything like me, you struggle with distractions, but going to a coffee shop now and then isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Allow yourself to fully immerse in the ambiance, observe people, and create stories in your mind, using them as writing prompts. Are they reminiscent of the characters in your current writing project? Can you borrow physical descriptions from them?

You may not be as fully engrossed in your work as you would be in your usual writing environment, but it could give you a fresh perspective, almost like seeing through a new pair of eyes.

Travel

I have written a blog post about this, but I want to emphasize how writing while traveling or on vacation can be incredibly enlightening. It all comes down to the change in environment and the resulting shift in perception. When you approach your work in progress from a different perspective and angle, it can bring fresh insights. Having a new set of eyes, even if they are your own, is always beneficial. Depending on the type of vacation, I typically set aside a few hours each day for writing. If I’m on a poolside vacation, it’s easy to combine writing with reading while getting a tan.

One thing I’ve always wanted to do is book a week-long getaway in a remote cabin in the wilderness just to write. It’s like living out the cliché of “Cabin in the Woods.” Perhaps one day I’ll make that happen. Have you done this? Comment below.

The Magic of Music

While changing your physical environment can be a powerful catalyst for creativity, music offers an alternative means to alter your perception of your surroundings. The right music possesses the ability to transport your mind to entirely different realms. Whether it be the ethereal melodies of classical symphonies or the vibrant beats of electronic music, music holds the potential to impact your mood, mindset, and imagination. By handpicking the tunes to accompany your writing, you discover that even your everyday surroundings can gain a whole new depth.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a die-hard music enthusiast, but in certain circumstances, having background music can be quite inspiring, just as long as it’s not too loud. My taste in music varies wildly and I don’t adhere to a specific genre or band. Simply put, if I enjoy it, I’ll add it to my playlist. However, I must admit that I find classical movie music to be inspiring when I write.

My current writing playlist includes anything from classical to pop and heavy metal. For example, here is a selection:

• Star Waves by M8, Anthony Gonzalez, and Joseph Trapanese (Oblivion movie)
• Praying by Rupert Gregson-Williams (Hacksaw Ridge movie)
• Saturn by Sleeping at Last
• October by Adrian Berenguer
• Time by Hans Zimmer (Inception movie)
• The Gift of Mortality by James Horner
• Star Trek – Subspace Rhapsody by various artists (aka Star Trek the musical)
• Bring Me to Lift by Evanescence
• Run by Snow Patrol

The last two songs on the list, ‘Bring me to Life’ and ‘Run’, hold a special significance for me. Many years ago, during my daily commutes to work, these two tracks would frequently appear on my playlist. Whenever I listen to music that resonates with me, my mind conjures up random stories that align with the melodies. Over time, after countless repetitions, these songs actually became the catalyst for the idea behind the book series I am currently working on. The power of the music influenced my perception and thought processes, ultimately leading me to create something unique. If you’re interested, be sure to keep an eye on my website for upcoming release dates.

Conclusion

Changing your writing environment, whether it’s physically moving or shifting your mindset, can open up new levels of creativity and breathe new life into your writing process. It breaks you free from the monotony of routine and offers a fresh wellspring of inspiration, perspective, and energy for your work. So, try out these techniques and allow the world, both tangible and auditory, to become an integral part of your creative journey. Your next masterpiece could be just a change of scenery or a musical note away.

If you are like me and you find yourself in a coffee shop, why not complete the experience with a treat and buy yourself a cake.

Please comment if you have your own way of escaping your usual environment to write.

– Scrib