Every second week I gather up my pencils and notebooks after breakfast and set out to find somewhere to write for the day. Preferably somewhere I’ve never been before.
“No one is immune to the impressions that impinge on the senses from the outside.” Creativity, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Could be a park, a café or terrasse, an art gallery or museum, a mall, a greenhouse…
I find working somewhere different helps spark off fresh, unexpected ideas.
The new chairs and benches on the Montreal streets this summer are attractive options too! I love the replacement of sidewalk flowers along McGill College Avenue with parsley and other herbs.
Sometimes I look up places I’ve heard about in advance, but usually I just set out and see what I come across. Montreal is a great place for that!
When I saw Chez Jose, I knew this was my spot for the day!
And the door? Norm’s door-thusiasts will be asking. What about the door?
It was hard to get a photo of the door because it was open and hidden from the front by a large flower planter and bush, and the angle inside was too tight. You might just be able to see that it’s covered in stickers! But who can complain about an open door in the summer?
Here’s the door across the street –
And a couple more kitty corner (along with a rack of Bixi bikes) –
A couple of other writers were already at work in Chez José, hunched over their lattes and notebooks. It’s small and full of crazy colours and designs – perfect!
Summer may seem an odd time to hunker down with a major writing project but my new novella really needs me. This will be my last post for a while as I’ve decided to take a break from blogging so I can dig in.
I wish you happy explorations and blogging and look forward to reconnecting when I return.
“While a complex, stimulating environment is useful for providing new insights, a more humdrum setting may be indicated for pursuing the bulk of the creative endeavor – the much longer periods of preparation that must precede the flash of insight, and the equally long periods of evaluation and elaboration that follow.” Creativity, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
*****
So many more doors from around the world to enjoy at Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors – click on the blue frog!
So nice to be able to get out and write! So many of us are glued to the keyboard
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought I was the only one scribbling away in museums who wasn’t a sketcher or painter! Never tried writing in a greenhouse, but that sounds like a lovely setting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah – maybe we’ll bump into one another some day in a museum!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 I hope so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love street murals. Enjoy your break! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knowing what you need and what needs you is quite a feat. I wish you plenty of joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the idea of working in cafés and parks, but I rarely get much down on paper in those places. I can’t keep myself from watching people, admiring décor, eyeing food on other tables and behind counters, or simply watching nature. On the other hand, I’m great at jotting notes in these places, for later use when I’m finally alone. Enjoy your writing time away from your blog. How exciting to have a novella project to work on.
LikeLike
I find it rarely works quite the same way – sometimes I’m lucky and something happens quickly but more often I have to find a way to start, e.g., trying to describe someone or something to the very last detail. But looking is fun too! And eavesdropping – even if the people are speaking a language I don’t understand! Yes, it feels so good to be working on a first draft again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chez Jose is hard to overlook. The murals are nice when passing it, but I’m glad I don’t live across the street:) We are all so different! I need to be alone when I write. My hubby complained to son that I even send him out of the room, when I do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Normally I’m a loner too when it comes to writing (not even music! telephone off!) but working somewhere different (especially if I’m developing something new) helps me look at things differently and find new angles.
LikeLike
From a painting perspective, I can see that:) But I’m probably not that advanced yet in my writing:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the other way round! Just taken my first drawing course…
LikeLike
Haha, we should keep in contact, to reassure each other!
LikeLike
Great idea!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing these Susi. Enjoy your break – I do hope it ends up being as productive for you as you need it to be 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Norm. I hope it’s productive too! Sometimes the best laid plans….
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great spot, Susi, and some excellent street art. Blessing on your writing and we’ll look forward to hearing from you again. I love blogging, but it does take up a lot of time if you take time to visit other blogs, which I certainly do. Cheers!
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janet. I agree, visiting other blogs does take up time, but it’s part of the pleasure of blogging, isn’t it? I’ll be checking in with you when I’m back.
LikeLike
It’s a large part of the pleasure. I’ve also enjoyed meeting a number of bloggers, which is also great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What fun to actually meet your blogger-buddies!
LikeLike
It’s a blast, Susi. I hope to do more of it in the future.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really like this idea!
LikeLike
It would be fun to have a bloggers meeting somewhere one of these days. Or do several in different parts of the country/world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucky you to take your work elsewhere for a day! Great post 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes, I am lucky – I always feel I have to make the most of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person