The Case for a Creative Change of Venue by Angie Ledbetter
In the prickly world of legalities and criminal prosecution, the judge of a highly publicized trial will sometimes order a change of venue away from the media circus of high profile events in order to find unbiased, impartial jurors. Once ordered, the proceedings will take place one county over (or parish if you’re in Louisiana), clear across the country, or somewhere in between.
Since the drudging routines and work schedules compromising our lives often put a stranglehold on our creative goals, we might do well to order ourselves a short removal from the overexposure to the same people, scenery, ideas and experiences. Getting out of the deep rut of our necessary parameters opens up new vistas for us to contemplate. I know this is true whether I’m crafting poetry, working on a manuscript or short story, or painting/collaging. The photographer in me loves getting away from home too, even if Facebook gets cranky with the number of photo albums created and shared.
Don’t tell yourself that times are too hard to take a trip. During your lunch break, bring a sandwich to a nearby park so you can sketch, write, doodle or observe others. On a day off, drive country roads or visit nearby cities. Swap babysitting for a few hours with a friend so you can get some alone daylight hours. Speaking of swapping, why not switch homes/apartments with a friend or relative in a different locale for a bit? Take a bus or train to somewhere different for a day or just a few hours. Do whatever it takes to shake up your perspective and blow off the dust of the daily grind. If nothing else, reading a book outside your normal preference range can sometimes inspire fresh thoughts.
Okay, the verdict is in – making time to honor your creativity causes a reciprocal and pleasant return.
Angie Ledbetter is co-Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal. Visit her in the blogosphere at GumboWriter.com or in Twitterville.
Great post!
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Angie, The reason I love hitting the back roads every chance I get is to "shake up" my perspective "and blow off the dust of the daily grind."
Wonderful post. And great advice.
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Glad fine minds are thinking alike on this, Darrelyn. (Well, one fine mind and one mediocre one.)
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