Saturday 21 January 2012

In need of some inspiration

Recently I've been having a bit of a block with writing anything new. I've even stopped reading my novel, which two months ago I was aching to get back from my readers. What's going on? January, that's what!

I hoped it wouldn't happen to me this year. But even with the weather being not entirely horrible, and even with the sun shining and feeling half-way warm on my skin (admittedly while wearing a thick winter jacket, gloves and a scarf) I'm still feeling uninspired and overly-tired. Even my gym workouts aren't having the same effect. All because its January.

So, here are some pictures from the end of my road to get that January feeling out of my system!






38 comments:

  1. Nice pics (it's so green! I live in the desert right now, so any green is way more than I'm used to), and I totally know what you mean about that January feeling. I always battle it with silly things like comic books, and funny movies, but when that's not enough I draw ridiculous pictures of things like me as a superhero, or my cat as the president of the United States.

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    1. I'm watching a lot of comedy at the moment. If Hubby suggests a serious film, I have to say no! I was determined I wouldn't let it happen this year, because it always feels like I'm wishing my life away. But, I suppose it's only one month!

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    1. Thank you. I took them on my mobile, so I wasn't sure if they'd come out okay on a larger screen.

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  3. I have found that taking a week to really figure out me - relax about the stuff that doesn't matter and meditate about life a little has helped me drastically. Hope you get feeling better soon!

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    1. I've been getting stuck into a little more housework than occurs when I'm writing (just a little more!) I've always been interested in meditation, but my brain just doesn't go quiet. I even have my internal monologue running during a relaxing massage!

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  4. Wow, where do you live? That's some amazing scenery.

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    1. I'm on the Cornish side of the Cornwall/Devon boarder (England). The photos are all facing further into Cornwall. It's a beautiful place to live. And about 20 minutes from moors one way, and the coast the other way!

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  5. I hope you get over the writer's block soon!

    Also, I wanted to let you know that we've given you a Liebster Award over at our blog: http://thinkingthroughourfingers.blogspot.com/2012/01/liebster-award.html

    Thanks for all you do for the writing community!

    Please feel free to pass it forward. :)

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  6. Those are some great shots! Wow! If you haven't already, you should write something with those scenes in mind:) January is almost over, so I hope the block clears for you soon.

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    1. Thanks Marta. I've actually written a series of 3 novellas all based in my town. I picked up that bridge, moved it slightly, shifted all the other landmarks and added some, and then wrote. Although, it's not a happy bridge in my stories.

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  7. Luckily January is almost over and hopefully the January blahs will go with it.

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  8. I am in your January vibe, too. Too many gray days, and cold. I should really move somewhere warmer--but I do love the spring so that always keeps me going. As far as how to get re-inspired during this stagnant month? I'm going to meet up with a writer-friend for a joint writing session with lots of coffee. Misery loves company, after all!

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    1. Coffee and a friend sounds like a great idea. I have no real-life writer friends :-( It would be lovely to just phone someone up for a coffee when I'm struggling. Luckily, there's always someone online when I need them!

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  9. Oh, that's what this funk is about? Thanks for enlightening me. January IS a challenge. Those pictures are really nice, so serene.
    xoRobyn

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    1. I laughed at 'serene'. My two boys were running around and posing in front of me!

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  10. That's your backyard?! I totally need to move there. But yeah, January is a funky month. But March is always worse here, probably because it's the culmination of three straight months of gray. Ew.

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    1. It is beautiful. Part of the reason I posted them was to remind me not to take my local area for granted! I hope March isn't too bad for you this year!

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  11. Wonderful pictures. That's a part of the country that I've never visited but would love to.

    I'm glad to see you're not trying to fight the January feeling. It's good to see you're doing other stuff. That way you'll be raring to go when February gets here. Right? :-)

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    1. I'm not fighting at all - I'm thoroughly engaging January, all wrapped up, as I am right now, in the largest, cosiest cardi I own!

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  12. Amazing photos, Annalisa! I'm envious - the end of my road isn't half as inspiring! Posting inspiring photos on your blog is a great idea - I might adopt it. As for the January blues... only a week or so til Feb! I'm on a go-slow too but hadn't connected my exhaustion with the time of year. I think you're right, though! Take a break and the urge to write will overwhelm you when the time is right. That will be much more productive than trying to squeeze the words out. ;-) L xx

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    1. I figured out the connection years ago, but each January I try hard to make it different. It never is. I've never been able to sit down and write when I don't feel like it. I definitely have to wait for the muse.

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  13. P.S. it's a great time for writing Christmas stories!

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  14. That place is beautiful Annalisa.

    I fully understand the lethargy that hits you in January. I feel exactly the same. The way that I'm dealing with the low enthusiasm for sitting at my desk and writing, is by reading lots. I'm soaking up books this month and that can only be a good thing. Get yourself absorbed and hopefully this will fuel you into a better February.

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    1. I haven't even been reading - now that's definitely something I could be doing!

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  15. What a beautiful place to live! I've been going through something similar with my writing. I think it helps when we know we're not alone. Sometimes our brains need to recharge but I'm confident that urge to write will return soon.

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    1. No, judging by all these comments, we're definitely NOT alone. Wow - we're going to be churning out tons of stuff in February :-)

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  16. Gorgeous! Give yourself January off guilt free. Maybe declare January a "reading month" instead---and maybe reading someone else's stuff will rev you up to get back to your own. :)

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    1. I think you're right. Reading and walking, and sorting out my gym schedule. Back to it in February!

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  17. January does that to me too. It does it to a lot of people so we shouldn't feel anxious about it. Just keep looking at that amazing view and sooner or later spring will bounce you back to work.

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  18. What gorgeous pics! I especially love the rainbow, how beautiful. I know just how you feel, I was making great progress on my story and then the past few weeks it feels like a struggle to work on anything. I think January has that effect on a lot of people. Here's to an early spring for all of us! :)

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    1. We've been having some amazing rainbows round here for the past couple of months - today was a gorgeous example, but I was at work and couldn't take a photo. I always thought it was just me who suffered in January - I hope we can all help each other through it. 5 days, 8 hours and counting!

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  19. Beautiful! Some of this looks familiar to me... I lived in Ireland in the 80s, and traveled a fair bit, so it's possible :-)

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    1. The pictures are of the Devon/Cornwall border, near the Tamar Bridge, just random pictures of farmers fields and rolling hills.

      Welcome to the blog, thanks for stopping by.

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