On my wall in my office (the living room) is a cherry tree branch. Because of the way our living room is set up, the wall with the branch is actually the best place for my desk so I look at it. A lot. I have the branch coming into the wall from the side wall, as if it might be stretching from a large tree around the corner. I'm not entirely sure why, but that branch has inspired a lot of scenes for me. Not that I stick my characters up trees or anything. At least not on a regular basis.
That tree branch helps me look forward - especially in the dog days of winter, which are just around the corner, when we're surrounded by ice and snow and cold. All not fun things to be surrounded by, in my opinion.
I added a ribbon board last fall in coordinating colors. The ribbon board holds my character collages, a few inspirational sayings and two fortune cookie fortunes that have been...well, fortunate. Both I got within a couple of days of something good happening in my life.
These aren't great pieces of great artwork and no, the branch isn't real. It's one of those wall decal things. Chocolate brown branch, butterfly sniffing a blossom and baby-pink blooms hanging on. A few of the blossoms look like they're blowing away in the wind - I took a little artistic license when I put it up. I think what I like best about the branch is that it's spring to me - and spring is everything hopeful.
When the grass greens up, when those first tulip bulbs pop out of the earth, when the birds wake me up at the crack of dawn...I know the snow is just about over and long, warm days are in my future. But more than that, I know that I am not stuck, because just as the seasons keep our flowers and trees from being perennially bare or blossoming, the bloom on my wall helps me remember - even on days when the writing is hard - that some of the days are perfect 77-degree, not a grey cloud in the sky day. And that keeps me going.
What do you find inspirational about your work space?
That's nice, Kristi. Christmas music time is coming on, and I get inspiration from that, both religious and non-, I think because it's joyful.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post.
Christmas music! It's always playing in our house - bebe loves to nap with carols playing softly...
DeleteKristina,
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post. You've put me in the mood for writing!
My writing comes when ever/where ever I am. I drive all over the Midwest to my sons' swim meets---not sure how I ended up with 3 boys who all swim. I write in the car, on bleachers, at a Panera or Starbucks...my favorite place is on my patio in front of a fire pit.
But my inspiration comes from what is around me...a song, a comment from a friend, or a lovely post by a wonderful author.
Thank you, Kristina!
-R.T. Wolfe
www.rtwolfe.com
Black Creek Burning (Crimson Romance, 2012)
aw, thank you, RT! I know what you mean about writing wherever you can - may favorite spot lately is our rec room, with the windows open so I can watch the stars at night.
DeleteMe, too, R.T! I write just about anywhere--Panera and B&N being my faves.I carry extra large index cards in my purse for the idea that comes up at work or in the car.
DeleteI write in the living room and have 2 huge windows that overlook some wonderful scenery. I see lots of wildlife, beautiful trees and plants and flowers and I'm constantly inspired. And when it's warm and I can open the windows and hear all the sounds of nature it's so relaxing it makes inspiring thoughts that much easier. Lovely post Kristi!
ReplyDeletesounds like the perfect spot, Christine! Love being able to look out and see beautiful things - that's the beauty of a laptop, I can move where I need to move. :)
DeleteAww this is a great post, Kristina. Unfortunately, I don't really have anything in particular that motivates me. I suppose I have a routine of drinking coffee and listening to music, but that's about it. Maybe I need my own tree branch, eh?
ReplyDeletea tree branch is a good thing - but routines like music and coffee can get the juices flowing, too, Melissa!
DeleteGreat question! Unfortunately, I don't have a great answer. I used to write on the desktop in our bedroom but since we got the puppy and she's only allowed in the family room, I've moved my writing to the couch in the family because she's proven that she can't be left alone for one minute. Unfortunately the couch is verrrrrrry comfortable. I can look out into my back yard which is full of trees that are right now bright yellow. I will stare at them if I'm stuck, lost in my own world. But I can't say the trees are inspirational. LOL.
ReplyDeleteHa! We have a huge red maple in our backyard...and our back neighbors have a virtual oak forest back there. I get caught just daydreaming all the time, Sharon!
DeleteRight now it's a mess, so nothing!
ReplyDeletelol, Jerri, my desk is always a mess!
DeleteI don't have a decorative tree branch but I do have a lovely garden view from my desk. As a break from the screen, I try to force myself to admire the view the recommended times for screen usage but I fail. Still, it's nice to watch the flowers grow!
ReplyDeletewatching the flowers grow (and admiring my handiwork in the garden) is a great pastime, Nancy! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteI'm never too far from my computer hutch when I write. That's where I store all my research books, notes, etc. Today, I'm writing from the dining table. On my right, I can look out the sliding glass doors and see our dog kennels and back yard. To my left is our front yard and three giant windows that overlook a rural valley and mountains. I see my roses need to be trimmed. I'll look to the right...
ReplyDeleteHa! Sheri, you crack me up! Hope the views inspire you today!!
DeleteSounds beautiful, Kristina!! My special inspiration is a sticky note stuck on the wall above my desk, written in pink and blue and green ink that reads: Mom, dear, I Totally Love You. Your Only Daughter, Jenna. It's decorated with hearts. And above that is another sticky note written in my favorite color—green—that reads 'Fer the start of your new career' and there is an arrow pointing to the note below! Love my kids!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
aw, that's awesome, Jennifer!
DeleteI don't know where I get my inspiration from (quick, inspiration where are you...) but I love walking. I tend to come back refreshed and my mind happily whirls away (except for when it doesn't) oh and coffee! Lots of inspiration in a coffee cup :). You got me thinking, Kristi!
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting, Cait! Walking is a great inspiration-moment for me - I crank up some tunes and zone out. Lucky for me our neighborhood doesn't have a ton of traffic!!
DeleteKristina, I think you have given us all a new branch of thought for those days we are dry. My inspiration comes from the reason I write. So I have a notebook and notes filled with story ideas. I find comfort in the passing seasons and my dog laying on my feet as I work.
ReplyDeleteI can see the highway traffic plus my mature trees, bushes, and plants from my windows. Sometimes I turn my chair away to write facing pictures or the clock. I can veg out on the clock face and come up with a better sentence or scene most of the time. Otherwise, a nap inspires me to plot scenes or lines so I awake refreshed and ready to work.
I like to listen to NPR or the BBC as I write. Sometimes its CDs of the Dixie Chicks for kick a** scenes. Thanks for so many ideas. jean
Great ideas, Jean! Sometimes a simple move like turning the chair or moving from my desk to the table works wonders!
DeleteMy view is a bit like Sheri's. I had Wes hang up my certificates from my ms wins to my right. WHen I get down, I look there.
ReplyDeleteWhat's inspiring about my work space? Nothing. It's a corner of the bedroom with clutter all around. (Yes, I actually write better in clutter. LOL) But inspiring? Nope. I get that from many other sources. But an interesting post. If I had something to look at, I'd look at it and not write. :)
ReplyDeleteKristi, the tree reminds me of the cartoon Rose is Rose. She has her leaning tree--where she leans until her worries go away.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where I get my inspiration, but I love my view. My desk is in front of a sliding glass door over looking the pool, deck, and the view to the bay. Sometimes I'll see a mongoose or iguana on the deck.
ReplyDeleteWorkspace not very inspiring lately. Mabe I need a change of scenery.
ReplyDelete