Summary

The author has found that surrounding themselves with art and creating a dedicated writing space has significantly enhanced their writing process and productivity.

Abstract

The author, a reinvigorated writer who turned to writing as a business during the pandemic, shares their journey of overcoming common writing challenges such as finding inspiration and maintaining consistency. By transforming a section of their room into a "happy place" work station, equipped with art pieces like a replica of Michelangelo's David, and incorporating Italian music, they have cultivated an environment that fosters focus and creativity. The author emphasizes the importance of minimizing distractions, adhering to flexible writing guidelines rather than strict rules, and drawing inspiration from their surroundings to improve their craft and output.

Opinions

The author values a well-organized and inspirational workspace, which they believe is crucial for their writing process.
They acknowledge the struggle with distractions, particularly from social media, and have developed a humorous way to address this by personifying distractions as "Keanu Reeves."
The author prefers listening to unfamiliar music, specifically Italian instrumental, to avoid being pulled into nostalgia and to maintain focus on writing.
They advocate for personalizing the writing environment with meaningful art pieces to stimulate creativity and enhance the overall writing experience.
The author suggests that inspiration, not just the tools of writing, is essential for a writer's development, suggesting that art can be a powerful muse.

Surrounding Myself With Art Pieces Made Me A Better Writer

Writing Hacks and Tips

I recently rediscovered my passion for writing. Medium is one of the whys, I am back at writing. Losing my job during the pandemic, I decided to give writing another try, and make it a business. I even wrote about it, How I started the Business of ‘Me’.

My problem as a writer has always been in finding inspiration, topics to write, and be consistent at writing. But lately, I’m surprised at myself with the amount of writing I do.

I don’t publish everything I write, most of it is for myself, ramblings, musings, and personal notes to self. But for my writing business, I made a list of topics I want to write and share with my Medium readers.

I get distracted easily, especially when I write on the laptop, it is quite easy to open a new tab and be lost on social media. I also try to improve on my writing habits, but I don’t allow myself to be imprisoned by rules, so instead of calling them rules, I have guidelines.

I even have a pet name for distraction, I call him, ‘Keanu Reeves’, so whenever I am distracted, I would say it out loud, ‘Not now, Keanu!’ but sometimes I fail, who wouldn’t with his puppy eyes.

I have made a special section of my room, as my work station, away from my bed which is another distraction, because who doesn’t fall asleep on the bed as they write?

At my work station, I made sure that everything I need is in close proximity to where I am seated, my laptop, a notebook, pieces of paper I scribble on, and a pen. I even set up speakers so I can listen to my Spotify playlist uninterrupted.

Not now, Keanu! — Naff Beltran

A coffee table on the side, which is a great tip for writers and coffee drinkers if you don’t want coffee spilled over your laptop. I even improved on my lighting setup, to make it easy on the eyes as I write.

Everything looks great!

Until one day, I ran out of ideas, I can’t put my thoughts on paper, so I asked myself what is missing?

My work station as it is looks great, but it is a work station. Writing needs more than pen and paper, it needs inspiration.

Art Inspires

I decided to upgrade my work station and stopped calling it a work station but my happy place, it sets the tone as I write.

As a minimalist, I only want a few pieces of decor, and I consciously decided to surround myself with art pieces, in the hope I will become a better writer.

I own a small replica of the statue of David, a souvenir I got from a trip to Italy years ago. Michaelangelo’s David is one of the most recognizable works of art from the renaissance period, and I still remember it to be a sight to behold as I pass by the entrance of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

Italy is one of my favorite places, who wouldn’t be lost in its beauty as one walk the streets of Florence or Venice? To complement my David, as I call the statue and to add more Italian flavor when I write, I now only listen to Italian music mostly instrumental.

I noticed when I listen to the unfamiliar, I am more focused on my writing and not to the song playing. Songs fill the soundtrack of our lives and a familiar song brings back memories, either good or bad.

The moment a familiar song plays, I remember a memory from the past. My mind drifts back to that time in my personal history, my mind is lost in that place, and my writing stops. Listening to the unfamiliar helps me stay focused.

Surrounding myself with art pieces have made me a better writer, I hope you surround yourself with art too. I will leave you with the words of Michaelangelo, ‘Ancora imparo.’

If you want to know more about me, Naff Beltran, you can follow me or leave a comment.