EVERYTHING FUN WRITING PROMPT
When The “Waterfalls”, The Words Flow
There’s something about the sound and look of running water that drives imagination
Thank you, Hollie Petit, Ph.D. for this writing prompt!
When I first saw Hollie’s post, I was immediately reminded of a piece I wrote back in January of 2021. I was making fun of all the “How I Made A Billion Dollars Writing On Medium With My First Article And I Can’t Even Spell Or Use A Laptop” articles.
The reason I bring this up is that there’s a section in that piece about writing comfortably or in an inspirational space.
“Stay Distracted
It’s easy to write when conditions are perfect. A Comfortable chair, great lighting, essential oils, and a quiet atmosphere. Can’t you just smell the money?
Now, do as I do and that $5 month will be chugging like a freight train destined directly for your bank account in seconds flat. Here’s what I do:
Sit on a kitchen stool with no back. What this does is it forces you to write quickly and barely edit because the pain of sitting in that position sucks and all you want to do is finish your piece and submit.
As far as lighting is concerned, make sure you’re sitting near a window on a sunny day or learn how to remember to pick up lightbulbs on your weekly trips to the supermarket. Essential oils?? I’m not sure what a quiet atmosphere is but I try and write when my kids are in-between zoom and google classrooms, while I’m making them lunch and yelling:
“No way young lady, you’d better finish that math assignment”.”
Ok, I was taking some liberties there but the basic premise is still true. I do not have a place to write. My garage, which is used for storage, is a place I’ve been “designing” for over eight years to become the ultimate writing and music studio…in my head.
Let’s call this a work in perpetual process.
That being said, I’m starting to get the feeling that things are aligning so that I’ll make those “designs” come to life sooner than later. This prompt, truth be told, is quite helpful towards that end. I feel more motivated to get that project started now that I’m writing about it, so thank you once again, Hollie.
I’m a minimalist when it comes to my ideal writing space. I think I’m like that in all aspects of my life but I know for a fact I am when it comes to sitting down to write something.
I’m easy…a comfortable chair, some natural light (preferably), and the sight and sound of running water. Oh, and coffee too. A small coffee station will do just fine but it needs to be close by.
Since I’ve become accustomed to writing in loud, cluttered, and even chaotic situations, I’ll take any one of the listed circumstances above. The one I want, however, is the waterfall aspect.
There’s always been something about water for me that just evokes calm. The sight of its movement, the ripples it creates as it runs over its path, and the meditative sound it makes as it crashes, even lightly, against hard surfaces such as rocks or wooden pillars holding up a pier.
I live close to some serene bays and small bodies of water but the climate in New York doesn’t really lend itself to writing outdoors but for a few months out of the year. I compromised and got a rather large table-top waterfall for my home.
It’s better than nothing and actually, it’s quite pretty. The problem is, I do not have a proper place to display it so it’s in my cellar of a basement, being of no use to anyone. It will however live in my garage turned art haven soon enough. Even more of a reason to get that project started, let alone, finished.
The idea for my space has multiple yet sparse sections. A music-making, recording, and listening area, a writing station with comfortable seating, a few area rugs over wooden flooring, and yes…some scattered waterfalls for all to enjoy.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to start on that space right now, or soon-ish!