The above two and related questions are what our little group is pondering this month.
Well, yes, I am floundering in a ‘stalled writing’ state, I think. Having had such a productive Lockdown x 2, it’s hit me rather hard to be unable to progress a story I really want to tell: so reaction to question one:
Go on holiday. It’s now permitted and the UK is full of wonderful historic sites and beautiful gardens. Gardens are balm.
At this time in May, there are many rhodedendrons to see in huge bursts of colour and many, many smaller flowers like the Iris above. Taking a meander through places like Bodnant and Bridgenorth, listening to the bees, watching the birds frantically feeding their young and finding treasures such as an historical novelist will drool over, is a good answer to question one.
And if anyone knows what a chimney like the one above was part of, please tell me in the comments.
Does it help me? I think it does. the mind resets. The brain benefits from being away from the desk/computer and my eyes certainly do, too.
Of course, I took a book away with me. Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell’s award winning book about Agnes/Anne Hathaway and Shakespeare’s son’s death from the plague. I read it for the book group and arrived home with just enough time to get along to the discussion. I thought the book was a wonderful work. Does it inspire? Oh, yes, it does. Time to knuckle down and get on with it.
What are your cure-all techniques? Maybe you’ll find inspiration in the posts of my fellow Robins, below.
Anne
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich — https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2CG
Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/
Rhobin Courtright http://rhobincourtright.com
Novels Now 
I should have mentioned in my own post the importance of reading other people’s work when stalled. It does help to experience another style of writing, and to enjoy a story well told. Get out of your own head, I suppose, and remember why it is you love this whole writing thing.
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I think that’s true, AJ. Also, it builds confidence in that the other writer has finished, edited, polished and published. Although I hesitate to mention my own writing in the same sentence as Maggie O’Farrell’s, I can imagine the stylistic and research problems she faced and overcame. Anne
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I’ve visited the UK twice and loved its buildings, parks, and gardens. Inspirational! I also think getting outside and away from the computer and its screen are great cures to stalled stories.
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Hi Rhobin, thanks for dropping in. Fresh air seems to be a popular choice among the robins this month. Anne
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I’ve loved every trip to Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Wales – so many wonderful old buildings and places filled with history to explore. I now live in the oldest city in America, St. Augustine – which was settled in 1565 so there’s lots of history here, too, but not nearly as many awesome old buildings. I recall staying in the “NEW” Inn in Salisbury that was built in the 1200s, then called New Sarum – YIKES that’s old and very inspiring with ideas for historical stories. And to think you are surrounded by it.
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Hi Skye, St. Augustine sounds lovely. Edinburgh has lots of history but most of it is Stewart dynasty onwards. Yes, it is great to be able to go and wander in the Georgian squares and streets. I was in Hereford earlier this week and went round a very old building, now a museum, with sloping floors and tight wooden staircases. As I was reading Hamnet, it fitted very well with my prevailing mood. Anne
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I take a break when my writing stalls. I find a good long walk helps if it’s a temporary stall. If it’s a longer term block, I leave the work-in-progress to one side and try writing something else e.g. a short story.
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Hi Anne, thanks for dropping in. Walking seems to be a preferred method for many of us creative types. I know you live among outstanding scenery and have a huge choice of walking routes. Anne
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That tower? It’s obvious: when raiders come, you stand inside and shoot them with your trusty bow and arrows.
I hope you don’t have the problem of meeting defenders when you are the tourist!
See, Aimee is right. Reading your words has inspired me to writing.
🙂
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Hi Bob, Yes, that’s a much better idea than the probable reality. Supplied by the DH, it could be the chimney for demolished green or succession houses. Whatever, we were welcomed and no bows and arrows were necessary. thanks for dropping in. Anne
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