Clamouring to become visible...

This is adapted from an article that appeared on the Write Anything website on March 23, 2008. The original text can be found here. By coincidence, I was again away this weekend, without my laptop (although not without internet access, albeit limited). I did however take a pad and pen with me, and got some writing done.

Adverse writing conditions

By the time you read this, I may be sitting at the top of a mountain, in the middle of Derbyshire, fumbling with a pen and paper through thick gloves, huddled against a craggy outcrop, sheltering from the wind and (possibly) the rain.

I have taken a short break and returned to the same area I visited immediately after finishing NaNoWriMo, to relax, recharge and to be re-inspired. At the time of writing (Wednesday) the weather forecast is not great; low temperatures, rain and snow are all likely. But with a little luck, there will be one or two good days that will allow me the opportunity to get up into the hills, and in the solitude, with stunning vistas all around, see where inspiration may take me.

Failing which, I can sit in a local pub, with a pint of real ale close to hand, a hearty hot meal in front of me and a roaring fire, and while away the hours scribbling into a notebook.

It may prove to be the most productive I have been in some time. The adverse writing conditions of the title are not the wind and rain, but modern life.

I get up early and tired, rush through getting dressed and having breakfast, to travel for almost an hour on cramped public transport, to spend at least 8 hours in the office before repeating the same on the way home.

From getting up at 6.30am to finishing the evening meal, over half the day disappears. It can be as late as 9pm before I have any time for anything beyond merely existing.

Then distractions like e-mail, forums, websites and TV shows eat away those few precious hours before I need to go to sleep, to repeat the day.

The fast pace of the modern world is unforgiving of slow crafts like painting, reading and of course writing. The time to create, and appreciate, is encroached upon by other demands, and so in order to fit into our schedules, our relaxation and gratification has to be instant. In order to find the time for something, I have to force the time, and if I force it, it is no longer enjoyable, so I am less inclined to do it.

So this weekend I shall be away from work, from commuting, from television and the internet. Just me, nature, and a pen and paper. Simplicity.