Parks and nature; how they can influence writing
Sometimes, the ability to write can be hugely influenced by the setting you find yourself in. It can be much easier to think creatively when in nature than if you are sitting on a bench in the city. Walking through the parklands, the noise fades, explodes, bubbles, and settles. The first thing noticeably different is the behavior of animals. Where a seagull in the CBD would be constantly moving, squawking, and fighting other birds over little scraps of food, the birds in these parks stroll around, pecking casually at the ground when they find potential food. The noise of traffic is around but in a pale imitation of the cacophony in the city. The grass is soft and waves ever so slightly with the wind. This is the type of detail that would get lost in the endless hubbub of human activity. When sitting down with pen and paper (or a laptop) with the intent to write, the more distractions around, the harder it might be to work. Some people might find this beneficial, sitting in the middle of everything, fitting in like a puzzle piece. However, for the purposes of creating an original piece of writing, especially fictional stories, you want your mind to be able to wonder. What is that bird doing on the gazebo over there? And what type of bird is it? The local flora can have a good impact as well. Sitting down under a tree has been a staple of inspiration throughout history. From the idea of gravity to spiritual enlightenment and mythology, trees seem to have almost a mystical effect on the human mind. Something about their stillness, the unmoving, constantly growing presence of these oversized plants helps to disconnect from the sense of self to ponder the nature of existence. An abundance of non-human life can be helpful in promoting a bit of tranquility which, for a writer who may be more sensitive to noise, can help in the process of writing. For people who may be easily distracted or don’t feel comfortable staying in one place for long periods of time, inspiration can still be prompted by walking or riding a bike. This can help burn off restless energy and give more opportunities to find a place that feels comfortable. Sometimes, all someone needs to get into a creative mindset is the right situation with the right stimuli and being away from the endless sea of noise that human city centers produce can certainly be a way of finding it.