Thursday, June 10, 2010

Last Week I Slept with ...

... a note pad and pen next to my bed. Why? To record my dreams? No, but that sounds like a fascinating idea. To help realise my dream of finishing my book that I am hoping to publish some time? Yes!

Often when I wake up too early, especially when on holiday, my brain kicks into action, and I often find myself thinking about plot ideas, expressions and words. I might even be half asleep, but my brain seems to go into a creative mode automatically.

I have many times cursed myself in the past for not remembering those thoughts later in the day, just like with dreams. So this is where the note pad and pen come into the picture. I found it very useful last week, especially since our French country house has several Velux windows (roof windows), and the ones in our bedroom lack blinds. If it is a sunny morning the room gets very bright.

It's funny how it works. Sometimes when you sit down and try hard to think, to be imaginary, creative, nothing comes out. But when you're more relaxed and just let your mind float freely, you're rewarded with even the odd eureka moment.

Early one morning in that bright bedroom I had a particular idea, which I used in my writing. I noticed that the light that was shining through one of those roof windows created an image on the opposite wall, and this projected image then moved with the movement of the sun.

The sun was shining through a big birch outside and projected the movements of the foliage onto the wall, just like a fuzzy black-and-white film.

I really should carry pen and paper all the time, because you never know when the writing muse strikes next. Or maybe I simply should go on holiday more often?

I managed to take a few photos as well, and I leave you with a solitary poppy in a crop field.

AB DSC_0613_20100602_9869

5 comments:

Zuzana said...

I know exactly what you mean, my inspiration comes always when I am relaxed and happy.
I have two paintings hanging on my south wall in my home. In summer, the sunset follows the wall with its last rays and at one point, it coincides with the sunset on one of the paintings. I have tried to photograph it, but no image can do the reality justice.;)
xoxo

CanadianSwiss said...

I'm totally with you on that one. The more you try to force ideas, the less comes out! Holidays are always good :)

swenglishexpat said...

Zuzana - Your painting and sun rays sound intriguing. Keep trying!

CS - Yeah, let us all just have holidays all the time! Sorry, got carried away there for a moment. ;-)

LadyFi said...

Love the poppy shot! I always carry a notebook around.

As for your question about celebrating St. George's Day: no, I don't celebrate. In fact, I don't know anyone in England who does!

swenglishexpat said...

LadyFi - Thank you. It's funny this with National Days and flags. As you know, Swedes are crazy about flying the flag, whereas the Brits are still working on reclaiming Union Jack from some unsavoury right-wing groups who hijacked it for their cause decades ago.