Writing inspiration on the slopes

Ovindoli Monte MagnolaOkay, I have a few days off around the holidays, nearby Abruzzo is buried under snow, and my kids are begging me to ski.

What’s a girl to do?

Hopefully, when this post goes up, I’ll be breathing in the fresh mountain air while I’m swooshing down the slopes. Perhaps I’ll be sad at this turn of events, wishing instead that I could  be sitting behind my computer… but most likely not. : )

BUT … and I’m not just adding this as justification for my little get-away … I usually do get lots of great story  ideas when I’m out on the slopes. I’ve written about this before in an earlier post , but inspiration rarely comes to me at my desk.

Gran Sasso from Monte Magnola, OvindoliI’m usually inspired when I’m out skiing or hiking or swimming or just taking long walks.

My brain is simply more active and I find myself far more productive after these exercise/brainstorming sessions than I would have been had I locked myself up for days with my handy laptop.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…

Writers, I’ll keep an eye out for you on the trails. And advance wishes to all of you for a very Happy New Year’s Eve!!

8 Comments

  1. Julia on December 31, 2012 at 8:09 am

    This is a lovely, inspiring post, Kimberly. The same happens to me. I love the snow, and being outdoors boosts my creativity. There are different activities that bring new ideas to my head. Dancing, for example. Happy New Year.

    • kimberlysullivan on January 4, 2013 at 10:32 am

      Thanks, Julia! I agree, isn’t the snow inspiring? Enjoying it, of course, not shoveling it. : ) Hope you managed some dance inspiration during the New Years holiday… Happy 2013!

  2. Catherine on January 2, 2013 at 12:00 am

    We are also on the slopes. I’ve been doing revisions but no new words. I have to get my head around a new pair of skis. And my place is noisy! I love writing about this place – the Dolomites – but I’m not in writing mode alas! Enjoy the rush and see you soon xcat

    • kimberlysullivan on January 4, 2013 at 10:33 am

      Hi Catherine! Hope you and your family are enjoying the slopes! The words can come later…. enjoy those new skis and time with your family out in the fresh mountain air. Buon anno!!

  3. pfornari on February 22, 2013 at 1:59 am

    I love Abruzzo: my brother and sister were born there, and we often go. Have you explored the hermitages? Pope Celestine, whom Dante placed in Hell, was born Pietro da Morrone. He was a hermit there, and when he was called to the Papacy, he missed his solitary life, issued a decree allowing Popes to abdicate, and went back to his cave. Pope Benedict has Celestine to thank! A great place to stay is the Casa Giumentina (www.casagiumentina.it)

    • kimberlysullivan on February 27, 2013 at 7:54 am

      Thanks, Paola. Yes, Celestine V is, of course, quite famous in Abruzzo and – in these days – very much back in the news! I like the Abruzzan writer Ignazio Silone and must read his novel about Celestine ‘L’avventura di un povero cristiano‘ (The Story of a Humble Christian). Have you read it? Thanks for the tip! See you in Abruzzo. : )

      • pfornari on February 27, 2013 at 7:59 am

        I haven’t read Silone, I confess, but that book is now on my list…
        I really enjoyed Giovanni d’Alessandro’s ‘La Puttana del Tedesco’ set in central Abruzzo during the War…

        • kimberlysullivan on February 28, 2013 at 7:50 am

          Thanks for the d’Alessandro tip, Paola. Sounds interesting and it’s on my too-read! Since you’re originally from Abruzzo, you might also like Silone’s most famous novel ‘Fontamara’. It’s a beautifully written depiction of the hard lives of the peasants in fictional Fontamara (loosely based on his home town of Pescina).

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