In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron talks about the importance of going on artist’s dates. An artist’s date is when you take yourself out on a date to get inspiration for your writing. You are supposed to go alone, but I really don’t follow that rule (I spend so much time alone for my job that I need to use my free time for socializing). I thought it might be fun to share my latest dates with you (and maybe inspire you to go on a few of your own).
Solomon’s Island
I saw otters in a marine museum in Solomon’s Island. I love to joke that otters always inspire me (they really do), and this time was no exception. I was struck with a wonderful idea for a date for my current novel (jellyfish are also involved). Also, for the first time in life, I saw a lighthouse that was set up as home (there was actual furniture in rooms). I instantly knew that I had to make the protagonist in the fourth book of my series life in a lighthouse. I really can’t imagine a cooler way to live.
The Ballet
On Friday, my husband and I saw the New York City Ballet perform “The Times Are Racing.” I have never felt so exhilarated by a ballet in my life. Whether it was the modern clothing (we are talking sneakers here), the combination of ballet and breakdancing, or the frenetic music, I was just inspired to write. Pure beauty and genius spur me to try to create a work of art that will inspire and exhilarate other people.
And, as a total bonus, we got into a conversation with our Uber driver on the way home on how comic books deal with the human condition (amazing where an Aquaman joke will lead you…). This inspired me to write a blog post that will have tons of cartoon thought bubbles hovering above your head (keep your eyes peeled for it in the coming weeks).
Delaware Museum of Art
My best friend and I took a trip to the Delaware Museum of Art to see the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood exhibit. While I wasn’t inspired by the number of paintings around “fallen women” (can we please get a psychologist in that art gallery to analyze some of those painters’ psyches?), I was inspired to resurrect an old novel I wrote about the painters’ lives. When I was in college, I wrote a modern adaptation of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s life because there is more drama in his biography than all the seasons of Vanderpump Rules combined.
Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice
Just kidding. The only thing that movie inspired me to do was write a better relationship than the one between Lois Lane and Superman. Brushing a woman’s cheek with your hand and then flying away every time she speaks doesn’t really make a great relationship. (On a side note, Jeremy Irons stepped up like he always does. He is always prepared.)
Where do you get inspiration? Let me know in the comments below!