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Blogs by Barb McClatchy
On Allowing Inspiration 10/13/2007 1:34:10 PM
New Experiences Create New Thinking I travel a fair amount for work these days. Several years ago, I travelled much more than I would have liked, but passed time on the road by burying myself in my work and retreating into a ficticous world I was in the midst of creating, literally. And people, thankfully, tended to leave me to my work. I'd set up at a table in the lounge area of a hotel, and with what must have been a very engrossed look on my face, apparently scared people off. And that was fine by me. I'm happily married and wanted to avoid giving anyone the impression that I was looking for something more than my laptop and my story, and the solitude required to concentrate on it.
Well, last night that changed. While I pounded on my keyboard in the lounge of suburban DC hotel, someone did attempt to invade my sacred space. Apparently, this man had seen many scary things in his day, and my Ann Taylor suit and the don't-bother-me look on my face were not amongst them. I allowed him to introduce himself, and then allowed a quick exchange or two, then I finally allowed him to join me at my table, as he'd been back-to-back to me at his, with his own laptop.
After allowing this man to enter "the forbidden zone," I soon discovered that I'd been missing out on meeting truly interesting people who can add an entirely new dimension to your thinking, or even spark an idea you never would have otherwise had. As a writer, while I thought I'd been shutting out the world to perfect my art, I was actually closing off opportunities for new and fresh thinking.
So this very interesting, charming and handsome man who happens to be pulling serious rank within the army apparently has seen it all. Again, Ann Taylor isn't likely on his seen-it-all list. While the lack of a wedding band on my left ring finger may have paved the way for his bold approach (my husband and I played volleyball the evening before with our team and I'd neglected to return the rings to the finger!), what I ended up having was an above-board, laugh-filled evening while I simultaneously learned a lot about someone in a line of work that I admire, but discovered I really know nothing about. Less than twenty-four hours later, I also came up with the concept for my next novel, based on this interaction.
So, if you're reading this post my new friend, know that the novel will be purely fiction but that you helped to inspire it. And believe me, somehow peanut butter crackers will find their way into the story.
More Blogs by Barb McClatchy • The Day the Bottom Dropped Out - Monday, January 19, 2009 • On Allowing Inspiration - Saturday, October 13, 2007 • What email? - Friday, September 28, 2007
