Summer is right around the corner, and this season may be a good opportunity to visit some new ideas and inspiration into your writing. Local—and farther away—trips can be perfect occasions to do research and also to come up with new possibilities to write about even after the summer is over.
Ideas and inspiration are all around us, and many writers tend to have a little more time in the summer to think about projects and come up with ideas. Routines may be different for some writers: those with children home from school and those who are retired from working can often pile into the car and visit somewhere new. Those who go to work every day may be able to take an occasional day off while the weather is favorable and go on a short (or long) trip as a way to jump-start their writing. Summer weekends are also an opportunity for some exploring and creativity.
The summer months are a nice time for everyone to discover the area around where they live or venture out to other cities and towns either a drive or short flight away. There are possibilities for any budget or any time frame, and as a writer, visiting libraries and museums in your own town or in other places, both nearby and on vacation is a great way to glean inspiration.
Museums
I live in a university city in the Midwest and the art museum here is not large, but it is vibrant. Once a month they hold a Sunday Writing Hour, where those who register can go to the museum, listen to the writing instructor, then sit and write for a period of time after closely looking at a particular work of art. It is a well-received program, and a similar one is offered for those wanting to be inspired to draw. Both opportunities are so popular that participants must sign up beforehand as enrollment is limited. For that reason, I keep a close eye on the museum’s calendar to visit and take advantage of their assortment of activities when I can.
Spend an afternoon—or at least a few hours—visiting a museum you have not been to and remember to bring your notebook. As you view the artifacts and offerings there, think about where each came from and jot it down. You may end up with enough information or ideas to eventually write a story or write an article, and referring to your notes sometime in the future may provide new ideas and vision.
Those who are homebound can also take advantage of being inspired in this way by visiting museums online. New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website recently featured a presentation (in their Design Store) with items from women-owned businesses in Portugal. I looked at the products with interest because although I am not from that country, a green bowl that was shaped like a cabbage caught my eye. This was identical to one in my grandmother’s house when I was growing up. I read on and was surprised by the ceramic company’s rich history. Thinking about that bowl provided me with some story ideas and an article about the old family-owned company could also be a project for a time in the future. Of course, I was left to wonder where my grandmother’s green bowl is now…
Libraries
The local public library near me offers interesting speakers, courses, and one-day events, too, and so does the community college that’s just twenty minutes away. The bookstore in town hosts an impressive number of authors, and with the large university here there are always good learning opportunities to take advantage of. These are all excellent ways to visit a new place and spark ideas for both fiction and nonfiction writing.
Before going to another city, state, or area, you may want to do a search online and learn whether there are any libraries—or other organization’s programs—offered there that you can take advantage of. I always like to see whether libraries I visit have a Used Book Sale area and pick up a book to support both the library and my own reading obsession. Visit the library and other community buildings regardless of whether they have anything special going on and see what they are all about. 
Other Opportunities to Visit
As most of us will admit, we only visit some of the many of the interesting places in our local area when a friend or family member comes to town. When my sister visits me from New York in April, I will likely take her to the raptor center that is a half-hour from my home. I have not been there in years, and it is a fabulous place. There we will see specialists taking care of injured and disabled birds in a safe setting. We may have the opportunity to talk with the college students who do internships there and then can possibly find out interesting information about the center and birds and what they are presently most passionate about.
We may also visit a small nearby town that is known nationally for its annual Tulip Festival. The town has colorful tulip beds in season for a couple of weeks before and after the festival and has quite a beautiful town center, perfect for inspiration.
At both places, I will take notes to use for both fiction and nonfiction projects, gathering facts and creative ideas as I chat with my sister and those we meet during our jaunts. Then, I may refer to my notes a few weeks or months after she goes back home, but my good ideas will be waiting for me when I have time to visit to them.
Related Posts for Inspiration
