Over the weekend, Dwight and I watched a documentary on art in Paris. While it focused on how much modern art was inspired by the 1920’s, it mentioned many writers who traveled to Paris seeking inspiration for their work.
Most of our famous writers would sequester themselves off from everyone in order to get their writing done. Without the distractions of phones ringing, doors opening and closing, and general background noise, we writers could concentrate on our craft. We both started talking about a place for us to write. It did not necessarily have to be a remote hut on a far-away island; it could be something as simple as a den in which no one is allowed when writing time is in session. We imagined how our writing nook would look for us being such Anglophiles and Parisophiles. Our writing room would of course require copious amounts of bookcases filled to overflowing with ancient tomes, dripping beeswax candles, and preferably a roaring fireplace. Inspiration would be at our fingertips and no doubt we would whip out novels galore!
Me writing away…hey a girl can dream!
Okay, that is the ultimate fantasy for any writer! And while that situation would be ideal, sometimes in life we end up in the most unusual places to write. Take for instance, the Apostle Paul. After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul ended up in Rome–not as a great preacher–but as a prisoner in jail, chained to Roman soldiers in a hole filled with excrement and no ventilation. I am sure there were times when Paul wished he could be elsewhere, but he was content to be where God wanted him. He would do most of his prolific writing in jail, and, to this day, we read and quote from his Epistles in the Bible. So who knows where our writing area will be? We may have to make do with a corner of our bedroom–complete with background noise, doors opening and closing, and chirping cell phones. So be it. We are where God wants us to be, and He is the ultimate inspiration for any story!
“When you come, bring with you the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, but especially the parchments.” – 2 Timothy 4:13 (MEV)
God bless,
Rebecca
Photo credit: HocveKientruc
