In the midst of writing my debut novel, I go through the now-familiar rollercoaster where some days I can pump out 3,000 words no problem, versus the more-often struggle to manage a mere 500. And then there are times, like today, that the page stays blank as I stare at my screen, where my foggy brain barely registers its own reality, and the room around me, let alone the world I’ve created within my story. It can be maddening at times, and depressing at others, but essentially what it comes down to, I’ve learned, is that I am not close enough to the scene I’m writing and I need clarity. Often times, clarity only comes with a spark of creativity, which is why I now have a ritual for writer’s block.
Typically, if I’m struggling more with the approach of what’s happening in the scene I’m writing, I get frustrated, more for a lack of ideas and clarity than for, say a lack of flowing words. Sometimes this block requires several days of letting the problem simmer, often below the surface in my subconscious, which is remarkable when I an realize how certain scenes manifested within the novel. Because usually the more I stew, the more it festers in my mind and frustrates me, but now, I approach each uncertainty that I can’t figure out easily as something I need to let be for a time. And sometimes this works wonders. Other times, I need to talk it out with someone. But lastly, there are moments when my brain simply fails me. That’s when I know it’s time to get the hell out of town.
The monotony of being a writer is that you’re often stuck in front of a screen or typewriter, or with your nose in a book. While we bookworms love the shut-in lifestyle, it does mean that finding new inspiration outside of literature can be quite a challenge. In times such as these, I pack my laptop up in my Sutter’s Mill bag and I get in my car and I drive. Having no destination is what fuels new experiences, and for me, it’s that uncertainty that breeds inspiration. So I go, and I stop whenever I see someplace or someone interesting, and sometimes I just people watch, other times I like to strike up conversation when possible, because the more individuals I meet, the more variety of experience I have and can pull from when my story calls for it. You wouldn’t believe some of the characters I met out there, the stories, the perspectives, and each with their own answer to what makes them happy.
So today, I drove an hour west until I came across a little coffee shop in a cute little Ohio town, and I wrote. And it streamed from me. I watched people living their lives, creating a backstory in my mind for each who walked by that caught my curiosity, and from that, I gained fresh eyes to relieve me of my block. One of my favorite places to go is just about anywhere on High Street in Columbus, because you’re right on the Ohio State campus, where there’s all sorts of interesting people. And even better is checking out the Gallery Hop, which happens on the first Saturday of every month, because there’s few times when the widest variety of people come out at one time, so people watching is at its finest. Other than that, time is the best to cure the worst of the blocks a writer can have. Share below of what are your remedies are to writer’s block.
The monotony of being a writer is that you’re often stuck in front of a screen or typewriter, or with your nose in a book. While we bookworms love the shut-in lifestyle, it does mean that finding new inspiration outside of literature can be quite a challenge. In times such as these, I pack my laptop up in my Sutter’s Mill bag and I get in my car and I drive. Having no destination is what fuels new experiences, and for me, it’s that uncertainty that breeds inspiration. So I go, and I stop whenever I see someplace or someone interesting, and sometimes I just people watch, other times I like to strike up conversation when possible, because the more individuals I meet, the more variety of experience I have and can pull from when my story calls for it. You wouldn’t believe some of the characters I met out there, the stories, the perspectives, and each with their own answer to what makes them happy.
So today, I drove an hour west until I came across a little coffee shop in a cute little Ohio town, and I wrote. And it streamed from me. I watched people living their lives, creating a backstory in my mind for each who walked by that caught my curiosity, and from that, I gained fresh eyes to relieve me of my block. One of my favorite places to go is just about anywhere on High Street in Columbus, because you’re right on the Ohio State campus, where there’s all sorts of interesting people. And even better is checking out the Gallery Hop, which happens on the first Saturday of every month, because there’s few times when the widest variety of people come out at one time, so people watching is at its finest. Other than that, time is the best to cure the worst of the blocks a writer can have. Share below of what are your remedies are to writer’s block.
In the above article, I mentioned my laptop bag, the Sutter’s Mill Tool Bag by United by Blue. The Sutter’s Mill bag is in fact one of the most versatile and quality made bags I’ve had the pleasure of working with, because it’s setup perfectly for a wide range of uses, like replacing a traditional gear bag, or tool bag, or even a briefcase.
United by Blue specializes in outdoor clothing, camp gear, fine bags, and so much more, and the Sutter’s Mill Tool bag is among their finest in style, build and quality as far as I’ve seen. With pockets inside and out and because of its wide inner compartment, the Sutter’s Mill can be employed as a camera bag or an overnight bag, too. The bag has dual rolled top handles with a 6” drop, interior open pockets and a padded laptop sleeve (which accommodates up to a 13” laptop). On the exterior, zipper pockets on each side give you a utility pouch to work with, as well as several open pockets that are perfectly sized for hammers and clip on tools. The material feels of long lasting quality, as does the stitching, and the leather has been worked smooth, which is also pleasant to the touch (and it smells heavenly). Additionally, the fabric has been treated with a water repellent protection, which is rated as downpour proof. The dimensions of the Sutter’s Mill Tool Bag is 15.5”x 12.75” x 8”, with a storage volume of 27-liters.
All in all, I came away very impressed by the quality, design and craftsmanship of United by Blue’s Sutter’s Mill tool bag. I’ve used it as a tool bag, a camera bag, a laptop and briefcase where necessary, and love it. It bridges the gap between a myriad of uses, which allows me to live more simply by relying on the bag for majority of my work and travel needs.
If you would like to learn more about United by Blue, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott
Product photos by Brandon Scott
(Photo of people walking by pennuja via Flickr)
United by Blue specializes in outdoor clothing, camp gear, fine bags, and so much more, and the Sutter’s Mill Tool bag is among their finest in style, build and quality as far as I’ve seen. With pockets inside and out and because of its wide inner compartment, the Sutter’s Mill can be employed as a camera bag or an overnight bag, too. The bag has dual rolled top handles with a 6” drop, interior open pockets and a padded laptop sleeve (which accommodates up to a 13” laptop). On the exterior, zipper pockets on each side give you a utility pouch to work with, as well as several open pockets that are perfectly sized for hammers and clip on tools. The material feels of long lasting quality, as does the stitching, and the leather has been worked smooth, which is also pleasant to the touch (and it smells heavenly). Additionally, the fabric has been treated with a water repellent protection, which is rated as downpour proof. The dimensions of the Sutter’s Mill Tool Bag is 15.5”x 12.75” x 8”, with a storage volume of 27-liters.
All in all, I came away very impressed by the quality, design and craftsmanship of United by Blue’s Sutter’s Mill tool bag. I’ve used it as a tool bag, a camera bag, a laptop and briefcase where necessary, and love it. It bridges the gap between a myriad of uses, which allows me to live more simply by relying on the bag for majority of my work and travel needs.
If you would like to learn more about United by Blue, click here.
Article written by Brandon Scott
Product photos by Brandon Scott
(Photo of people walking by pennuja via Flickr)
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