How daily walks by the sea have influenced my creative writing
I feel the need to address how much walking by the sea has influenced my creative writing process over the years. I hope by reading about my own experiences that you will be inspired to go for a walk and free write in the company of the sea, a body of water, or nature in general.
Every day I promise to make time for walking, no matter the weather. It’s intrinsic to my way of life. I’m lucky enough to live in Brighton, and my nearest walk is right by the coastline. The whole sensory experience of such a ritual is beyond influential to my wellbeing and writing. It helps me feel very grounded and in tune with nature, being more aware of everything around me. People, conversations, emotions, they all impact me in a way that many would take for granted. I can describe exactly how the rain feels on my skin, or how the sun shimmers on the sea, because I’ve experienced it first-hand. This helps me to make my characters three-dimensional because I am able to embody them, or picture them walking by my side, visually aiding my creativity.
I write all sorts of things; poetry, short stories, articles, blogs, and am currently working on a novel, all of which become inherently infused with my love of the sea. I find it fascinating to see the foam frothing, and waves jumping wildly over the path on stormy days and am eternally grateful for those mill-pond seas where I can get out on my paddleboard and glide through the water in the sunshine. It’s gotten to the point where my days aren’t complete without it, and I know where I have to be if my creativity starts waning.
After long days sitting at my desk, as I am currently studying towards an English Literature and Creative Writing degree, it’s nice to get my body and mind moving in the refreshing outdoors. I like to have my phone close by to take notes as I’m walking. These might be simple bullet points, or fully blown sentences of description, but whatever springs to mind, I get it down. I like to walk for at least an hour per day, but ideas usually start coming to me the minute I step out the door. If I’ve got time, I’ll get straight to work in fleshing out all the ideas I’ve had whilst walking when I get home. The whole experience makes me feel like a new woman, refreshed with creativity and an excitement to write. Nothing else makes me feel like this. It's the rhythm of my body, that automatic movement of putting one leg in front of the other. My senses are heightened, yet at the same time I become hypnotic and relaxed.
No matter what kind of day I’m having, however busy I may be, walking always helps me to breathe, de-stress, and allow time for creative free thinking. I must say, my best creative writing has come from experiencing the sea for myself and channelling those feelings, emotions and vivid descriptions into my characters, or whatever else I might be inspired to write that day.
It seems unrealistic to many to write every day, but the natural world has so many wonders to offer that it’s really not as difficult as you may think. It doesn’t matter how/where/when you get out in nature, but next time you do, make a conscious effort to jot down anything you see/feel/hear/smell/taste. The notes app on your phone is usually most convenient whilst walking along, but it’s also great to take a note pad if you’re planning on sitting on a bench and watching the world go by (another excellent idea to spark creativity). Even if you think you won’t use this material, getting your thoughts and language flowing is a great place to start building up your creative mindset. For me, I keep a specific document for small ‘nuggets of description’ I write down whilst walking, many of which are now embedded in various pieces of writing I’ve produced this year. Although I walk the same route each day, it never gets old, and my creativity just keeps on flowing. So, any successes I may ever have, I must owe them all to the sea.
My name is Angelica Blake-Lawson, and I am a 19-year-old student currently in my second year studying English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Brighton. Brighton is my hometown and is very influential to my writing. I am passionate about walking and using nature to influence my creative writing.
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