Where do you go to clear your head enough to write?

Long walks by the beach, through the woods, around the block or sitting in the garden? I like to go somewhere I can see for miles, it reminds me that the possibilities have no limits. Somewhere you can forget about the bills and the housework or the job. Someplace that’s just for you.

In every setting, I imagine what it would have been like a couple of hundred years ago, or what it may be like after a few more centuries have passed by. What would it be like to try and survive right here in this place with no money, having to hide from the authorities? What if you met an eccentric traveller that turned out to be a relative or an alien. Anything really, I just let my mind wander and throw a few ‘What ifs?’ at it.

I like to have someone there to throw these ideas at, it’s ok to get laughed at or inspired or maybe their ideas are wilder than yours? No matter, it’s fun to share and I do enjoy getting out there and imagining the next story.

I also collect characters along the way, that old man with the ice-blue eyes, the cute kid with her balloon chasing a dog on the beach, anything really I just look for what makes someone stand out to me. Figure out what got my attention and make a note to use that in a story sometime.

Where do you go?

Amanda xxx