Changing of the seasons, and other ramblings

I'm ridiculously excited about the coming fall. Not that it's terribly dramatic here, other than the fact that we finally wind up leaving the scorching 100+ temperatures behind. It's more that we wind up with cool mornings in the 50s and 60s, and then the rest of the day is gorgeous.

I suppose that just leads me into the right frame of mind to keep writing. When I don't have to worry about being overheated, or about the electric bill because the a/c is running 24 hours a day, then I can sit down, relax with a good warm drink, and let the ideas flow. Not to mention go hiking in the mountains, where creativity is just waiting to happen!

Where do you guys like to go for inspiration?

I remember when I was younger, and my grandmother would take me and my sister on vacations almost every year. One year we went to Colorado, and I want to say it was at or near the Garden of the Gods. There was a Camel Mountain, and I was an artist back then. I brought my sketchpad and charcoals and colored chalks, and sat and drew. While the others explored, I drew. And then I had a gentleman come over to admire my work and offered to buy it. Excited beyond reason, I offered the bargain price of a mere $25. (I was probably 12 years old, maybe 14, so it was a-freaking-mazing.)

Sadly, the gentleman never reappeared, and I never sold that drawing. However, it now hangs in my hallway as a reminder that great things can happen at unexpected moments, not to mention that inspiration is everywhere.

I promise, there was a point to my nostalgic story.

So my words of wisdom for the day are: look for the inspiration around you. Whether it's glaring at you in a movie that inspires you to take an idea down a road less traveled, or you happen to be out for a walk and find something moving in the air. Take it, and run with it. Keep a notepad with you and jot down your ideas. Or a voice recorder--how outdated, I know! I always keep some sort of notepad with me so I am able to take notes if I need.

A week and a half until Las Vegas! My sister is completely going crazy and promoting me to her friends out there, and so is my brother in law. Love you guys! Can't wait to make a splash!

Maggie