How Walking Is A Valuable Source Of Inspiration For Writers
There are many famous writers known for their walking routines. It seems like getting those steps in wasn't just good for their health, but also for their creativity!
For many days, and now even weeks, it has been raining without respite. A day or two of sunshine — and then the rain returns. Along with the rain, the cold also returns.
Yesterday, the forecast was for a sunny day, and I decided to return to a road I had traveled a few days ago to see a very beautiful waterfall. I just visited it some years ago in the summer, but then it was a small non-interesting stream. Now it is magnificent!
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On Sunday, the majority of inhabitants of small and large cities try to go outside. Some have a house in the mountains, others take out their motorbikes, and bicycles or walk on foot — important is to enjoy the beautiful days.
The road I took passes high up the mountain and in some places, there are really beautiful views. Since I wanted to take photos, I noticed that there were cars stopped in places where I wanted to stop, too, and people were doing some stretching in the sun.
Looking at all this beauty, while in my heart singing praises to creation, it occurred to me to check if this was the activity used for inspiration by writers, and famous people.
Here is what I discovered:
Walking has long been a favored activity for many writers and creative individuals seeking inspiration, since the act of walking not only provides physical exercise but also stimulates the mind and encourages creative thinking.
Charles Dickens
the renowned Victorian novelist was a dedicated walker, known to cover extensive distances daily. He believed that walking helped him clear his mind and generate ideas for his novels. Dickens incorporated long walks into his daily routine, sometimes walking up to 20 miles (ca. 32 km) a day. He found that these walks were instrumental in sparking his creativity and aiding his writing process.[Psychology Today, To Become a Better Writer, Be a Frequent Walker].
Virginia Woolf
Similarly, Virginia Woolf, the influential modernist writer, also drew inspiration from walking. She would often take long walks around her London home, using this time to reflect, brainstorm, and jot down ideas in a notebook. Woolf considered walking essential for her creative process, as it helped her unravel thoughts, overcome writer's block, and find inspiration for her work. Some of her most famous works are believed to have been influenced by the ideas she pondered during these walks, often taken with her husband Leonard. [James Clear, The Daily Routines of 12 Famous Writers]
One of the modern marketers studied the working routines of many writers (I don’t know the exact numbers). They mentioned that almost 95% of their writing occurs while they are walking.
For these and other writers, walking served as more than just a form of exercise—it was a vital component of their creative routines, enabling them to connect with nature, clear their minds, and find the inspiration needed to produce their literary masterpieces.
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