25 Autumnal writerly things to do / author life inspiration
Here in New Zealand, autumn has just arrived, bringing with it all that good comfort food, fresh air, and changing leaves. Not only does it change nature and what we eat, but it also makes me think of all the fun writerly things I could be doing. I thought I’d compile all my ideas so we can all do autumnal things together as writers.
Autumn isn’t quite cold winter, and it isn’t quite summery either, it is a nice in between, where we can still bask on sunny lawns and enjoy the last of the warmth that summer brings. The light is still that bit brighter, and we don’t need to quite pull out our winter wardrobe. As a writer, the change in seasons always inspires me with new scenes, new characters, new stories. It’s a chance to find new inspiration, and try something different. Nothing like the world around us turning into something new to inspire something new in our writing.
What will autumn inspire in your writing? This autumn has brought me to the close of editing the second draft of my book “Swimming with Lupins”, and to the start of the next step. It has brought me to re reading things, looking ahead to the next project, and getting that itch to plan it all. I’ve felt the slowing down too, the quieting of life, which leaves space for our imaginations to run wild. The end of a busy summer seems to hint at the opportunity for more time writing in the future.
Now, about that next project I’ve been pondering. It has actually been sitting in my heart awhile, but the way the leaves are changing, and the summery flowers are fading, has brought the entire aesthetic of this future book to life. It gives me pictures of dense, evergreen forests, a glistening lake of chilled mountain water, and craggy rocks. Is it just me that thinks of mountains when they think of autumn? What new projects are surfacing for you this season?
Well, enough of seasonal talk, let us move on to the things to do as an author this autumn (or whenever in the year you are).
1: Find a spot with falling leaves to write
No way to enjoy autumn like writing in the midst of it’s beauty. Find a lovely orange, yellow, or red tree and get cozy with some blankets and maybe tea in a thermos. Breath in that chilly, fresh, air and find inspiration for your writing in the changing colours.
2: Create an autumnal writing playlist
I love love love music when it comes to inspiring my writing. What if we created a playlist just for this special season? It could be full of the oncoming feelings of winter, and the last hints of summer. Cozy, warm, orange – giving us something new to write to.
3: Make a seasonal inspo board
Grab some old magazines, (you could op shop some if you don’t have any on hand) and create your own seasonal inspiration board. Fill it with all you aspire to this season, and everything your imagination is finding within autumn.
4: Buy some autumnal resources
I’m not a fan of buying things or spending money unnecessarily, but perhaps you’re in need of a little something. Why not make that little something, something autumnal? Even some cute stickers to put on your laptop, or a new writing notebook to jot down new ideas in.
5: Write a poem about autumn
Look without at the change of season and write down a poem describing what you are feeling and observing. Perhaps the poem could be included in a novel you’re working on…or you could share it with a friend.
6: Write autumn in your book
If there is a part in your book that is set in autumn, why not skip there and write a few scenes while you have all the inspiration from your own life? Draw descriptions from out your very window as you find ways to make the season unique and meaningful to your characters.
7: Light lots of candles
Light some candles and start getting cozy in you writing sessions. If you are afraid of burning the house down (drilled into me by my dad growing up – but I still have candles) hang some fairy lights.
8: Collect different autumnal leaves and write a letter to someone
Find several different beautiful fallen leaves, and then write a letter to someone special. Either press the leaves before or not, then tuck them into the envelope with your letter and pop it in the post as an autumnal treat.
9: Write a description of a character using autumn as inspiration
This may sound a little cryptic, but what I mean is to describe someone using autumnal words, pictures and feelings. For instance, perhaps your character has “skin the colour of bare oaks”, a voice like “howling autumn wind”, their coats are always “warm and knitted”, and they remind you of “cinnimon and apple pies”.
10: Order something VERY autumnal
Go to a local coffee shop to write and order the most autumnal things possible. Perhaps that is a chai, and cinnamon bun, or something savoury if you’re unlike me. Sip and snack while you write, enjoying the spices and coziness.
11: Run a seasonal writing retreat
Message a bunch of your friends and tell them it’s time for an autumnal writing retreat. What better time than the slowing of schedules to pop in a time of writing? If you are at a lack for friends who write, why not make it simply an autumnal creative retreat, where people can bring whatever creative project they are working on, whether that be knitting, drawing, or writing. That way, you can be together with other creatives, all inspiring each other.
12: Organise writing calls with a friend
Set up some autumnal writing calls to run through autumn. Make this season dedicated to your creativity. Perhaps the calls are bi weekly, or even monthly. Staying accountable, to a degree, might inspire you to write more and complete parts of your book that you would otherwise just not get done.
13: Write to sunrise and sunset
Now that sunrise and sunset are a little later, and a little earlier, writing to sunrise and sunset might be a bit easier. Getting up to write with the start of the day can be a truly inspiring thing, especially if the colours are amazing. Hearing the birds, seeing those first (or last) rays of sun, while we type away. This could be the time to commit to getting up a little earlier to fit your writing in.
14: Writing walks
Go for writing walks through the falling leaves. Look around at nature and see what it can teach you about writing. Be refreshed by the fresh winds, and golden sunlight. Perhaps listening to that autumnal playlist could be added for special effect.
15: Pick the last flowers
This is one I personally want to complete in the next few days. To pick the last of the flowers and make a pretty something to go on your desk next to where you write. If you don’t have a desk (like me at the moment) perhaps a window sill in your bedroom, or the kitchen table will suffice.
16: Read some writing advice books
I’m not sure I can specify this as purely autumnal, but to me, autumn feels like a reading season. Either borrow some writing advice books from your local library, or buy some online, and read in spare time to encourage you in your writing life.
17: Write with the windows open all bundled up
Open those windows for fresh air and bundle up in blankets and coats as if you live in a stone castle back in the 1700s. Nothing like feeling cozy even with the fresh breeze, and I find cold air makes me stay more awake.
18: Play autumn ambiance while writing
Put on an autumnal ambiance on a speaker, or through headphone. If you have a TV (I’ll have to miss out) you could put a crackling fire, or an autumn scene on the screen. I’m not actually sure what autumnal ambiance would be, but it sure sounds nice, and nothing like peaceful ambiance music or background to increase focus.
19: Draw or paint book art
Draw or paint some book art with an autumnal theme. Perhaps your characters are standing among the orange trees, or among the last of the summer flowers. Maybe the place they live has beautiful poplars around, and it pictured with yellow streaking up from the grassy ground.
20: Google autumnal writing prompts
Perhaps you aren’t in the middle of writing a book, but need some inspiration for something new, or something little to work on. Google (Pinterest is my fav) some autumnal writing prompts. I might even make another post about this, as it sounds so exciting and fun!
21: Brainstorm character names based on autumn
Need some new names for characters? If you don’t need them right this second, they’re always handy to have for later. Brainstorm some new ones, with autumn in mind. Here are some suggestions: Misty, April, Chestnut… now see how many are sparked in your own imagination.
22: Set yourself an autumn writing challenge
Do you need a challenge this autumn? Why not set yourself some goals to complete this autumn. It may not be NANOWRIMO yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your own. Perhaps you’d like to set yourself a daily word count goal, or maybe a more long term goal to do with finishing a part of your book, or getting to a certain stage in the editing process. I think I need to set myself some challenges to be quite honest. I’ve been wanting to start getting up earlier to write for awhile…so I think this is my time.
23: Enjoy the sunshine
Make the most of the sun while it’s here more hours a day. Set up a little writing spot in full sun and bask in the warmth and vitamin D. Perhaps you could write out some of your book by hand laying on the lawn, or even up a tree.
24: Have the scent of autumn while writing
Whether this means a diffuser with essential oils, or some other way of smelling autumn. Find some seasonal smells and have them around the house, and especially where you’re writing.
25: Write a short story where autumn is a person
This could be very interesting. How would autumn act, speak, look, if it was a person? Write a short story, or even just a chapter on autumn, if it was a human.
That concludes my twenty five things to do this autumn as a writer. Hopefully this has been inspiring and encouraging to your writing life, and to you! Check out my other posts if you’d like more author content and advice. Till next time friends, write on.
