Happy June! It's hard to believe we're almost halfway through 2017. Right now, I'm trying to tie up lose ends in my writing obligations before my children are off for summer holidays. No matter how I set goals for myself during July and August, I hardly ever meet them. So, I'm trying to get as much done now, and whatever I accomplish over the summer months is a bonus.
Now, onto the topic for today's post, finding inspiration in new places. I don't know about other authors, but I'm a very routine-oriented person. I see the same people and places day after day, week after week. Every now and again, something changes or is new, but that's usually completely accidental and only lasts until I can get back into my routine.
Sometimes, I have to plan something completely different, something new that I've never tried or experienced before. I did that two weekends ago, and now I'm filled with story ideas that are making it hard to write my current work in progress.
What did I do? I went rugged...
On June 3, I joined several hundred people to run the Rugged Maniac course at Chicopee Ski & Summer Resort in Kitchener. I went there with a smaller group of close to 30 people from the studio where I take fitness classes.
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| Team Inspired before running the course. |
Some had run the race before, but many of us hadn't. Except for what we'd read online, and what many of us had trained for, we didn't know what to expect. But, we were ready to do it together.
The one thing I did notice is that there were people there from many walks of life; different races, religions, and body types. Everyone was welcome to participate.
And as an author, my muse started running wild. While many races ran the first elite heat, many more participated simply for the fun of it. And throughout the 5k, 25 obstacle course, people helped each other, whether they knew them or they were a stranger. We went through mud, lots of mud, over walls, leaped over trenches, crawled under barbed wire, climbed many obstacles, and got very wet and dirty. I have three basic story ideas already based on this race. Like I didn't have enough stories planned. LOL Anyway, here are some more pictures from the event...
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| Commando Crawl - crawling through muddy water under barbed wire |
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| Warped Wall - I made it up, but needed help to get over |
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| Mount Maniac |
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| Accelerator 3.0 - a giant water inflated water slide |
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| Crossing the finish line felt so good. |
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| Team Inspired after the course. |
While I was a bit bruised and scratched up after the course, I definitely want to run it again. Not only was it so much fun, I also need more story inspiration. Maybe by next year, I'll find time to fit in writing those stories. ;)
Jessica E. Subject is the author of science fiction romance, mostly alien romances, ranging from sweet to super hot. Sometimes she dabbles in paranormal and contemporary as well, bringing to life a wide variety of characters. In her stories, you can not only meet a sexy alien or two, but also clones and androids. You may be transported to a dystopian world where rebels are fighting to live and love, or to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.
When Jessica is not reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to go to fitness class and walk her Great Pyrenees/Retriever her family adopted from the local animal shelter.
Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers.
That looked like a lot of fun, Jessica. I admire your dedication and endurance. How great that people helped each other. Congrats on the new story ideas. Enjoy the kids this summer. They grow up too fast.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun! We're getting a team together to do it again next year. :) Thank you, Diane! Yes, it was wonderful to see, brought back my hope for the world. Oh, do they ever grow up fast. I'm hoping we'll all experience new things this summer as a family. :)
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