by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: May 27, 2009   Last Updated: August 10, 2010

What better place to inspire a writer, than a backyard, especially a backyard full of the wonders of nature.  I remember when I had a backyard that offered me many writing opportunities. A respite from writing is what backyards became to me. It can become one of you, as well. If you are tired, lacking writing ideas, and are bored, go outside, look around and see what is out there that can turn you on to writing. If you are an apartment dweller, then take a walk and look at others' back yards and their gardens. Think as you walk along and try to imagine what kind of people live inside. Are they neat and tidy, orderly or are they nonchalant and live somewhat haphazardly. It does not matter really, because once you turn the corner some other attraction will take over your mind and will, in no time, have you settled on that perfect gardening article to write.

Backyards offer much more than gardening articles, although most ideas will be about some natural subject rather than what to buy, how to dress for a stroll in your garden, or do you or do you not long for days past when you could get your hands in the dirt now and then. Oh yes, why not a page or two about nostalgia? You can remember, on the keyboard, of course, about days when you divided your day up with learning how to garden with learning how to write. Although you never mastered either, you like thinking back now and then to when you had the choice of one over the other.

The next day, after having written your nostalgia article, you look at your backyard and your mood has somewhat shifted toward the now. You chalk that up to your having gotten over the 'remember when' time and brought yourself back to the present. Both life and backyards offer much better opportunities for writing if we live in the here and now. On this particular day, you are observing the containers and how each lends itself to the flower arrangements or does not. You take note of how the small space you have can be utilized by combining both flowers and plants.

Get into recycling and see how many wondrous ways you can create writing ideas by simply wandering around in your garden. This will put you in a mood to create. As an example,  with nothing much to work with, you wander over to the dumpster in the alley and pull out a interesting old bucket that would make a good pot for the nasturtiums you would like to plant. In no time the leaves will cascaded down the side of the garden shed and no one will be the wiser for the pot. Again, you have found your subject matter for that article you want to write for Birds and Blooms. You have noticed they are into recycling and you, hopefully, you will give their readers a few pointers on how to use left over containers for flowers and birdhouses and whatever other backyard need they may have.

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