Four Inspiring Artist Dates You Can Take Around Derbyshire
When life gets busy and hectic, it is often easy for us to forget to make time for ourselves, and do the things we enjoy, and which inspire us.
As writers, this time away from the stresses of daily life is important. Without it, we might be more likely to experience writer’s block and feel less motivated to write – both of which are completely normal to feel! Research suggests that when we take regular breaks from our work and focus our attention on something unrelated, our creative output is increased.
This is where artist dates come in.
What is an artist's date?
Well, as Julia Cameron, a teacher of creative writing in America describes it, the artist date is ‘a once weekly solo expedition to explore something that enchants you or interests you.’ Essentially, artist dates are about taking a break to get back in touch with your creativity, to feed your creative writing by refreshing your inner bank of images and inspiration. Julia Cameron talks more about this in her book The Artist's Way. Regular artist dates can be very beneficial in sparking your creative mind and clearing your head, which can help you come up with fresh ideas and beat that writer’s block.
So, if you’re a Derbyshire local, or just someone passing through, here are four inspiring locations to visit in Derbyshire where you can take an artist date. They might just spark your next short story, help you complete that difficult chapter of your novel, finish that memoir, or even encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and try a new genre!
1. Elvaston Castle
Location: Borrowash Road, Elvaston, DE72 3EP
Elvaston Castle is a fantastic place to visit when you need a confidence boost in your writing or space to clear your head. The castle, which stands as the centrepiece of 321 acres of woodland and old English country gardens, is an early 1800s Gothic-revival stately home originally owned by the Stanhope family and the Earls of Harrington.
We recommend taking a camera and strolling around the gardens. Photograph whatever stands out or speaks to you, or even take a notebook and write down what you’re feeling, everything you can hear, smell and see. Maybe even draw. Whatever comes to mind, write it down and drive right into these raw thoughts and ideas. Don’t be afraid to explore your curiosity! If you’re feeling really adventurous, imagine what it must have been like to live at the castle back in the day.
If you’re also someone who is interested in the genre of horror, then you’re in luck. Some people think the castle could be haunted by ghosts, and it’s this paranormal atmosphere of the castle which inspired J.P. Reedman’s gothic novel Elvingstone.
2. Markeaton Park
Location: Markeaton Lane, Derby, DE22 4AA
If you live in Derbyshire, you have most likely visited Markeaton Park (it does happen to be one of the most popular attractions in the East Midlands). However, if you’re someone who pays great attention to detail, then the park has much more to offer than just what’s on the surface.
Escape into the abundance of green space and wander the winding paths through the trees and around the pond. If you’re lucky, the fairy doors hidden in the trees might just catch your eye. This imagery can help you reminisce back to childhood when inspiration and imagination seemed effortless, and believing in fairies living behind fairy doors - sensible. Use similar fond childhood memories and explore them with fantasy-like imagery in your writing.
There are also lots of activities to try out at the park which is great if you are someone who’s up for trying something new. You could discover a love for tennis, even crafts. Or, if you’re someone who enjoys taking a step back, grab a coffee or cake (or both!) from the café and people spot. It could even inspire a new character for your story or a snippet of dialogue.
3. Dovedale Stepping Stones
Location: Dovedale, Ilam, Ashbourne, DE6 2AY
The Dovedale Stepping Stones have a chance to inspire the next landscape in your creative writing. Located at the bottom of Thorpe Cloud in the Peak District, these picturesque stepping stones cross over the River Dove, home to lots of fish, fossils and other wildlife. You might be tempted to save this date until a sunny day, get ice cream or have a picnic whilst admiring the scenic views. This can be a good creative exercise for developing a convincing sense of place within your writing. Take notice of what’s around you. What makes the scene characteristic? What does the running water sound like? Is there a smell of fresh grass? Try to capture the world on the page.
4. Solomon’s Temple and Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park
Location: Green Lane, Buxton, SK17 9DH
This artist date is definitely not your average one. If you’re up for the challenge, take a journey below ground into Poole’s Cavern and explore the limestone chambers lined with sparkling crystal stalactites (with expert guidance, of course). Then, if you’re still raring to go, walk up through Buxton Country Park to Solomon’s Temple where you can experience a panoramic view over Buxton. In fine weather, you can see for 15 miles!
As you take in the view, reflect on how the experience made you feel. Is it a feeling of freedom? Of exhilaration? Or do you maybe even feel a bit scared? It is good to understand these emotions and feelings, as this could better your articulation of them in future writing. This skill could give the characters you build a more ‘real’ voice and personality.
Finally, remember that the purpose of artist dates is to rekindle your creative imagination and passion for writing, to make sure that writing stays fun and enjoyable, just as it should be. The key is to have fun! Artist dates can be done as often as you like and can involve anything you fancy, there is no pressure, and they might not always be for you.
The next time you come to write and you’re feeling burnt out, exhausted, or you’re experiencing writer’s block or procrastinating, perhaps take a break and try an artist date. If you need even more ideas, you’ll find 101 to choose from here!
The Derbyshire Writing School prompt box can also help to inspire creativity, so you can do your own artist date from the comfort of your own home.
This post has been written by Annabel Herbert
