Recharging Artistic Batteries

I'm having a nice weekend. The girls are sleeping in this morning. They need it. Caitlin has a cold that made her on and off barfy all week, and rarelylynne is still recovering from her eye Shingles. As you might guess, I didn't get a lot accomplished last week. I revised a short story, but that's about it.

Friday night I went to a show at The House Cafe in town with my friends Sarah and David. The Headlights headlined with a couple of local bands. There are times I forget how much I love getting out to see a concert. It was a night of fun, loud power pop that really recharged me.

In the middle of the Headlights set, my brain finally made some important connections for a short story idea that I've been goofing with for the last few weeks. I had to run to the front of the house mid-song to find paper and pencil to get down my notes.

I can't speak for other writers, but it amazes how important it is for my writing to get exposure to other art forms. Some of my best stuff comes to me while I'm watching a documentary, listening to music, or walking through a museum.

Does this happen to the rest of you?