Writing by Candlelight
If you haven’t written by candlelight at least once in your lifetime then shame on you!
Do any of you remember that stupid KFC commercial? You know, the one where a family is enjoying a candlelit dinner during a power outage? With storm raging outside, the father brings a bucket of KFC home to his family. They all sit there laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Suddenly, the power comes back on. Fun over. What is the father’s solution? Turn the lights back off of course!
One of my favourite ways to get my creative juices flowing is writing in quiet candlelight. I turn off every electronic device I own. I pull out a pad of paper, a loyal pen and find all the candles we have in the house. Time doesn’t seem to exist anymore. I am alone with my story, and that’s all that matters.
Young Man Reading By Candlelight - Oil on Canvas - Matheius Stom
There is something inherently magical about writing in candlelight. It’s a return to absolute simplicity. The candle reaches only you, and your paper. The world outside is now shrouded in darkness. You and your craft are finally alone.
Lovers shut off the lights, and hide away from the world to be with each other. If you don’t want to know every intimate detail of your story, then why are you writing?
Prepare an evening for yourself and wait for nightfall. Turn off your cellphone, your computer, and your television sets. Don’t listen to your iPods, don’t leave the phone on the hook, and turn off absolutely every freaking electronic device.
Congratulations. You are now completely alone with your story.
Terrified? Don’t worry. In the silence and stillness of your work, a candle can light up your creativity. It is a visual reminder that we as artists always keep a candle burning for our craft. A writer never stops thinking about writing.
Be alone with your story. Calm your inner distractions, and focus on the writing task at hand.
Let creativity be your vigil.
Light a candle.
Unfortunately, I can’t do that. I live with my parents so it just wouldn’t work.
October 17, 2011 at 6:07 PM
I totally agree about switching off and moving away from all those distractions. Love the idea of candle light but not sure if my eyes are up to it
August 25, 2012 at 2:35 PM
August 25, 2012 at 2:41 PM
All I hear is “can’t” lol – So go to your bedroom and shut the door? Unless Candles are a forbidden item in your house? Wait till they go to bed, or wake up an hour early. There’s more than one way to skin a cat you know
October 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM
This is one of my tricks as well. Though my handwriting is atrocious so I cave and allow the laptop, though I turn the contrast way down so it is barely illuminated. But even with a baseball game filtering through the wall from the next room, the dog snoring at my feet and the kiddo asleep upstairs, somehow the darkened room creates the feeling of alone, even when I’m not.
I also appreciate the post on the recommended reading – I’m always looking for something new to read.
This is a great blog, and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read so far…and I’m following it now so I’ll be reading more. Glad you stumbled upon mine so I could in turn find yours! Thanks!
October 17, 2011 at 11:44 PM
Thank you so much Rant Rave Write!
I’ll be uploading another book review soon so please come back
Also, I highly appreciate your words on how even with challenges of distractions facing you, a candle can still illuminate your way to your creativity. One of the biggest problems writer’s face, is not being able to be adaptable to the challenges that face us.
=) You’re a star!
October 19, 2011 at 2:27 AM