I had been going through a creative block for some time. I felt like all stories had already been told, all experiences had already been felt. So, nothing inspired me, nothing captivated me. When given the opportunity to go to London for a month, I immediately took it and decided I would attempt to find stories anywhere I went. Stories through beauty and unfamiliarity. Because sometimes our brains simply need a reboot, something out of our routines in order to start up again.
Throughout the various places in London I went to, I’ll focus on a few I found to be creative startups. They are also places I recommend going to if you ever find yourself in Central London.
Chelsea Physic Garden
Probabaly one of my favorite places ever, this large garden is literally a breath of fresh air. Whether youre sitting down on one of the many benches or outside coffee area, or walking around its different quadrants, youre bound to feel relaxed or healed. Just liked the name suggests.
When I saw this I immediately had an idea of some sort of fantasy based world. Even though its very rock based and kind of dry, I imagined a world where tiny creatures live among the leaves. Focusing more on the rock aspect of it, it can also be an area where elves live and they themselves put this sign up.
When I was walking around one of the green houses, I kept bumping into this butterfly, so I decided to take a picture of it. But I am not particularly fond of them so a story idea I got from this was “bully butterflies.” They would be the villains in my tiny creature, leaf village. Constantly flapping their wings, causing destruction due to not caring about where they fly toward. They would also enjoy taking pieces of homes from these tiny creatures.
I also liked the leaves on these flowers. Especially the smaller ones, barely growing. They look like little bowls or almost cocoons. I can see them being “roads” for this village. The tiny creatures will be able to travel from leaf to leaf, jumping and sliding across them. Due to their bowl like aspect and rough feel, they would be a good safety measure.
This little walkway just looked so magical and enchanted. Almost like its calling out to you. Setting based, I think it could work well as a sort of trap in a magical forest. It could actually even just be in a backyard. Where some people exploring the woods come across it and immediately are drawn to it. Yet they don’t know that crossing it may lead you to somewhere you do not want to go to. Or the leaves and flowers on it could release some type of odor that affects those passing by.
Leighton House
In the Leighton House, I was immediately drawn to the colors and very specific detailing along the walls and ceilings. They are not something you commonly see in a home in most time periods. So, in my perspective, this home can be said to be Sir Leighton himself. Every color, carving, and even reflection was something Leighton wished to have in his home. It wasn’t just placed randomly but it was something he planned and saw a vision for when people would visit.
These two places were able to tell stories without actually having writing. We as the visitors simply see and create our own stories and assumptions based on all the decorations, colors, and formatting. And I think that just goes to show how details are the story itself. Without details there is no emotion, no imagination.
The British Library
In the British library, rather than focusing on a specific piece of script or stamp. I thought the people there were really interesting. Hundreds of stories from people of all ages, doing different things, at different stages of life.
When in line to get my library card, the man behind me began to speak to us. He told us he was from Shanghai and was temporarily here for a few months in order to prepare for a work move. He would soon be moving to London and wanted to start set-ups earlier. This man was no longer just a guy standing in a line. But someone awaiting a major change in their life. This library card was simply one of his first steps.
As we went along our tour and saw a few behind the scenes moments, I also began to imagine the story that is maintaining and keeping up with all of the books and information they have in the library. At first it can simply just be qualified as a job. But once we learn that there are specific people designated to specific genres and how complex and careful maintenance is, we now have a story with some tension.
McDonald’s
Even in McDonald’s inspiration can be found. Maybe because it was in London and not my local McDonald’s who has my order practically memorized.
But on this occasion, I was extremely tired, my phone was nearing its death, and I just wanted an iced Coke. For those who may not know, London is not known for its iced drinks. Most drinks are served “cold” or room temperature. But I for some reason, had imagined that this iced coke would be just like the one at home. After taking a sip and being flooded with immense disappointment, I then found the situation to be pretty funny and got an idea like you have seen above. I went on my phone which had just barely charged at all, went to the notes app and wrote this short, raw story. Officially, I had gained back a bit of my whimsical, odd creativeness and wrote something.
A Room Temperature Experience
“367”
“367”
“Order number 367”
Late afternoon, the exact time unknown as my phone had died. The smell of fries and nuggets layered over the trash on the sidewalks. The McDonalds was much smaller on the inside than I had expected.
“Thank you”
I see the man preparing my order. He looked just like me. Tired. Eyes beginning to droop. No smile in sight. Not even a slight smirk. His dark grey uniform harmonizing with his monotone voice and dark brown eyes. It was bright outside yet where he was standing, a shadow completely covered him.
“Please be good”
“Please be good”
“Pleaseeee”
“My god where are the ice cubes”
This was my last hope. The only thing that could save me was this large, iced Coke. Yet it was neither large, nor iced. Simply Coca-Cola in a cup. A nasty, gasless, non-iced coke.