Sometimes I feel that true creativity only begins when the world around me goes silent.
As a writer and photographer, I often find new ideas while walking alone in nature — especially in the mountains. The rhythm of footsteps seems to free the mind, and thoughts start to form in unexpected ways.
It’s not about isolation, but about reconnecting with what feels essential — sound, light, memory, emotion.
I’m curious how others experience this.
Do you need solitude to create, or do you find inspiration in movement, people, and conversation?
— Franco
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I feel the same,
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Thank you, Adriano — it’s good to know others feel the same.
Silence seems to speak its own language when we create.
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Hi, Franco Decker. I don't need solitude to create, but it helps, and I prefer it being quiet. I find inspiration in movement, people, and conversation too.
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Since I live in a big city, I often use ASMR to zone out and enjoy some "solitude" if only in a cafe corner. But it works pretty well, I've stacked up a nice playlist.
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I love this. There’s something powerful about stillness and rhythm unlocking creativity.
For me, it usually starts with music-not lyrics, just sound. A melody hits me emotionally first, like it’s bypassing my brain and speaking directly to my gut. Then, if I close my eyes, something wild happens: I see the story begin to unfold. It’s like I’m watching a film no one else can see. All I do after that is try to keep up, typing or scribbling as fast as I can to capture it before it fades.
It feels less like creating and more like translating something already alive and waiting.
Curious if anyone else writes like that-through sound first, story second?
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I don’t have specific rituals for coming up with ideas—they just appear suddenly. Especially over the past year, I’ve become completely obsessed with sci-fi, and I feel like my mind is constantly generating new concepts.
Once I find that first spark, I discuss it with ChatGPT, my creative partner, to develop the idea further.
And yes, ChatGPT has pushed my imagination to a whole new level. I’m genuinely happy with all the projects we’ve developed so far.
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Thank you all for sharing your thoughts — it’s fascinating to see how differently creativity awakens in each of us.
Whether through silence, rhythm, conversation, or even ASMR, it’s all about finding that moment when the noise fades and the story begins to breathe.
I love how sound and solitude can both act as doors — each opening to a different kind of inspiration.
Great to exchange ideas with such passionate minds here on Stage32.
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You're welcome, Franco Decker. My favorite time to write is early morning when it's really quiet. What's your favorite time to write and take photos?
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Thanks, Maurice!
It really depends — I’m not an early starter by nature.
Early mornings are for mountain hikes or special photo shoots only.
Most of my photography happens during the day, when the light keeps changing.
But my best writing hours usually come in the early evening — and sometimes they stretch far into the night.
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This is a beautiful post Franco ! I find creativity in solitude as well, so this resonates quite well. I feel like planning a trip now :)
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You're welcome, Franco Decker. Yeah, now that I think about it, the time of day will affect a photo.
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Space, yes, solitude no. The story for my first action/spy book evolved whilst I was stuck in-Transit in Istanbul airport for 14 hours sitting on the floor outside luxury shops, surrounded in chaos.
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I get my creative “bursts” when I swim long distances, usually in a 50 meter pool, sometimes in the Pacific Ocean. it must be the rush of oxygen to the brain, perhaps the monotony of doing laps forces me to get my mind off of the drudgery. Shalom & Aloha from Hawaii. Terry author of Shaloha Gems
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I definitely need some peace and quiet to begin writing, but once I'm on a roll it just keeps going until my brain stops working in the evening. Usually I start in the morning when it's quite. But to think and figure out stuff, I usually walk in the garden up and down, recording nots that I might have on a small voice recorder.
By the way I used to take a lot of landscape photos back in the day, unfortunately don't have that much time now.
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Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and creative rituals — I really enjoyed reading every one of them.
@SwatiChugh You’re right — solitude has its own quiet magic, and a trip sounds like the perfect inspiration.
@MauriceVaughan Light and time truly shape the soul of a photo — each moment tells a different story.
@DavidTaylor Sometimes chaos is the best teacher — I can almost picture that airport scene turning into a great thriller opening.
@TerryChodosh Swimming as a creative trigger — that rhythm and silence must be incredible. Shalom & Aloha from Italy!
@VitalButinar I relate so much — once the words start flowing, time disappears. Walking and thinking really do go hand in hand.
Thanks again everyone — it’s amazing how differently we all find our moments of clarity.
That’s what I love most about this community — so many perspectives, one creative heartbeat.