Since I began writing full time, I am often asked how I keep my imagination alive to create on a daily basis.

I don't have a definitive answer to this question, however I do know what I love, what I enjoy, and what I like absorbing, so I decided that I would create a post to explain some of the things that I use to keep me feeling inspired.

1. Books.
This may seem like an obvious one when you consider that I am a writer, but when I say books... I mean BOOKS. Serious books. Books that you would have run away from when you were younger. The kind of book a teacher would have liked you to read. The kind of book that is basically homework.
At the moment I am really enjoying marketing and brand building books, which is something I never thought I would hear myself say... But here we are... :P

2. Love
Being a romance writer I suppose that this isn't too surprising either? However, you would be surprised at how many people I speak to who although they write in the genre, they don't have a lot of love for love itself. Personally, I am the complete opposite. Love inspires me daily. And not just romance, all kinds of love. To quote one of my favorite Disney movies... "The people you love will change you..." - I believe that they will also inspire you in the best possible ways <3

3. The Great Outdoors
There is nothing more liberating and refreshing that taking a break from the computer screen and heading outside. I know not all of us are blessed with the beautiful countryside on our doorstep (myself included) but there really is no excuse. Even in the center of London there are parks aplenty and it would be a shame not to immerse yourself in some natural beauty every once in a while. I find it really helps clear the head and brings me back to feeling fully focused.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini - The Abduction of Proserpine (1622-1625)

4. Art
I'm a big art lover. From the renaissance to now, I can't get enough of visual wonder. I have so much respect and admiration for artists, of how they can create something from nothing and turn it into such beauty. I'm particularly fond of marble sculptures, and the likes of Gian Lorenzo Bernini - the amount of emotion and drama he brought to his creations are like nothing I have ever seen. I particularly love his sculpture of The Abduction of Proserpine - a favorite Greek Myth of mine.

5. Memory
Being a writer, I have a pretty good memory. I think it's part of a writer's job to pay extra attention to the world around them, to collect and store that information, and to turn it into something special. I feel things deeply and I am always grateful for experience. This is why I believe memory is truly one of the most inspiring things that we can have. It is a link to our past, to what has made us who we are, and it is something that we can always call upon to spark our creative fires.

There are so many things in this world that are inspiring, and I will share 5 more things that inspire me very soon. What are yours? I'd love to know :) Leave me comments below...
Love Kassandra x