Sometimes I think my barrier to writing is one I create myself: the misguided need to find huge blocks of time to allow creative juices to flow. Try that with a family, a business, and a yard to mow.

Instead, I find that being in wild places allows one to shed some of the junk of civilized life. Strip that away, live simply with fire and coffee, and inspiration seems to flow easily enough, requiring much smaller blocks of time.

Photo: June 22, 2008, by Big Bear Creek Montana: in the throes of writing the new manuscript.