Writing is much more fun, and it's easier too, when you're inspired. Your writing flows, like water along a burbling stream.
A writer contacted me yesterday, asking about inspiration, and my first inclination was to pooh-pooh it. "Inspiration? That's for wimps!" I grumbled. After all, writers write. Whether you're a full-time or part-time writer, if you hang about waiting for inspiration, you'll be a very skinny writer.
Then I thought about it... It occurred to me that somewhere along the line of 30 years of writing, I've learned to get inspired pretty much on demand.
That's nice for me, you may be thinking, but wait.
I made a list of what inspires me.
You may find it useful. Or not. :-)
1. Books. I read every day, for several hours, usually for amusement, rather than research. If I don't read for a couple of days, I find that I'm irritable and annoyed. I tend to get crushes on authors. Currently my crush is Ernest Haycox. I've read Bugles in the Afternoon many times, and I reread it whenever I want to be inspired.
2. Images. I love images. Photographs and paintings inspire me. I also like doodling. Images stimulate the right brain (creativity).
3. Music. I used to be able to listen to music while I write; I can't do that now. I need to focus on the music completely. My favorite genre is Early Music; especially the music of the Renaissance. I don't know why, but it's inspirational to me.
4. Walking. Whenever I get stuck, I go for a walk.
5. Meditation. I meditate every day. I do short meditations of a couple of minutes to clear my mind throughout the day as I switch from one project to another. (I use a couple of iPhone apps, they're great.)
What inspires you? Leave a message in the comments, or contact me if you'd rather leave a private message. You can also DM me on Twitter, if you prefer.
A writer contacted me yesterday, asking about inspiration, and my first inclination was to pooh-pooh it. "Inspiration? That's for wimps!" I grumbled. After all, writers write. Whether you're a full-time or part-time writer, if you hang about waiting for inspiration, you'll be a very skinny writer.
Then I thought about it... It occurred to me that somewhere along the line of 30 years of writing, I've learned to get inspired pretty much on demand.
That's nice for me, you may be thinking, but wait.
I made a list of what inspires me.
You may find it useful. Or not. :-)
1. Books. I read every day, for several hours, usually for amusement, rather than research. If I don't read for a couple of days, I find that I'm irritable and annoyed. I tend to get crushes on authors. Currently my crush is Ernest Haycox. I've read Bugles in the Afternoon many times, and I reread it whenever I want to be inspired.
2. Images. I love images. Photographs and paintings inspire me. I also like doodling. Images stimulate the right brain (creativity).
3. Music. I used to be able to listen to music while I write; I can't do that now. I need to focus on the music completely. My favorite genre is Early Music; especially the music of the Renaissance. I don't know why, but it's inspirational to me.
4. Walking. Whenever I get stuck, I go for a walk.
5. Meditation. I meditate every day. I do short meditations of a couple of minutes to clear my mind throughout the day as I switch from one project to another. (I use a couple of iPhone apps, they're great.)
What inspires you? Leave a message in the comments, or contact me if you'd rather leave a private message. You can also DM me on Twitter, if you prefer.
