It’s Sunday, so let’s talk about inspiration. Here’s Webster’s definition of the word:
in·spi·ra·tion
- a breathing in, as of air into the lungs: inhaling
- an inspiring or being inspired mentally or emotionally
- an inspiring influence; any stimulus to creative thought or action
- an inspired idea, action, etc...
- a prompting of something to be written or said
THEO—a divine influence upon human beings, as that resulting in the writing of the scriptures.
Two great Jack London quotes:
~~ You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.
~~ I wrote a thousand words every day.
I am a walking light bulb. Ideas, I got a million of ‘em. What comes first though, does the inspiration spur the work, or visa-versa? For me—it happens both ways. If I’m not inspired I make myself sit down anyway. I usually find that my motor kicks in and I’m off. It’s a rare occurrence when I don’t kick into gear. Not that I haven’t been sidetracked. The blogging gig, it’s a time-consuming enterprise, to be sure. I’ve got to come up with an idea, write my own blog, and visit other blogs, then there’s the links and so on and so forth. Pretty soon a couple/three hours have gone by. I can hardly believe how the time flies online.
It’s a cold hard fact, learning about writing won’t make someone a good writer—writing makes a good writer. You’ve got to make the time. You’ve got to write your guts out. Then you have to throw most of what you’ve written away. And then you have to sit your weary self down and write some more.
It’s not lost on me, certain skeptical people out in the real world think I’m nuts because I spend so much time in front of this computer screen. For me it’s a portal to other worlds, not only the world of my own over-active imagination, but other's worlds too. I get to connect with other writers and readers. What an honor! That you come and read what I've written is always a source of great joy. I value your visits more than you will ever know. And, I learn something everyday from visiting all your blogs. Every single day. Like breathing out and breathing in. Thanks for being there. Know this, you are all are a constant source of inspiration, varied and nuanced.
All Rights Reserved. © 2009 by Elizabeth Bradley.
21 comments:
Such a good post, Elizabeth :)
Luckily, I also am rarely in a position where I need to search for inspiration. Rather, I need to search for the time to get my inspirations down!
I love that 1st Jack London quote - I've used it in my classroom sometimes. It's a great image!
This was an inspiring post! I love the quotes and know there is trith in them. I hope my comments count in the writing of a thousand words a day... But, cheating in writing only cheats the writer!
Thanks for your kind visits and good food for thought here!
That's so true: "writing makes someone a good writer." I struggle with sitting down to write if I'm not inspired first. That's something I need to work on. Thanks for this great post. It really encouraged me!
Great post! I wasn't familiar with the Jack London quote, but I completely agree with him. My muse and I aren't on speaking terms. :) I have to write anyway.
Isn't the writing community wonderful? So supportive and happy to share info. I get so much from your blog, too--and your kind comments on mine!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
And then after writing your guts out, there's all the editing and revisions. Next is the marketing and selling. We're masochists! :)
I feel the same way about all the wonderful online connections.
Yep! Writers write. That's how we define ourselves. It is easy to get lost and forget that. Thanks for being one of the people who reminds me. Maybe we should rest lest on our muses and let our muses free! Inspire each other to write not have ideas. think that'll work????
Oh, so true. We can read all the books out there about the craft, but when it comes down to it, we need to write, and write again, and then some more, finetuning and whittling and polishing over and over again. "Writing makes a good writer." Beautifully said.
Amen! Preach & teach it sister!
You said it all beautifully.
Tag, you're it LOL
Aloha, Friend!
Comfort Spiral
My sentiments exactly. Blogging is a form of writing, more autobiographical and personal. Where would you get so many different points of view?
You have hit the nail right on the head, Elizabeth!! You've got to put the time in, but time flies when you're having fun, right? Thank you for being there, too! Cheers!
Sometimes I wonder if something is wrong with me because honestly, blogging can easily take about four hours of my day...and I don't really have four hours but I love reading, commenting and being a part of the community, then I have to write...yikes.
Sometimes what I write can take two hours to get it right...
But I love all my readers too and wouldn't change it for the world.
much love
Kind of like drawing. If you want it to come effortlessly, you have to do it every day. Inspired or not.
No, thank YOU, Elizabeth!
Reading your blog is such a highlight of my day. And I'm pretty sure you have a little something to do with inspiring me on a regular basis. I love you!
I'm the same way, usually. I sit down and begin, and then I'm off and running. I might have no idea where I'm headed, but I end up someplace :-)
Love reading your posts. They are enjoyable and inspirational too!
I can't go through a day without visits to my bloggie friends. They keep me writing.
I totally believe that,"writing makes a good writer". Great information.
I too am a well of good ideas.
I have found huge comfort in this wonderful online writing community. How does one write without inspiration, I wonder? I couldn't do it. However, I do wish sometimes my writing was more inspired!
Elspeth
Yes, you must really manage blog time. I've found scheduling some posts in advance helps.
I also agree waiting for the muse doesn't work. I see it sort of like I have to write to find her, a road of words, mostly crap, lie between me and my muse. When I find her, I hear a click and we go on together hand in hand.
Love the quotes; loved this post!
Everything you say, I've felt.
I needed to read this. Just coming out the other end of the tunnel with sick small children. Put up a blog today for the first time in what seems ages. I looked at the chaos my house has descended into and thought if I lack inspiration I just need to write how each item found its way to where it is not supposed to be - how is that for desperate measures. Thanks for encouraging us all.
Right back at you Elizabeth! The time suckage of the blogosphere is the very reason I have given up reading everyday and now take a block of time just one day a week and read/comment. I love doing it too much and end up never getting my own stuff done so I have to limit its existence in my daily world too!
Gratitude is definitely catchy :-]
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