Many times I am asked what inspires me to write. Actually, I never thought about it. My mind is always wrapped around a character that is giving me trouble or a scene that just isn’t quite right. Unfortunately, this happens a lot lately.
So with that question in mind, I sat down and gave it some thought the other day. I’m still baffled by the word ‘inspired’. The more I thought about it the more I began to realize that as a writer I have to write. Dan Poytner, once said, “If you wait for inspiration to write; you’re not a writer, you’re a waiter.” How true.
But what spurs me on to write….It’s something within—can’t quite explain it but the urge to write is always pushing me forward. Many writers are inspired by nature, family, and friends to suggest a few. I guess I’m inspired by other writers who email me or call and by family going through their daily routines. It would be nice if I could inspire my fingers to type a little faster in order to get this next book finished.
Inspiration is all around us, we only have to look for it or feel it. Per writer Natalie C. Markey, “It’s not the word that counts but the smallest thing that can set off your inspirational writer mojo.”
What inspires you to do the things that you do? Write and let me know. I’m curious to hear from you.
Christmas on the Ranch
3 months ago
1 comment:
Hi Gwyn! Interesting post. I've always known that I would write; I think I started my career as a story-teller (complete with characters like Hoppy the Bunny and his pal, Turtle Tom) when I was three (and no, the characters didn't come from the books my mother read to me). Maybe it was all that reading -- first to me, then me to her, then me to myself, that made me start writing the stories down. Now I have stories inside of me that want to get OUT! What inspires a particular story does vary, though. The novel I'm working on started as a dream while I was staying on a reservation one summer, collecting "language" (through storytelling, actually, because lists of words get really boring!). It kept bugging me and bugging me, but life and short stories got in the way. I finished it; got great rejections, and set it aside. Now I'm re-writing it, and hope it will do better this time. If not, I'll self-publish digitally! The smallest things inspire drama in my head; a snatch of overheard conversation, a remark on a nature program, a picture of a place I want to go to -- I'm like a sponge, soaking all these things up! And I'll keep writing as long as I can.
Oh -- and the other thing I do is knitting. If it's simple, I find it relaxing and don't feel like I'm totally wasting my time if I have it in my hands while I watch TV! I look at my little great-niece, and see her in a cute sweater, and I make it! I saw some Central American weaving designs, and turned it into a Fair Isle type sweater. Everything out there is grist for my mill!
And to the previous post, I'm lucky enough to be able to get raw honey from a farm just a few miles away. It's one of the "Pride of Dakota" products. And guess what? My allergies are much less bothersome!
Keep after it -- we all want to read the NEXT book! And you continue to inspire me, always.
Lori
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