Some of you may begin the day now with your own form of "words of inspiration." Maybe you read a devotional or do morning pages. Some people read a particular blog or sit out on their deck with coffee and watch the birds (and other wildlife depending on where you live) in their own backyards. I've seen all these posts on Facebook and Twitter, and love to see what inspires other writers. I've kept it no secret that I've had a hard time for over a year now with inspiration and fiction writing, and so inspiration is currently on my mind. I am being led a different direction with my writing and continue to be inspired by making plans for a new blog that could turn into more. Stay tuned, because if I ever turn these plans into reality, you all will be the first to know.
Anyway, let's talk a little about what inspires you!
Is it. . .
Nature?
Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon by Joe Kopp (See more at joekoppart.com)
Your family?
My daughter & friend at the Magic House in St. Louis
Other Works of Art?
Photo book by Sheree & Russell Nielsen; Painting by Irina (Henri Edmond Cross-Antibes-Afternoon)
I would love to hear what inspires you. Currently, I have a bulletin board full of notes I write myself, in hopes that I follow my own advice, and I start that blog I'm beginning to feel inspired to write. Here's a glimpse:
So please share with us: What inspires you to write? Do you use "words of inspiration" in the morning to help with your creative process?
Margo L. Dill is a published children's author, writing teacher, and editor. She teaches the novel writing class for WOW! Women On Writing, which is another form of inspiration--teaching and learning.
Margo--This was thought-provoking. It varies (thankfully). Sometimes it's a bit of conversation I overhear. Sometimes it's the discussion that happens during a writing critique session--a remark is made or an anecdote is shared which jars my memory bank. Sometimes it's the same prompts that I use with my students that prompts ME to write.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Margo, as usual.
Being in nature, having time to think (like in the shower because than ideas come to me), life experiences, family, positive comments from others, and reading other good writing or blog posts help inspire me.
ReplyDeleteSioux: I agree it varies. I think that's why the words of inspiration idea my teacher had worked so well and I am still writing about it over 25 years later. Because all the different students did their own version of this, we all were inspired by different stuff and surprisingly inspired by each other. :)
ReplyDeleteTheresa: Having time to think! Yes, I guess that is why so many of us have good ideas in the shower.
Margo, I like the idea of word inspiration! I'm going to try that. I wonder if it's better in a group though.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired to write by a lot of things, but I've noticed that the thing that inspires me the most is people. A conversation with someone or a memory of someone and the time we spent together. For example, my two writing inspirations this week: emailing back and forth with a wow subscriber who was asking for my advice inspired a blog post; a Facebook friend request from a girl I haven't seen since she lived in my guest room one summer in high school inspired a short story, not only about her but about all the people who've lived in that guest room over the years.
I love that you got me thinking about where my inspiration comes from because I honestly didn't think about it until you wrote this post!
Thanks, Ang! It was fun to put this post together. I love that you let us know what inspired you this week!
ReplyDeleteThe beach, the ocean, nature, birds, paying it forward, my cat and canine kids...that's what inspires me.
ReplyDelete