Call it passion. Call it purpose. Call it Starbucks.
For me, inspiration comes from the same place that dreams come from. It’s a place beyond understanding, knowing, and controlling. It intersects all aspects of life, particularly my writing world.
Inspiration arrives in dreams, in music, in conversations, and even in memories. Thoughts gather subconsciously until they manifest into words. I never can predict where my ideas will come from and how long they will stay with me. So, with that, I offer the following advice to writers.
10 Tips on embracing inspiration when it strikes:
- Spend time with your species (artists are influenced by other artists).
- Listen. Inspiration surrounds you. Eavesdrop on life (politely).
- Appreciate everything—the beauty in all things, moments & experiences.
- Be wild. Stop making sense and start making nonsense!
- Do not try to force inspiration (forced inspiration is like caffeine—it pumps you up, then you crash).
- Stop hiding (we writers like to hide). Interaction with other human beings is an important source of inspiration.
- Be open to change. And never lose your sense of curiosity.
- Follow your bliss. Do what you love in some form or another.
- Feel your pain. Sing the blues.
- Be yourself.
This post was inspired by a recent writing workshop that we, Restless Writers, attended as part of the Quick Brown Fox series. Workshops are simply one way to inspire and inject life in your writing project(s)—and sometimes, they can even put your manuscript into the hands of a willing agent!
We’re all seeking some form of inspiration in our lives—to feel alive, energized, engaged in meaningful creative activity. What inspires you and where does it come from? We’d love to hear from you.
Beckie
Andrea
bjas
Sharon
Maria
Restless Writers 
Couldn’t resist this quote:
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” ~ Zig Ziglar
Inspiration is the yin to the yang of the act of respiration. To breathe in is to become inspired and filled with the very thing one needs to go forward to the next moment. The deeper you inhale, the more you absorb and the greater the need to expel to the world around you what instantly transforms within you. The yang presents itself in a spent volume requiring immediate expiration — a product that regains its value only once it is beyond you, outside of you. Inspire, expire, inspire, expire. Repeat and live. Breathe deep and thrive!
“If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don’t remove it – I might be writing in my dreams.” ~Danzae
These are lovely suggestions – I’ve printed them out and tacked them on my bulletin board…
L