The Push-Pull of Being Inspired
When Misha asked me to contribute something today centered on the topic of INSPIRED, I had to really stop and think. I mean a lot! Inspiration is such a broad topic, which is a good thing in one respect because it gives me a lot of leeway, but on the other hand it’s a topic so expansive, so impactful, that it can be daunting. So what I decided to do is not discuss what it is that inspires me, at least not directly, but rather how it is I become inspired. And staying within the context we all can relate to, I’ll be concentrating on writing-related inspiration. What I discovered after careful consideration is this…for me, it generally happens from two totally different directions.
First and foremost, there’s the pull. When I become aware of a author I want to be like, or I come across a novel, short story, article, or even a well done blog post that I yearn to emulate in my own unique way, I am drawn…pulled…towards that goal. I become imbued with the spirit to do something beyond my current reach, to re-define myself in order to align with that purpose. Feeling pulled by inspiration via the accomplishments of others motivates me to expand my boundaries. I may not ever demonstrate the skill or touch I aspire to, but I will be end up in a different spot than I started. And maybe that spot will even be better than the one I originally aimed for.
But I also respond to a different sort of inspirational influence. This is more of a push…or a better description would be a nudge. I draw inspiration from the people around me who urge me along my writing path, who’ve invested in me, who sometimes believe in me more than I believe in myself. My family, who’s unconditional support should never be taken for granted, the CP’s who can’t wait to see the next set of pages, the beta readers who don’t understand why my book isn’t published yet, this awesome community of bloggers/writers who actually care whether I succeed or fail. An example of this happened to me just a couple weeks ago. I left a comment for one of the regular bloggers I follow and she responded with a thank you and an inquiry about where I was with a new YA project I had previously mentioned. It had really piqued her interest and was looking forward to reading it. Not a day or two later my CP asked me the same question. These are both people I admire and respect, so naturally I was inspired by this. It invigorated me enough to write the first three chapters this past weekend.
For me, being inspired is all about movement and progress. If your open to it, that can come from all sorts of different directions.
I want to thank Misha for giving me a chance to talk to ya’ll today. But before I head on back to my own roost, I’m curious, how do you draw inspiration?
DL
Great post, DL! (And Misha)
ReplyDelete*waves*
Agree that CP's and readers are always great sources of motivation...for me inspiration or new ideas often come while driving or in the shower...I suspect this is because as a mom of a toddler, those are the few times I'm alone enough for my mind to wander...
TGIF you two! And happy writing...
Hey Kristi!! My favorite ALONE time comes in the hot tub at the health club. All of my best idea's happen while I'm sitting in bubbles! :)
DeleteTGIF for you as well!
Yes, great post! Agree that the community here is inspiring. I wouldn't be working on a third book if it wasn't!
ReplyDeleteDitto! I wouldn't be working on a YA Horror/Suspense were it not for the blogosphere!
DeleteEnjoy your weekend! :)
I can seriously relate to that pull-push idea!
ReplyDeleteThe first PULL for me is the story idea itself with all its potential and the characters who are strangers at first, but become more and more dear to me as the project develops.
But that kind of inspiration doesn't last and, for me at least, is punched full of holes by DOUBT. Major DOUBT.
Luckily -- as you said -- we have the PUSH from our CPs and blogging friends. I often need to be pushed uphill for quite a ways, especially in the first draft. I'm not sure I would've kept going on my current project if it wasn't for a CP telling me repeatedly it was the most exciting thing I'd written since (fill in name of another project she really liked).
Thanks for a great guest post!
The DOUBT is diluted by the push from others. I believe that the longer we are in this business, the more important that type of inspiration becomes. At some point the support of our fans joins the pushing ranks!
DeleteThat push/pull is definitely there for me too. Every time I read, I want to create words to help others get lost in. Every time a movie/tv show pulls me in I want to do that too. :)
ReplyDeleteBut not everyone does something about it, or takes it serious enough. You, me, and the others see things just a little bit differently! :)
DeleteWhat a neat perspective!
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by people sharing their writing in all kinds of ways--I love hearing the voice of the author as it filters through the characters and plot lines.
Thanks, DL and Misha!!
Cheryl ~ sometimes my perspective doesn't follow the mainstream. Not always a good thing! :)
DeletePush and pull, I like that, it makes a lot of sense. Great guest post!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was kind of surprised too when I thought about it.
DeleteGreat post! I find inspiration in the oddest moments~ it's those times that I suddenly come up with a piece of dialogue when folding clothes or pushing my daughter on the swing at the playground. It's also when I find a new favorite author and read about how they were once in the query trenches, too. Those are the things that keep me going~ and being encouraged by the blogging community through reading about challenges and successes definitely plays a part as well!
ReplyDeleteAny dialogue I came up with while folding clothes I wouldn't be able to use in my books! :)
DeleteIt's always intriguing to learn about the things that inspires others. Especially when you find similarities.
ReplyDeleteI have my over-arching inspiration in my Chipmunk. But I can certainly see how encouragement from others or reading a great novel can push or pull one toward "doing".
Sometimes its more of a yank! :)
DeleteGreat post! For me, inspiration can come from anywhere.In fact, my WiP was inspired from a song and a movie from the 80's. You never know where they'll come from!
ReplyDeleteI hear you! My current WIP was inspired by a friends Facebook status update! :)
DeleteInspiration to write in general definitely comes from the support and encouragement from my husband and kids. Inspiration for particular story ideas is something else though - usually from the strangest places. :)
ReplyDeleteThe strangest places are where the best idea's come from! :)
DeleteNice post DL! (Hi Misha.) I take inspiration wherever and whenever it shows up. My CPs help out a lot with that though - they keep me going when the going gets tough. I do feel the same push when I read a good book though. It's intoxicating.
ReplyDeleteA couple of good CP's will take you a very long way!! :)
DeleteI get so jazzed to write after losing myself in a book or seeing a really great movie. Cool guest post.
ReplyDeleteI get more jazzed from reading a book or seeing a movie that afterwards has me thinking..."if only they had did it this way." :)
DeleteHi DL, super post. I love to learn about how other writers are inspired. Yes, the writing and blogging community is extremely supportive and generous. Its wonderful being a part of it.
ReplyDeleteOur community is the gift that keeps on giving and giving! :)
DeleteReading the journey of other writers is an inspiration to me to keep going on. I am also inspired by the progress of others, and even the tips and organizational skills they use to keep themselves going. Sometimes, it works for me too.
ReplyDeleteI never know when inspiration will manifest, all I can do is be open to it.
........dhole
Good point! You won't receive the signal if your antenna isn't up! :)
DeleteGreat post, DL! I'm inspired to write because I want to do something cool with an idea I had and I continually want to get better via practice. But there's a big difference between doing that in a vacuum and doing it with the support and encouragement of friends. It's definitely a great push and a big help!
ReplyDeleteI've done it both ways...in a vacuum and with support. There's no comparison!! :)
DeleteGreat post! I can relate to what you're saying. I find other bloggers who have commited to the W1S1 challenge are inspirational because after many many rejections we are all seeing some successes and that is a huge boost. Having people who support your work is a huge inspiration, I agree.
ReplyDeleteWithout the people who support me it be like floating in space, with no sense of direction or continuity. They are my foundation and guiding force. :)
DeleteExcellent thoughts, DL. I'm inspired now by the response of others to my speaking appearances and books. I feed off that energy.
ReplyDeleteThat's where I hope to reach someday. Feeding off the energy of the people I'm writing for. :)
DeleteNice posting and I agree. Like Mother Theresa said, "When the world says you can't, Just Do It Anyway" Enjoyed reading.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Don! I think having like minded friends is helpful in keeping you on track. It's great having online cp's, but there is something to be said for in person writing friends too. I think that's why going to conferences is so important.
ReplyDeleteI usually get inspired while I'm at the gym working out...something about getting in the 'zone' physically opens up my mind and imagination.
ReplyDelete