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Inspiration For Writers

Sunset over Galway with a George B Shaw Quote - inspiration for writersWriters take inspiration in many ways.

Personally, I have always found this George Bernard Shaw quote inspiring.

But, only if I add a little dash after the word creating.

You see I don’t believe that the creation of a ‘self’ is a purpose in life.

I believe the true purpose of life is to create something – that, in turn, will create a self.

INSPIRATION FOLLOWS CREATIVITY

If you spend time making or creating something tangible then you will find yourself more in touch with you are and who you were meant to be.

DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO

You can create, or make anything you want.

It can be art, a design, a house, an experiment, it doesn’t always have to be writing.

For me though, it is writing and only writing.

I love writing and telling stories and I believe it is my primary purpose in life.

bee on scabious flower illustrating an article about inspiration for writersBut I don’t spend my whole life indoors and when I am not writing I am outside in the garden.

I find working in the garden to be a huge source of joy as well as inspiration.

By spending my time creating my stories and working in my garden I believe I am closer to being my true self.

 

THE REAL WORLD

But I live in the real world and I have had to do jobs I hated, or that bored me, in order to survive financially.

In fact, there were some jobs I truly could not stand – working in a factory shoving thousands of metal pins in plastic boxes full of pin-shaped holes anyone?

Good or bad, these experiences informed who I am now.

But I don’t believe the ‘me’ who did those things represents the ‘real me’ or my ‘true self.’

To do those jobs I had to hide the ‘real’ me.

If I hadn’t done that I would have been sacked or mocked, for being ‘up her own arse’ or ‘thinking above her station,’ etc.

Thankfully those days are over and apart from the odd nightmare I like to think they are behind me.

THE REAL ME

Today I am the real me.

I create stories and I work at creating a garden out of my Galway wilderness.

My opinion is that the creation of a ‘self’ happens when you are engaged in a creative pursuit that you enjoy.

I find this idea much more inspiring than obsessing about oneself and talking about getting in touch with yourself etc.

I realize there are many who disagree but that’s okay, we are all entitled to our own thoughts and what you read here are just that – my thoughts.

CREATIVITY CREATES INSPIRATION

I believe that it is creativity itself that creates inspiration – not the other way round.

The more you create, the more you will be inspired.

sedum flowers and pansies illustrating an article about inspiration for writersThink about those times when you created something and felt good.

Didn’t it make you want to create more?

I know there is a whole industry of workshops and seminars you can attend where some guru person will pump you up with ‘inspiring words’ and leave you feeling inspired.

But, how long will that ‘pumping’ last?

Long enough to write a book?

If they are so inspired themselves what are those gurus doing dragging themselves from airport to airport, standing on platforms in hotels talking about inspiration?

Wouldn’t they be too busy creating?

INSPIRATION FOLLOWS APPLICATION

What I do think is that lasting inspiration will arise when you apply yourself to an activity you enjoy.

But, I am realistic enough to know that life has a habit of getting in the way.

If this is you and you are too worried or distracted to do something creative, set a timer and write for ten minutes. Write about why you can’t write.

Inspiration won’t come when you wait for it.

WALKING BRINGS INSPIRATION

Try going for a walk.

I have always found creativity and inspiration arrive to keep me company me when I am out and about walking.

This post about walking for inspiration explains how and why.

When you return from your walk, make yourself a cup of tea or whatever you like, then sit down and get writing straight away.

Don’t think about it – just write.

You don’t have to have the great story already formulated in your head, or have a stock of words ready to drop on the page in fully formed paragraphs.

All you need to do is write something, anything – write about who you met on your walk.

Write about something that might have been happening inside any houses you passed.

If you do this regularly, I promise you your creative thinking skills will improve rapidly.

Inspiration will arrive and you’ll no longer care about finding your real self – you’ll already be real.

Bye for now.

Grace


 DON’T BE STUCK

Many writers will say that the hardest thing to face is that blank page. But not if the page isn’t blank!

Try these Practical Creative Writing Exercises and start writing now.

You won’t be able to stop writing because these beautiful and inspiring exercises will banish your writing block right now.

Never Be Stuck Again!

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