Hi everyone! How are you all? Today, I’m exploring that elusive creature we creative types like to call “inspiration” and, in particular, how important it is to writing. So, without further preamble, let’s dive in.

Is Inspiration Necessary when it Comes to Writing?

One of the biggest struggles we often face as writers is waiting for that elusive feeling of inspiration to strike before putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). But the problem is that inspiration is not a continuous, free-flowing thing that pours into us when called.

In an ideal world, I’d be sipping my morning coffee, relaxed and stress-free, as my muse comes flying through the window, her fingertips crackling with creative magic as she touches the sides of my head, imbuing me with a supercharge of inspiration. However, our world does not allow for such things.

Many people, myself included, occasionally do sit waiting for that spark of genius to ignite their creative soul, allowing their words to flow freely onto the page. However, this mindset can and so often does lead to long periods of inactivity and frustration when inspiration fails to appear.
This frustration can lead to a creative block and feelings of self-doubt, which can lead to a case of chronic procrastination. Hello, I’m George, and I am a chronic procrastinator. I often find my kitchen and bathroom need a good scrubbing around about when I’m supposed to be “inspired”.

While it’s true that moments of inspiration can lead to some of the best writing you’ll ever produce, waiting around for it is not a viable route to a prolific writing career. On top of that, when the inspiration magic does strike, it’s not usually sustainable — and it’s certainly not controllable. It’s a slippery elemental creature that burns brightly but can fizzle out fast, leaving us exasperated when the ideas dry up.

However, in my years of serious writing, I have found that as well as being an art form and an excellent creative outlet, writing is a discipline that requires practice, patience and dedication — especially when you don’t feel inspired.

By establishing a writing routine and committing to showing up at your desk and plonking your bum in a chair every day (or wherever you write), you can train your brain to be creative on demand, leaving your muse effectively jobless (let’s face it, she’s probably off down the pub getting pissed anyway). While not every word you write may be brilliant, the act of writing itself can spark new ideas and insights and help you have a consistent output.

The American writer Louis L’Amour once wisely said, “Start writing, no matter what — the water doesn’t flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Remember, while waiting for inspiration can lead to moments of brilliance in your writing, it shouldn’t be relied upon as the sole source of motivation.
Cultivating discipline and creating a routine around your writing practices can help sustain your creativity over the long term and help prevent you from running into roadblocks when it comes to achieving your writing goals.

Do you always have to feel inspired before you can write? Or do you “turn on the faucet” first?

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read today’s post!

Until next time,

George

© 2024 GLT

Categories: Generating Ideas, Staying Motivated, Writing Tips

Tags: ideas, inspiration, inspire, motivation, muse