Got muse?
Let me let you in on a little secret, about how I write these articles.
Sometimes, on a really good day, I get an idea, I write, I review the article, then I set it to publish at 00:02 on Sunday morning. On a good day I’ve done this by Wednesday/Thursday.
Then there are days like today. It is 23:48 in the UK (17:48 for the Write Stuff website). No article. Barely any ideas. And that rising sensation of panic that I need to have written something, and soon. But I lack the inspiration.
Andrea listed some Website Aids in her latest article, and linked through to a blog called A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing. This was a link I needed to read this week, particularly this post, Your Daily Inspiration Booster Shot.
Wow, did I ever need that this week. I have felt myself flagging a bit recently. It isn’t writer’s block. It is deeper than that. Writer’s block is a frustration – you have the desire to write, but the ability to do so vanishes. Whereas for me, I had begun to feel desire slipping away. Self-doubt, worry and pessimism crept into my mind. My spirits had dropped. The Inspiration Booster Shot was a much needed lift to my spirits.
On Thursday I bought a small notebook, and jotted down some of the inspirational quotes that meant the most to me. I carry it around with me everywhere now. Anytime I come across something inspiring, a phrase that makes me think, gives me hope, and enriches me, I write it down in the notebook. The idea is that in future if I should ever allow doubt to creep in, I will look in the notebook, and be inspired.
My favourite quote is this:
Write when you can. Finish what you start. Edit what you finish. Submit what you’ve edited. Repeat
On a good day I do this. I get an idea (write when I can), I write (finish), I review (edit) the article, then I set it to publish (submit) at 00:02 on a Sunday morning. Then repeat for next week.
It is now 00:11 in the UK. And thanks to looking into the notebook, I got inspired, got an idea, and got an article.
In Ancient Greece they believed that the Muses were responsible for bringing ideas and inspiration to artists. Even today we speak about an artist’s muse, be that a place, a person or a thing. This week I found my muse in my notebook.
What is your muse? Who, what or where inspires you to write, and most importantly, keeps you writing?
Hi Paul,
I really enjoyed reading your article today. You have inspired me to answer your questions, and ask myself what gives me the Inspiration to Write? Thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us.
Enjoy Life!
I was just thinking the very same thing yesterday. I too am going through something much deeper then mere writer’s block. I have ideas, but now desire. A few days ago I got so far as writing down an opening sentence, but deleted it thinking “what’s the point?” I don’t know how to work past it. Maybe I don’t need to, after all I am a hobbyist; I should be satisfied with writing when I feel the need. However, I can’t help but think I’m missing something. I know the simplest solution is to just start writing again and hope that it resolves itself, but this feels so…I can’t even find a word to describe the feeling well. Anyway, this doesn’t really answer your “inspiration” question, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only one. I was thinking about posing the question “how do you work pass the blues” in the next ’say it on Saturday.’ You beat me to it, thanks. I think your notebook idea is a great one, but I’m not much of a carry around a journal kinda gal, but maybe I’ll give it a try.
Hi Chris, the notebook is a very small one, fits straight into the ticket pocket of my jacket – it’s about maybe one inch wide and not much taller. Just the ideal size to carry about and write short little quotes.