Inspiration, It’s All Around Us!
Last month I wrote about the writing saying that more or less changed the way I look at my work, let alone life!
Writers Rewrite!
I am almost sure for most of you who read it, you were probably left wondering,
How can you write, let alone rewrite when you just can’t seem to get motivated?
A Desire To Inspire!
Ah yes, inspiration! If you are a creative reading this don’t worry, we’ve all struggled from time to time when the wells of inspiration have run dry. Furthermore, in a time of lockdowns, economic peril, and overall uncertainty, it’s bound to happen! I know for myself there have been days where I’ve stared blankly at my computer screen struggling endlessly just to type one word, yes you heard me, one word!
When I write, I like to have a plan! On my desk in front of me, I have a whiteboard calendar where I list out my writing goals for the week.
Here’s an example of my latest:
- Finish at least two more chapters in that book you’ve been meaning to finish
- Pitch that travel article you’ve been wanting to pitch
- Sit down and write that bio for your website
However, if you suffer from a lack of creativity and inspiration, like I do, and no matter how organized you may think you are, these plans will most likely end up in the garbage well before the week is up!
My top five inspiration tips
- Watch TV
- Carry Around a Notepad
- Build That Muscle
- Stop Editing
- Dumb it Down
It’s All About Perspective!
Oh, the pain! When you’re a writer searching for inspiration I am sure you’ll agree with me when I say that sometimes,
The struggle is indeed very real!
So, how to get inspired you ask? Especially now! Where to find the creative ‘juices’ that’ll make you pick up that pen and scribble down the literary masterpiece that’s been buried deep within for God knows how long?!
Now, if you’re in some sort of a creative field, I’m sure you’ve believed this lie one time too many times,
Successful creatives who’ve made it don’t have to work hard at staying motivated.
WRONG!
Throughout my career I’ll admit it, I’ve believed this lie time and time again and as such have been often left with this thought,
There has to be a way to ‘easy’ street!
Hahaha! Riiiight! I wish! That’s why I find that when I’m in a ‘creative slump’ and I’m being pretty hard on myself, it’s helpful to remember this,
Life takes work.
I use this saying as my personal ‘mantra’ all the time! Because you know, when you really sit and think about it, motivation and inspiration are all about workin’ it! So, start with putting in some effort to look for unique ways to get inspired. Why not start with the mundane everyday tasks you do? Like pumping gas or running an errand for your boss! If you just take a moment to stop, look around, and see things with new eyes you’ll soon realize that the universe is constantly bombarding you with motivational cues!
I guess the question now is, where to start? Well, to begin everyone’s motivational techniques are different and there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Try something, if it doesn’t work, jump to the next and if that doesn’t work remember you always have plan b as a fallback but whatever you do, don’t stop!
To help you out, I’ve culminated my top five ideas that’ll help to inspire you when you’re feeling as though you’re in a pinch! My advice is to try one, give it a few days, and if it isn’t ‘jivin’ with you, pick a few more to fall back on!
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Watching TV
Since I am on a solo ‘lockdown’ adventure, thank you COVID19, Netflix has become my best friend, literally. While it would be nice to be out socializing in the ‘real world,’ I have to say this last month and a half has proven to be a fantastic opportunity for me to get acquainted with some television shows I’d been meaning to get to.
*AHEM* Orange is the New Black!
*FANGIRL SQUEAL!*
Over my seven season course with the ladies of Litchfield, I’ve found myself not only deeply invested in their storylines, but the drama, mayhem, and all-around dysfunction. A mundane task to most, my nightly ritual has helped me generate the creative fuel necessary to get my ‘motor’ running.
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Carry a notepad
If you really pay attention to the world outside of you, you’ll come to see that there are a plethora of interesting characters, settings, tragedies, comedies, dramedies, you name it! If kickin’ it old school with a notepad and pen isn’t your jam, then open up a file on notepad in your phone and be on high alert, no matter where you go.
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30 Minutes a Day to Build that Muscle
When I decided that I wanted to become a writer I thought all you had to do was to show up to your laptop and the ideas would flow, lol! However, what I failed to consider was that when it comes to writing, it has to be a habit, not a hobby. Plain and simple, if you’re planning to ‘make something of yourself’ you’ve got to show up. Thirty minutes a day is all it takes to help get those creative juices flowing. Hey, you never know, in those thirty minutes you might just uncover a literary side to you that you didn’t even know was there!
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Stop Editing
My inner editor stands in my way all the time, I’m talkin’ all.of.the.time! So, what’s my solution? Just write! Turn off your computer monitor when you write and just get it all out! Sounds silly but try it! You see when you can’t see what you’re writing you starve your inner editor to death and as such, they’ll have nothing to do! BWAHAHA!
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Dumb it Down!
When I first started taking my career as a writer seriously, I thought it was all about flowery language and intense sounding words that required my reader to carry around a dictionary. Wrong! I think the most imporant thing to remember is that you MUST engage your reader and when it comes to the words that you use, less is more!
So there you have it! I hope this month’s post inspires you to get back out there and create, no matter your medium!
To CREATIVITY!
