Sunday Scribblings: Inspiration
F*ck inspiration. Inspiration is for amateurs. I’m speaking purely as someone who hopes to have a long, successful career as a writer. I can’t wait around for some muse to knock on my door with a manuscript in tow.
I believe in hard work and persistence—the two gods I pray to every night as I open my laptop in search of the right words. I believe in writing something daily—a blog post, a journal entry, a phrase from an earlier conversation—so I can keep that energy close to the surface. One of the nice things about participating in online communities such as Sunday Scribblings or Poetry Thursday is that I am constantly examining and re-examining my emotions. Rarely when I write a poem do I feel like I’m starting from scratch.
Also, I believe in the time that I spend away from my family to indulge my artistic expression. In fact, I think I am a better wife and mother because of it. Those weekend hours stolen away to write at Starbucks or late nights hunched over my desk goes way beyond being passionate. Yes, it’s true that writing is a journey. Yet, most days, my journey is the equivalent of chasing a mirage—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Today I was rereading an article from the latest Poets & Writers magazine, writer and psychologist Susan Schnur was quoted as saying, “We live in a culture that doesn’t always value a writer’s need to write.” I don’t stay awake until midnight writing or wake up at 5 a.m. because I’m inspired. This is something I have to do. And in the process, I’m creating my own definition of what it means to be a writer. Unfortunately, the idealistic notion of inspiration does not fit into the picture.
I believe in hard work and persistence—the two gods I pray to every night as I open my laptop in search of the right words. I believe in writing something daily—a blog post, a journal entry, a phrase from an earlier conversation—so I can keep that energy close to the surface. One of the nice things about participating in online communities such as Sunday Scribblings or Poetry Thursday is that I am constantly examining and re-examining my emotions. Rarely when I write a poem do I feel like I’m starting from scratch.
Also, I believe in the time that I spend away from my family to indulge my artistic expression. In fact, I think I am a better wife and mother because of it. Those weekend hours stolen away to write at Starbucks or late nights hunched over my desk goes way beyond being passionate. Yes, it’s true that writing is a journey. Yet, most days, my journey is the equivalent of chasing a mirage—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Today I was rereading an article from the latest Poets & Writers magazine, writer and psychologist Susan Schnur was quoted as saying, “We live in a culture that doesn’t always value a writer’s need to write.” I don’t stay awake until midnight writing or wake up at 5 a.m. because I’m inspired. This is something I have to do. And in the process, I’m creating my own definition of what it means to be a writer. Unfortunately, the idealistic notion of inspiration does not fit into the picture.
Comments
I think my motivations come from within. Or maybe we're talking about the same thing with a different name. But I really do think creation is born out of hard work, persistence, and consistency.
Well-written, too, January - as always! If I weren't careful, I'd call it inspired. :)
Writing is WORK. Fun, thrilling, exciting....WORK.
Anyway, your perseverance and postive work ethic inspire me!
I agree with you in part. Somewhere,some time there was a stimulus, a kindness, a prompt, something to motivate you to take the path you chose. I call that motivating influence; Inspiration.
When I was eight I was inspired by Yogi Berra to be a baseball player. Bang! Then I showed up to play catch, play pick-up games everyday. Everyday I practised for ten years. I was inspired to become a Nurse Anesthetist by a Nurse Anesthetist. I went to school and I practiced and practiced. I showed up at the head of the table everyday..and still do.
Now I show up at the computer everyday, and I write every day.
Thomas Edison said it all when he said: genius is 1% in"spiration" and 99% per"spiration". Quote added by me. ;-)
rel
Kamsin, maybe what I'm trying to get at does have another name, but I don't think my drive is fueled by greed or a need to be famous. If that's the case, I picked the wrong vocation!
I think those are fighting words...Gee I hope the muses have their ears covered...for your sake..
I also now have to reread my latest P&W because I seem to have missed that comment, and it's crucial.
i can say that different things I've seen or heard (prompts or things in real life) have inspired individual poems but i agree with January. overall, i'm not an inspired writer. i'm a writer with nothing more than a longing and a commitment.
i'm wondering if it's a worthwhile publishing route and am checking into it.
your take on inspiration reminds me of the quote, "trust in god but tie up your camel".
best of luck..
:)
gautami
Fillip