Inspiration

When it comes to writing, sometimes you look about you and think – what am I going to write about today? It’s a good question because time isn’t something of which we have an abundance and there are days when I feel the clock ticking. During these seasons of pressure and stress, I end up turning, as many artists and writers have before me, to the outside world for inspiration.

In a way, I see my mind and creative zone as a field – and, having written a piece of work, some of the “nutrients” as it were have been sucked from the “soil” and need replenishing. At times like these, some people panic and rush about trying to force themselves to write.

I tumblr.

I guess this is one reason why I’m not a full-time writer. Don’t get me wrong – it’s my dream to write and be published, but if I can’t write something, if my creativity is sapped, I have the ability to step back, go away and delve into what I enjoy as a fangirl.

So, what is inspiring to me?

1. Other fanworks. There’s nothing better for you than to go check out what else is being written in the fandom/field you are writing in. See what other people are exploring. Who knows? Maybe a fellow fan’s work will really spark an idea in you and make you think of something in a new way you hadn’t thought possible before.

2. Muses. Let’s admit it. We all have those hotties we stalk online. It’s even better if they are performers/artists/writers like ourselves. I find that listening to what they say, the encouragements they shout out, the stories they share – these all really help me gain energy. This is twice as possible if your muse is someone amazing like Tom Hiddleston [T] [FB] or Asagi (from D) [FB]. These kinds actually share really inspirational messages, which you can gain energy from. Of course, other muses may not necessarily connect with you on mental level and more or less provide visual stimulas. (laughs guiltily) Like Dmitry Sholokhov [FB]. Don’t get me wrong – I think his sense of fashion is cool, but I was more interested in how much he looks like Loki and his quiet snark in Season 10 of Project Runway. Suddenly, I’m beating off web RPF comic plot bunnies…

3. Inspirational mottos. These are very personal, I think, and can be wildly different from person to person. Some of my favs are:

“And she is led by love. The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.”– Edward Walker, “The Village” by M. N. Shymalan

“Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life. You don’t have to live forever. You just have to live.”
— Mr. Tuck, “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbit

“Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it. […] White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.”
— Gandalf, “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” (film version) by J.R.R. Tolkien

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”– Deuteronomy 31:6

“He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
— Micah 6:8

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”
— 1 John 4:18

“A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, or because everything she does is golden. A writer is a writer because, even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.”
— Junot Diaz, Professor of Writing, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 2008

“…Just keep writing. Keep reading. If you are meant to be a writer, a storyteller, it’ll work itself out. You just keep feeding it your energy, and giving it that crucial chance to work itself out. By reading and writing.”
— Robin McKinley

In conclusion, therefore, I think that inspiration is out there for everyone. It’s in nature, in people, in life situations, in music… there are so many avenues for inspiration, I have no time to cover them all, but what is important is to find what can inspire you.