When I'm really struggling, I've found plugging into binaural music for creativity puts me in the zone quickly. That doesn't mean the thunderbolt strikes, but at least there is ease during the day-to-day work of writing. I also remind myself of the why I'm working on my stories or illustrations. Also, if I don't exercise along with yoga practice, I find I spiral into my insecurities and watch youtube or something mindless instead of writing.
Renee, I just saw your comment--thank you! I, too, am a big believer in knowing the "why" of creative work (my creative types model is all about that)--it feels like the most important aspect of motivation.
From Randall Jarrell’s article on Wallace Stevens: “A good poet is someone who manages, in a lifetime of standing out in thunderstorms, to be struck by lightning five or six times; a dozen or two dozen times and he is great.”
So I guess the question might be: How do we increase the odds of being struck by inspirational lightning? Probably just about everything has been tried: drugs, drink, hypnosis, meditation, analysis, etc. But if those things were consistently effective, we’d probably know it by now. “I don't know where my songs come from,” Bob Dylan once said. “It's like a ghost is writing a song.”
Inspiration occurs in almost all aspects of life. Probably all we can do is be ready for it and take advantage when it strikes (it may dissipate by the weekend): Archimedes in his bathtub, Newton beneath his apple tree. Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points last week for the Cleveland Cavaliers, an example of athletic inspiration. He hadn’t been shooting particularly well in recent games, but when inspiration hit he was ready, in shape and in charge.
Frank, I find your response inspiring! The sports analogy works well here because what if Mitchell had been suddenly inspired but couldn't act on it because, for instance, he'd been avoiding practice or not eating properly, etc. and therefore didn't have the necessary stamina and strength. I think we each need to figure out what being prepared to receive and act on inspiration means to us. Thank you!
Same with Dylan. Although he describes his songwriting process as something mysterious, he was also ready for inspiration when it came, which is to say he’d learned all the old songs, studied the greats, and paid attention to singers who, he once said, had a look in their eyes that said, “I know something you don’t.” And as he also once said, “If you sang ‘John Henry’ as many times as me… you’d have written ‘How many roads must a man walk down?’ too.”
I’m noticing lately that when I sit down to write my state of mind is important. Meditation, reading novels (as opposed to all forms of news and non-fiction), and, lately, doing jigsaw puzzles, all do a great job of clearing out my head. I’ve been experimenting with how much time I need to spend on any of these activities before I connect to my creative flow, and I don’t have any answers yet, but I’m giving myself permission to pursue them. They’re definitely more conducive to my creativity than social media, watching tv, or other mind-numbing activities.
Erin, your words remind me of a story Wayne Dyer once told. While he was writing one of his books he would spend hours walking the beach. Someone asked him how he could afford to take long walks. He responded, "those walks are the most important part of my work."
I probably messed up his exact story to some degree, but I believe I got the essence right :)
Erin, I'm coming to the same realizations as you. Our minds are under assault from discouraging news and harmful social media--and they may give us ideas but they're not "inspiring" in the way we're talking about. You are hereby granted permission to pursue these mind-clearing activites. :)
I've often found inspiration in listening to music, TedTalks, and getting outside in nature. Some days are better than others, but I try to write everyday.
I would say a combination of both. Sometimes I hear something on the news, read an article or have an idea "pop" into my head. I also plough through - massaging the dozen drafts in progress.
Wow, Janice--a dozen drafts - that's fantastic! I think the combo approach makes the most sense rather than relying exclusively on inspiration or "perspiration." Thanks for your feedback!
Love that quote. So true!
I find the hardest time to write is without a deadline because I ponder, write, delete, revise. On deadline my creativity kicks into high gear.
Just saw this! A big YES to deadlines. It's too bad that so much of the writing life for so many writers lacks externally imposed deadlines.
I love your substack!
When I'm really struggling, I've found plugging into binaural music for creativity puts me in the zone quickly. That doesn't mean the thunderbolt strikes, but at least there is ease during the day-to-day work of writing. I also remind myself of the why I'm working on my stories or illustrations. Also, if I don't exercise along with yoga practice, I find I spiral into my insecurities and watch youtube or something mindless instead of writing.
Renee, I just saw your comment--thank you! I, too, am a big believer in knowing the "why" of creative work (my creative types model is all about that)--it feels like the most important aspect of motivation.
It does seem like the pillar of motivation. Without it I get embarrassingly lazy. :)
From Randall Jarrell’s article on Wallace Stevens: “A good poet is someone who manages, in a lifetime of standing out in thunderstorms, to be struck by lightning five or six times; a dozen or two dozen times and he is great.”
So I guess the question might be: How do we increase the odds of being struck by inspirational lightning? Probably just about everything has been tried: drugs, drink, hypnosis, meditation, analysis, etc. But if those things were consistently effective, we’d probably know it by now. “I don't know where my songs come from,” Bob Dylan once said. “It's like a ghost is writing a song.”
Inspiration occurs in almost all aspects of life. Probably all we can do is be ready for it and take advantage when it strikes (it may dissipate by the weekend): Archimedes in his bathtub, Newton beneath his apple tree. Donovan Mitchell scored 71 points last week for the Cleveland Cavaliers, an example of athletic inspiration. He hadn’t been shooting particularly well in recent games, but when inspiration hit he was ready, in shape and in charge.
Frank, I find your response inspiring! The sports analogy works well here because what if Mitchell had been suddenly inspired but couldn't act on it because, for instance, he'd been avoiding practice or not eating properly, etc. and therefore didn't have the necessary stamina and strength. I think we each need to figure out what being prepared to receive and act on inspiration means to us. Thank you!
Same with Dylan. Although he describes his songwriting process as something mysterious, he was also ready for inspiration when it came, which is to say he’d learned all the old songs, studied the greats, and paid attention to singers who, he once said, had a look in their eyes that said, “I know something you don’t.” And as he also once said, “If you sang ‘John Henry’ as many times as me… you’d have written ‘How many roads must a man walk down?’ too.”
You can make good use of that occasional thunder bolt if you already mastered the skill of a disciplined working practice.
Cali, that's an ideal way of putting it!
I’m noticing lately that when I sit down to write my state of mind is important. Meditation, reading novels (as opposed to all forms of news and non-fiction), and, lately, doing jigsaw puzzles, all do a great job of clearing out my head. I’ve been experimenting with how much time I need to spend on any of these activities before I connect to my creative flow, and I don’t have any answers yet, but I’m giving myself permission to pursue them. They’re definitely more conducive to my creativity than social media, watching tv, or other mind-numbing activities.
Erin, your words remind me of a story Wayne Dyer once told. While he was writing one of his books he would spend hours walking the beach. Someone asked him how he could afford to take long walks. He responded, "those walks are the most important part of my work."
I probably messed up his exact story to some degree, but I believe I got the essence right :)
Erin, I'm coming to the same realizations as you. Our minds are under assault from discouraging news and harmful social media--and they may give us ideas but they're not "inspiring" in the way we're talking about. You are hereby granted permission to pursue these mind-clearing activites. :)
I've often found inspiration in listening to music, TedTalks, and getting outside in nature. Some days are better than others, but I try to write everyday.
Writing every day is wonderful - sounds like you're open to inspiration but willing to push forward regardless. Thanks for your comment!
I would say a combination of both. Sometimes I hear something on the news, read an article or have an idea "pop" into my head. I also plough through - massaging the dozen drafts in progress.
Wow, Janice--a dozen drafts - that's fantastic! I think the combo approach makes the most sense rather than relying exclusively on inspiration or "perspiration." Thanks for your feedback!