Inspiration and the Proverbial Apple Cart

Inspiration is like the runners high: it only comes after you’ve put in the miles. Sometimes inspiration is a glorious ride, but more often, inspiration is a gift that turns over the proverbial apple cart. Inspiration opens the door to possibility and opportunity.

The Power of Image for the Writer

Many writers have the misconception that words drive writing, that in order to begin you have to have the right first sentence or paragraph. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you begin with words, that's where you'll end up, lost in a quagmire of words. Why? Because words reside in the left side of the brain, which is the home of judgment, evaluation and the Inner Critic. You know that voice inside your head that says, "If you're going to be a writer than you have to write this, not that. Not too much sex or violence. Don't be boring. Write a page turner or don't bother..."
"Have to, have to, have to!...should, should, should!" Whenever you hear these words, take note. Your Inner Critic is controlling the show. What you want is for you Inner Writer to step forth. Then you can really start writing.

How do you do this? Stop thinking. I know that's hard. But whatever down on the paper or computer. Even if it makes no sense. Write nonsense. Write without thinking.

Call forth an image. Any image. Close your eyes and ask your Inner Writer for an image. Use the image as a prompt, even if it makes no sense.

Remember, the image is the bridge into the unconscious! Doesn't make sense. Stop thinking and you will embrace the universe.

What Does Creative Success Mean to You?

We all have our definitions of what it means to be successful with our creativity. All too often, those definitions are based upon the insatiable appetite of the ego for outer world recognition. Not that there is anything wrong with outer world success. There isn't! The problem is that if we buy the ego story that outer world success is the reason we create, we will depend on the judgments of others and will never know creative fulfillment and its sustaining passion and joy.

Lets explore the affects on our writing when the need for outer world success becomes a driving force. Notice I used the word need, which arises out of the ego desires and not the creative source within us. When this happens, the endless loop of thoughts may run something like this:

If only I finish a story, I'll be happy.

If only I get an agent, I'll be happy. 

If only I get the book published, I'll be a success. 

If only I get a decent advance, then everyone will know that all this time I put into my writing has been worth it... 

When I get on the best sellers list, well then I'll have reached my goal... 

Winner the National Book Award would surely be nice...

  

Of course then the pressure would really be on to write another great book. I wonder if I can hit the jackpot twice... 

Oh, God, that will never happen... who am I trying to kid. I might as well give up now....

We've all been through our own version of this scenario, most likely countless times! It clear that enough is never enough to satisfy ego and calm its fears of inadequacy!

It is, important, nonetheless, not to discard the ego's need for outer world success. First of all, in our private world, the ego doesn't let up. The ego will have its say. Sometimes its relentlessness can cause us to give up in despair. Other times, it can be a deciding factor in pushing us to complete. The key is to know, deep in your being, that true success, creative satisfaction and joy come from answering the mysterious call of creativity.

 

This call is always a great challenge, and cannot be answered by the faint of heart. Its path demands great leaps of faith. It is filled with magnificent surprises that more often than not feel threatening to the ego. For me, the greatest and most freeing gift of the creative life is finding out that I am much more than I ever dreamed I was. I have hidden strengths, a wild imagination, a fierceness and ability to fly. Most important, I am on a journey in life that is constantly unfolding.

Some of this I learned from my characters, who showed me sides of myself that surprised challenged and grew me. Some I learned from the numerous times I stumbled and fell and found within me the wherewithal to pick myself up and move on. And yes, I've lost my way, too many times to count. And yes, I still battle the demands of the ego and fall victim to my inner critic's badgering and false view of me and life. But I have also learned that I have a fearlessness in me that ultimately shines through and supports my journey and my creative life.

Explore The Fiction Writer's Journey

Looking for a writing coach? Explore what Emily has to offer.

Thought for the day!

"When you're a writer or an artist, nothing is wasted. Even the most painful and difficult experience in life can be recycled into material for a project, and it's the artist's job to be awake, aware, and opportunistic. This attitude might sound a bit cold and calculating, but it's not. Quite the opposite. Art, when it comes from dark and difficult places, gives us a means to fully feel out most powerful human emotions and transform our suffering into something meaningful."

Ruth Ozeki, from an article in Shambala Sun Magazine.

Which is more important — plot or character? Although this is an often asked question, it's the wrong question for the fiction writer to ponder.

Why? Because both character and plot are vital to storytelling. A better question is: Am I a plot driven writer or a character driven writer?

The answer comes down to this: To which you are more intuitively drawn? Character? Plot? Knowing the answer gives you an understanding of how the creative process finds expression through you.

In this 2 session teleSeminar series, we will explore:

•How to know whether you are character or plot driven?

•How does knowing help me become a better writer?

•The strengths and the pitfalls of the character driven writer.

•The strengths and the pitfalls of the plot driven writer.

•Character and plot are dance partners, but who leads first?

Most writers are naturally stronger in either character or plot, and you can learn to be strong in both. This teleSeminar series will show you how.

Register: $40 for 2 teleSeminars

Can't make the TeleSeminar? No problem... the program will be available as a download to everyone who signs up, whether or not you attend.

Explore more about character vs plot on this blog 

Are You Fool For Your Creativity? You Better Be!!!

"My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool;

it gives me all the world and exiles me from it."
Ursula K. Le Guin