Inspired To Write

Blogging from the deck once again.

I love writing on the deck by the pool. The summer breeze mixed with crisp warm sunlight provides a fresh surge of inspiration for my thoughts.

It'd be a waste to stay indoors on a pretty afternoon like this. The wind is causing the large yellow umbrella to sway and creak above my head. Every now and then, I have to reach forward and steady its stem because I'd hate for it to snap, or worse - fly away.

Honestly, I've felt incredibly lazy the last few days. I wanted to write something productive - maybe an essay, an inspirational blog post or even start a novel - but I was just at a loss for words. I couldn't seem to find the right moment to write. It was as though the summer breeze had blown my creative cap away. I've had this happen to me dozens of times, so it wasn't exactly a new thing. But I allowed the laziness to settle. And that was a big mistake.

You see, I always say that inspiration fuels my writing. I write best when I'm inspired. For most people, inspiration comes after reading a great book, or watching a thought-provoking movie, or after a deep conversation with a friend. But sometimes, inspiration strikes when you least expect it. You could be turning off your bed lamp when you get a sudden urge to write about the pasta you had for lunch. You could be cruising along the interstate when you're suddenly inspired to write about the unfolding scenery outside your window. It doesn't always happen when you're ready to write.

And then there are moments when you sit in front of your screen, fingers poised on the keyboard, ready to roll but nothing happens. A single sentence takes forever to develop. Ideas seem tangled in the web of creativity. Extracting an idea and translating it from thought to type feels like driving a car without a clue of how to get to your destination.

Frustrating, ain't it?


I realized that writing isn't about waiting for inspiration to come. It's about taking the step (or steps) to find inspiration. You could sit at home all day in front of your desk, willing yourself to punch out some great sentences, but that's not enough if your thoughts aren't churning the way they should be.

I woke up this morning and told myself I needed to write. Not journal-write, but write-write. Blog-write. Novel-write. Whatever it takes to get my words flowing again. For quite a while, I'd made the mistake of sitting on the couch, waiting for the inspiration to get started. In the end, I found myself checking Twitter, stalking photos on Facebook and eventually watching several episodes of Desperate Housewives.

My biggest weakness when it comes to writing, or anything, is my tolerance for distraction. I'm easily distracted. I can't write with music in my ears; I'd be thinking about the tune and the lyrics. I can't write while eating or drinking something I like; I'd be distracted by the taste. I can't write with conversations circulating around me; I'd be tempted to eavesdrop.

That is why I'm sitting out here on the deck - free from the TV, food and the dogs. The only thing distracting me right now is the squeaky umbrella. I'm so afraid it's going to topple or something. Gosh, the wind's pretty strong today.

Anyway, finding the inspiration to write may take a while.

I find inspiration in the strangest places, at the strangest moments. One of those moments is when I'm in the shower. This may seem weird, but I think showers are great places to do some serious thinking. Ever seen movies where a couple has a huge fight and one of them steps into the shower alone and starts crying? And then she starts thinking. Maybe if I changed my sucky attitude, I'd win him back. Or maybe if I broke up with him first, I'd save myself the shame of being dumped. It's always that "What am I going to do?" moment followed by a series of possible solutions, fed by the mind.

I think the mind works best when you're alone, with warm water pouring over you like rain. There's just something about showers that's so... magical. There, I found my fountain of inspiration.

I'm also inspired by sunlight. I hate writing under harsh florescent light. I used to be able to, but lately I've dreaded the bland glow of florescent lighting. Not only is it dull, but it's just... awkward. It's great for studying or having a serious conversation, so then you can see each flicker of emotion in the person's eyes, but it's a terrible mood-setter for serious writing. That's what I think, anyway. It's just an individual preference.

Sunlight on the other hand, gives me hope. It brightens my mood. It makes me happy. Don't underestimate the power of golden rays.

So, I'm really interested to know. What inspires you?