Writing can be its own source of inspiration. This is something I’ve discovered as I’ve gotten into the habit of being prolific. The more I write, the more ideas come to me. I spend a morning handwriting freeform thought, I get a couple ideas for blogs. I write the blogs, I find myself thinking of what I’m going to write in other blogs. I spend a little time working on a story, pushing myself farther, only to find that not only is the story flowing out more easily, I’m getting ideas for other stories.
Last month was very busy, yet I never lacked for ideas. I wrote constantly. It was actually hard, putting my pencil and/or keyboard aside to take breaks. Something about the simple act of writing was addictive. All of that activity loosened the creativity within me, almost causing a deluge. Thought and practice made it easier to channel that energy into another scene in my Camp NaNoWriMo project, into another blog I needed to write up and post. All that thought and practice made it a habit to keep going, to pick up my creative tool after every time I set them down.
Of course my Inner Editor had plenty to say about what my work was lacking. Much of this might have been true, but I had a comeback for her.
“No, I may not be as good or prolific as I want to be, but I’m closer to that goal than I was. I’m a better writer than I was a year ago, two years ago, or five years ago. I’m getting better all the time. I’ll come even closer to my dream if I keep writing.”
Take that, Inner Editor!
Damn right. “Waiting for inspiration” is an excuse or justification for not writing.
Creativity sparks the muse, not the other way around.