Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I know what you’re thinking. I can’t write if I’m not inspired! What would I write about??
This is, of course, an excellent point. But the problem is, if you only write when you’re inspired, you’ll hardly ever do it. Besides, inspiration often comes at the most inconvenient times – in the shower, at 3am, when you’re making dinner, when you jump into the car to do the errands or whatever. In any case, it’s often when you are simply not able to make the most of it. But what of writing when you’re uninspired? Well yes, it can be difficult … but it can also be done.
Take my case – and I’m sure I’m not alone here. With young children, my writing time is limited to when they are either being educated or, mostly in the case of the baby, asleep. I rarely get more than an hour or two at a time to write, and even then I have no idea how long it will be before the baby monitor starts lighting up again, signalling that my attention is needed elsewhere. As such, I have arranged my time to have a Writing Day each week. (See? I’ve even capitalised it. That’s how important it is to me.) This is my day when I don’t do anything else – no extra-curricular activities for the kids, no shopping, no running down to the post office, nothing. For as long as I can (ie, when the baby isn’t complaining), I sit at my computer and I write.
The thing is, naturally, that I’m not always feeling particularly inspired on my Writing Day. Maybe the baby got me up at 4.30am and I’m crying out for a nap. Maybe the house needs cleaning. Maybe there’s something that I want to watch on television. Maybe I’m just not feeling creative. And I’m sure you’ve all been there.
However, I make myself do it. I have a look over what I’ve already written, and I can generally find something to do. Maybe it’s just the odd paragraph here or there. Maybe it’s editing – which I know I shouldn’t do till the first draft is finished, but I feel that any progress on a Writing Day is good. Maybe it’s a scene that I’ve been playing with in my mind, when I have been inspired (generally at 3am or when I’m doing the grocery shopping, I find), that I remember enough of to get a start on.
The thing is, just the act of writing is beneficial. I find it’s easier to edit and re-write a scene than it is to start it from scratch, even when there are a lot of changes to be made. After all, if you’ve already done it and you think it doesn’t work, then at least you know now what not to do with it. And of course, the more you write, the better at it you get.
Besides, who hasn’t had a day when they start out writing what they think is rubbish, only to look at it at the end and realise it’s actually quite good? I know I can’t be the only one.
So, if you have a time set aside to write, then make the most of it. Don’t wait to be inspired. Don’t spend that time surfing Facebook or Twitter or anything else that the net might throw at you. Just do it. You never know what might come out.
Funny that I wrote a similar post just now about this type of thing. Though my distractions don’t include children. *shivers* Unsure if I could get any writing done then. If you do, then congratulations, you are a better writer than I!
I find that planning can compensate for a lack of raw inspiration in some ways. For example, I have a checklist for planning confrontations and reactions, and character profiles are also worth reviewing. Often when scanning these, I get moments of ‘Of course; THAT’S what would happen!’
David – Clearly, great minds think alike! *grins* Though yes, children are an additional problem. As I write I hear the baby waking up in his room upstairs, so I’m going to have to leave this blog shortly to deal with him. But yes, I manage, even if it is slow going.
Peter – As always, you’re absolutely right. I have a notebook that I jot down my ideas and notes in, and I use that as a base for any writing that actually gets done on my Writing Day. It certainly makes things easier when you’re on limited time.
I was just commenting to someone about how the shower is where most of my inspiration happens. Yes I am weird and a nerd (see my latest blog entry), but it’s true. The shower calls to my creative mind…lol.
You are quite right about just digging in and writing. I don’t think many people have finished a book without doing just that. I do think we writers need the occasional “kick in the pants” to remind us though.
Thanks, I consider myself kicked! XD
*puts kicking boots away* Thank you! I’m very pleased this was of some help to get you back on track. I knew I couldn’t have been alone in feeling a bit uninspired when my muse was on holiday (I hear Tahiti is nice this time of year) but experience has shown me that there really is value in plugging on regardless. Glad you’ve found that too!
Hey, don’t forget staying positive! You must laugh, smile and find the humor in life. I very nearly lost everything about a week ago, but here I am joking, smiling, and making a general annoyance of myself.
The energy level I’ve created has not only kept me going, but it has helped with other problems. No the problems of life don’t go away, but finding the humor in them makes it easier to deal with. Plus, it’s hard to cry and laugh at the same time; unless it’s tears of laughter, but I digress…
XD
I dunno, I’ve certainly been known to laugh and cry at the same time, but that’s mainly because my eyes water if I laugh too much.
But you make an excellent point. I must admit that I find a too much negativity very off-putting, but I’m not yet at the point of being endlessly positive. Maybe, positive with a dash of realism thrown in? That said, though, you’re absolutely right. Without seeing the humour in life, it’s very easy to get bogged down things, and that does no one any good.
Hmmm. Maybe I should get out that my Monty Python mug again … Always look on the bright side of life …
Reblogged this on Writer's Zone and commented:
Excellent tips on inspiration.
Ha! This was me last night (or, rather, earlier this morning at 4.30am), tapping out on my notes app in the darkness then emailing it to myself. I couldn’t get back to sleep after that because more thoughts kept coming. Needless to say those thoughts have drifted far and away because I am here reading blogs and definitely not contributing anything to my writing. I will push on though!