For me, I’ve always been inspired by the blank page.
But sometimes whatever magic we can conjure inside of ourselves
just isn’t enough. I know a lot of us get inspiration from tv, movies, music,
or even just stepping outside our front doors and observing people. It never
ceases to amaze me how much magic and inspiration is just waiting for us to tap
into it—grab onto it and put it on the page, and I think most of the time, all
we need to do is just slow down long enough to notice that it’s there.
As writers, we work and work and work and edit and edit and
edit—and what I find interesting is that a lot of us cease to read for pleasure while we get in work mode… we
get to a point where we aren’t able to truly enjoy a book like we used to—where
all we can see is plot/pacing issues, or too much telling, or character
inconsistencies or unbelievable settings. Think to the last time you truly
enjoyed a story without critiquing it to death inside your head…
For me, lately, I’ve gone back and reread the books that made me want to start writing in the
first place. The books that first planted that seed of magic—those settings
that lingered with me for days afterward—where I would do anything to stay in
that world and spend time with those characters. I’ve been analyzing what it is
that makes me love these books so much. Is it the ambiance? The characters? The
conflict?
I’ve also discovered that whenever I beta read for someone
incredible it restores inspiration fast. I think when we READ we can discover
what it is that made us want to venture into this daring writing world. And
even though I think we should immerse ourselves in stories as much as possible
(not only for knowing the market and what’s out there), but so
we can keep our creativity fresh and keep ourselves aligned with who we want to
be as a writer. Because when we are right within ourselves, we’ll be in that
place mentally where we can create what we’re trying to portray on the page.
Yesterday I received a package in the mail containing an ARC
for Woven, David Powers King’s debut novel (Out in January!) with Scholastic. And
already, I’m immersed in this wonderful world and pieces of inspiration are
stitching itself back together in my writing soul. I’d forgotten what reading
could do for my happiness and motivation. Can’t wait to finish it.
What was the last book you read that made you inspired to
write? Do you reread books that take you back to that “magical place?” Jealous I get to read Woven right NOW?!?!?
Red. Head. Out.
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