I have seen an increasing amount of posts on several writing sites I stalk where authors are saying: “I don’t feel inspired. How do I get inspired to write??”
How To Get Inspired
Well, I don’t have all the answers, but a couple of years ago I kept hearing friends of mine talk about Stream of Consciousness Writing. I’d never heard of it. As in, I was the epitome of eloquent when I looked at them, wrinkled my nose, and said, “Huh??”
You literally sit down with pencil (or pen) and paper and write. About anything that comes into your mind. It doesn’t even have to make sense. Here is an excerpt from one of my Stream of Consciousness Writings:
Stream of Conscious – every author swears by it so I figured I should try it. Even if half the reason is to hide from my fighting children in the other room.
This is the first thing I am writing at my writing desk in the new sunroom. The sun comes in through the window and lands right on the desk. In winter I will love that, but I wonder if in summer it will be too hot to sit here and write.
The deer bone Johnathan Rand signed is right next to me. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t disconcerting. I’m still not sure where to put it.
I think, after all this time, all these years, I still think writing novels should be easy. Not work. Not something I procrastinate about. How can I procrastinate so much about something I really love to do?
Really is one of those weak words. Like “very.” I shouldn’t have used it.
Why do rules of grammar and punctuation change, anyway? You would think that was something that would stay the same.
I want to go to that garage sale I saw…but I also don’t want to.
Why It’s Important
The thing is, nine times out of ten, what you are writing actually veers into something that jogs an idea in your brain and suddenly you’re writing a story, or an article, or a song…get the idea?
And if it doesn’t do that, then at least you have disgorged yourself of all thoughts and cleared your mind. Even if that doesn’t lead to a story, it can lead to a more peaceful day, am I right? Not to mention you are using your writing muscles and keeping them honed by writing, even if it isn’t writing an actual work you plan to publish. Don’t forget, it may not have led toward a story this time, but there is always tomorrow.
So, sit down and write—even if it doesn’t make sense!
