#writenow

[hunter-arceneaux-blog]

Stop Waiting for Inspiration: Create Your Own Muse

Inspiration. It’s that spark that every writer, artist, and creator chases. We often imagine it as a sudden burst of clarity, a lightning bolt that strikes us out of nowhere, compelling us to create. But here’s the hard truth: if you wait for inspiration to come, you’ll likely be waiting for a very long time.

I used to be one of those who believed that the best work comes from a place of sudden inspiration or intense infatuation. I would sit on my sofa, staring at a blank computer screen, waiting for the perfect idea to arrive. Days, sometimes weeks, months, or even years would pass without a single word written. Even while wasting my time, I knew that waiting for inspiration was just an excuse for not doing the work.

Create Inspiration from Your Own Life

Sometimes, you must create inspiration yourself or carve it from your own life. The world around you is full of stories waiting to be told, lessons waiting to be shared, and emotions waiting to be expressed. Here are some ways to cultivate your own inspiration:

1. Draw from Personal Experiences

Your life is a rich with experiences that can serve as a wellspring of inspiration. Personally, I have drawn significant inspiration from being deaf and navigating recent physical disabilities, as well as having gone through fertility issues, miscarriages, and mental health challenges. These experiences, both the uplifting and the challenging, have provided me with a deep reservoir of emotions and narratives that I attempt to weave into my writing.

Think about the challenges you’ve faced, the victories you’ve celebrated, the love you’ve felt, and the losses you’ve endured. Write about these moments with honesty and vulnerability; don’t sugarcoat them. Authenticity is key to connecting with your readers. Not only will this practice help you find your voice, but it will also resonate with readers who have shared similar experiences.

2. Observe the World Around You

Inspiration can be found in the most mundane places. Take a walk around your neighborhood (or for those like me, a limp), sit in a park, visit a lake, lose yourself in nature or in another’s art. Try people-watch for a while, imagine conversations or dramas they’re facing, and try to notice the small details that often go unnoticed. The world is full of stories waiting to be told, and all you need to do is pay attention.

3. Set a Routine

Honestly, this has been one of the most challenging aspects for me. Managing unmedicated ADHD can be quite demanding. Creativity is rarely about waiting for inspiration but rather about cultivating it daily. The reality is, creativity thrives on routine. Set aside time each day to write, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The more you engage in writing regularly, the more you’ll notice inspiration flowing naturally. It’s about committing to the process consistently and putting in the effort, even on days when motivation and energy are lacking.

4. Engage with Other Creative Works

Read books, watch movies, listen to music, and visit art galleries. Engaging with other forms of creative expression can spark new ideas and provide fresh perspectives. Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from others and incorporate it into your own work. Creativity is often a collaborative process, even if you’re working alone. Just remember, there’s a huge difference between inspiration and plagiarism, so make sure you’re on the right side of the line.

5. Embrace the Process, Not Just the Outcome

Focusing solely on the outcome can stifle creativity. Instead, try to embrace the process of writing itself. Allow yourself to make mistakes, write poorly, and experiment with different styles and genres. The act of writing is a journey, and it’s through this journey that you often find the most profound inspiration.

Practical Tips to Keep Writing

Here are some additional practical tips to help you keep writing, even when inspiration seems elusive:

Set Specific Goals: Whether it’s writing a certain number of words each day or completing a chapter each week, having specific goals can help keep you on track.

Find a Writing Community: Surround yourself with other writers who can offer support, feedback, and encouragement. Join a writing group, participate in workshops, or connect with other writers online. I know this one’s not easy for a lot of creative types, myself included; being creative is often isolating, and it’s hard to break out of that.

Keep a Journal: Use a journal to jot down ideas, thoughts, and observations. It can be a valuable resource when you’re struggling to find inspiration.

Take Breaks: Sometimes, stepping away from your work can give you the clarity you need. Take breaks, go for a walk, play with your children or pets. Engage in a different activity for a bit to refresh your mind.

Be Kind to Yourself: Writing is hard work, and remembering to be kind to yourself is sometimes hard. As creatives, we are often our own worst critics. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.

Conclusion

Inspiration is not something you wait for; it’s something you create. By drawing from your own life, observing the world around you, setting a routine, engaging with other creative works, and embracing the process, you can cultivate your own inspiration and keep writing consistently.

So, stop waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect idea. Start writing now, and let the act of writing itself be your muse.

[zennis]

If you’re having trouble finding 8hrs to watch the entire show, you’ll wanna find 10mins to watch this vid — it tells you all you need to know about the lead performance. So awesome you forget who’s behind the prosthetics, or even that there are prosthetics involved. But if you can find 8hrs, this is the show to watch.

[writinghobby]

Stay Motivated by Ditching Creative Slumps!

https://storyexpress.info/

[ironfoxtypewriters]

Admit it, there is a very real and somewhat hidden part of you that wants to do what all of your favorite Instagram and Tiktok accounts you follow do...Find JUST the right spot in a well traveled city park or a small sidewalk table on a quaint little main street in the nearest bohemian type town, setup a tiny portable typewriter and just start writing. Maybe folks stop and ask questions, maybe they commission some words, or maybe you just get to enjoy the creative process set against a beautiful and interesting backdrop that can provide as much peace and solitude as it can opportunity for meaningful social interaction. But alas, the dream is just that...absent a fantastic ultra portable writing machine that's as clean and well kept as it is lightweight and reliable you feel resigned to watching the creative world through a handheld window.

But then you remember about another account that you follow, and you chance a look at their website to find something new and there is it! A nearly new-in-box, freshly serviced robins egg blue 1983 Brother Charger Ultra Portable Typewriter....

Want more details? You gotta check out the listing on my website or Etsy shop (links in bio)....Your friendly neighborhood companion in revolution,

[ladygreytea]

just to warn you i think i'm doing writenow again (with a more appropriately YA submission) and you are all going to have to deal with that

[scifrey]

I am going LIVE with the Create Write Now! Podcast today at 1pmPT/ 4pmET to discuss how fanfiction can make you a better writer. We'll be taking questions live from the chat stream, so I hope to see you there!

[fanficsbyse]

WriteNow A Thon

Want to learn some writing tips? Want to hear some discussions ranging from Mental Health to AI to talk about genres like memoirs or romance or how to make money as a writer? Want to meet other writers?

Come check out the WriteNow A Thon event! We are in day 2 of 3, kicking it off at 12pm EST. We have several professionals coming to talk live about various topics, writing games, giveaways, and networking!

[doronjosama]

Today's eBay spotlight (Seller ID: RadioIndy)! Write Now! #6 from 2004! The only magazine dedicated to comic writers & their craft, featuring Brian Michael Bendis, Mike Wieringo & more from TwoMorrows! #comics #writenow #comicmagazine #mikewieringo #brianmichaelbendis #2004 #twomorrows #ComicCollector #comicdealer #auctions #ebay #RadioIndy #DownsizingMyCollection #EverythingMustGo #BuyMyStuff

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[robertagibsonwrites]

Wrong Turn Anthology Coming Out In September

Where have I been? Writing of course. But now it’s time to warm up the blog again because I’ve got some news. So excited to announce that my short suspense story “Hitman Walked into a Romance” will be published in the next Desert Sleuths Anthology,  So West:Wrong Turn. It will be released in time for our annual WriteNow conference around September 22, 2023. Stay tuned for details!  

[thepoetheroic]

Green Tea Jesse Thomas

The Poet Heroic

Poem of the Week

11.1.24

Poetry #Poem #PoetryCommunity #WritersOfTumblr #InstaPoetry #PoetryLovers #SpokenWord #Wordsmith #Poet #CreativeWriting #Poetic #WritersLife #WriteNow #Literary #TumblrPoets

[propalahramota]

Didn't make it to the WriteNow long list, thoughts and prayers

[mysterious-team]

Coggin Galbreath - Writer

Coggin Galbreath is a writer, performer and occasional drag queen, born in America, studied in Scotland, currently living in Newcastle. They are developing BOOTCUT, a country-western drag show about anti-LGBT+ laws, with Curious Arts in Newcastle. They are part of Penguin’s 2023 WriteNow development programme for emerging novelists.

[ironfoxtypewriters]

Nearly back to normal operating speed! Finishing up the backlog of client machines that I took on immediately after the #hanks media blitz. Looking to have new sticker designs, some new apparel and of course a stream of newly serviced machines hitting the shop in the next 2 months. For now, pick up some of these awesome #publictypewriterproject stickers and help keep that project on its feet.

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..

#thismachinekillsfascists #ironfoxtypewriters #typewriterjunkies #typewriterrevolution #writeintentionally #writenow #vintagetypewriter #typewritersofinstagram #igwriters #tumblrpoets #tumblrauthors #authorsoftumblr #writers #typewriter #newjersey #literacy #tomhankstypewriter #vintagecool #counterculture #typewriterrepair #typewritercommunity #typosphere #retrolife #retrostyle

[ladygreytea]

erm no promises whether i'll actually send you anything but who wants to help me choose 1000 words of my fantasy project to enter the penguin writenow programme with