Inspiration is all around us. It motivates us to do our best and to just keep going, no matter what. Inspiration also comes in many forms and means something different to everyone. It could be a dearest friend or a meaningful song, as well as everything in between.
From a writer's view, it means even more. Without inspiration, where would I be? Could I write without inspiration? If the words won't flow out on paper and I don't see them appear on the computer screen, I'm really not inspired and I'm really not writing. I don't think I could be a writer if I didn't have inspiration. I also know I'm not the only writer around, so I thought I'd interview some Times Writers to see what they thought.
7stars: Where do you often find inspiration?
jank03: Inspiration is all around us. Whenever you walk down the street, go to school, go to work, take a stroll in the park, no matter where you are, there's inspiration. But it takes a special kind of person to take advantage of that inspiration. Writers, singers, heroes, etc., are the sort of people that take advantage of the inspiration and turn it into something great that they love and hopefully others do too. In my case, inspiration comes from my family the most. Let it be by talking to my mother or playing sports with my brothers, I can always find inspiration in my family.
Holiday50: I find inspiration in music or my past experiences.
Morgan612: I find inspiration everywhere. Everywhere. In movies, music, books, my friends, nature, in everything I see. Anything can get my mind flowing with inspiration.
msof57: Music, definitely my music. Any song can inspire me to write. But when it's not music, it's mainly things that I find interesting, such as little quotes or pictures/paintings.
Wicked777: Everywhere. Music - especially from Broadway musicals and 60s bands - is probably one of the most inspirational things in my life. I also use books, people, and memories for inspiration. The fun is in taking something familiar and turning it into something new.
7stars: When do you feel most inspired?
jank03: I feel most inspired when I have something to say that really means a lot to me. If I am writing about a social or family issue, or a favourite band or politician, that's when I feel the most inspired.
Holiday50: I feel most inspired when I'm listening to music with lyrics that I can relate to or when I'm dwelling on a memory.
Morgan612: I feel most inspired usually late at night. I spend all day being inspired and thinking of things to write about. Late at night is usually when I write it all down.
msof57: At night. Stars, the universe, space . .. they're very magical to me.
Wicked777: After listening to a good song or learning something new. Sunsets and wintertime are huge inspiration to me.
7stars: When you don't have inspiration, what do you do?
jank03: When I don't have inspiration, I don't write. I don't go looking for inspiration because than that's not REAL inspiration. Inspiration looks for you, we don't look for it.
Holiday50: Usually, I relax for a couple days and clear my head. To me, relaxing is snuggling up on the couch and reading a good book.
Morgan612: I either listen to music or go outside. When it's summertime I like to go outside and swing, or look for four leaf clovers, or find dandelions, and it will usually help me become inspired. I also listen to music, most often Backseat Goodbye.
msof57: I will sit down and write about anything. I could write about how angry or happy I am about something, a little blurb of something that popped into my head. I just write until a story develops.
Wicked777: I accept it. I just write what I'm thinking, babble on about nothing for a bit, and pretty soon I'm making my own inspiration.
7stars: How do you feel when you're inspired?
jank03: When I am inspired I feel like I can endlessly write, I have the whole world at my feet. The feeling of inspiration is like no other. It is the joy of being able to do something that you feel so passionate about. Inspiration is an inspiration on its own.
Holiday50: It's hard to describe. I get this rush to write down all of my thoughts before they go away and only focus on expressing the inspiration.
Morgan612: I feel amazing. I feel like I can write forever and ever and it feels so great.
msof57: I'm usually very, very serious. If anyone dares disturb me while I'm inspired they're in for a lot of trouble . . .
Wicked777: If you listen to "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked and really pay attention to the lyrics, you'll understand exactly what inspiration means to me. It's like knocking down all the walls and seeing something in a completely new light. When I'm inspired, world is truly limitless.
7stars: Do you think inspiration affects your writing? If so, how?
jank03: Of course inspiration affects my writing. My writing is based around my inspiration. When I right for the Times or when I write for the joy of it I can always voice MY opinion. However, in my profession of real life journalism, I cannot always voice my own opinion in my writing. In journalism you have to be a crowd pleaser, you want people to agree and disagree with your judgment. Journalism doesn't always give me the opportunity to be able to voice my own thoughts and opinions on issues or topics, that's why I love writing for the Whyville Times because I am guaranteed to be able to voice my opinion here.
Holiday50: I think that different types of inspiration affect my writing differently. I am a better writer when I draw from past experiences. It gives me a personal connection with my writing.
Morgan612: It affects my writing greatly. If I write something with no inspiration behind it you can tell. My best writing comes when I'm most inspired.
msof57: Inspiration has EVERYTHING to do with my writing. If it weren't for inspiration, I wouldn't be writing for the Times.
Wicked777: Yes! When I'm not inspired, my writing sounds forced and awkward. When inspiration strikes, it's almost effortless to write pages and pages.
7stars: Any final thoughts?
jank03: Inspiration finds you. Don't force yourself to find inspiration because that's when your real inspiration starts slipping away from you. Go with what your heart tells you.
Holiday50: I'm inspired by anything that triggers an emotion. The best inspiration comes to me when I least expect it.
msof57: Inspiration is a tricky subject, and you have to train yourself to become inspired. The trick to writing while inspired is to not care how stupid you look. Stupidity is genius that has not been thought out well.
Wicked777: Anyone in need of inspiration should listen to the song "Louder Than Words" by Jonathan Larson. It makes a person want to get up and sing.
So there you have it. Inspiration is undoubtedly important in everything we do, but even more so in writing. Without inspiration, there really is no writing (or at least not GOOD writing). And if you're anything like me, that's a real bummer. So whatever you do, let inspiration in. It's all around you! If you accept it and use it, you can accomplish great things. Trust us Times Writers; I think we know what we're talking about.
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