Today was an #InspirationFail.
I attended an event that I thought had the potential to inspire future stories or characters. It did not. It wasn’t anyone’s fault that the lecture/talk didn’t live up to my hopes, but it didn’t. Maybe my expectations were too high. I left early.
But last night was an #InspirationPalooza!
On the very day my book deal was announced, there was a Dirty Dancing marathon on TV. (You remember the book right? The one that was pitched as Dirty Dancing meets How to make an American Quilt?)
Timing is everything!
I watched the movie one and a half times and it was a good kick in the pants reminding me of the chemistry that needs to come across on every page the way it does for Johnny and Baby in every scene. I’m inspired by nerdy nephew and the hotel owner because they don’t even know how out-of-touch they are. I’m inspired by the parents who just want a nice vacation and are oblivious to what their daughters are up to.
I guess this is a good lesson to grab inspiration for our writing where we find it, and how that might not always be where we think it will be.
What inspired your writing, or your stories today?
xo Amy
These photos are my inspiration for the scene I’m finishing up right now.
I sat with my hubs today following his eye surgery. Between putting in drops and fetching food, I wrote 2000 words on my WIP. I was shocked when I checked the count.
Now THAT inspires me!!
Congratulations on your book release.
I have no problem (so far) with inspiration, in fact – sometimes I have so many ideas that it’s hard to sort through to decide which is the best for now. I will often jot down those other book ideas so that I won’t loose them, but then I must focus on the idea with the loudest voice. Even then I can have problems along the way. When I reach a potential crossroad, I’ll have to ponder which direction to take my characters. This may take up to a week to work out where to go and how to get there. I always know the ending of the book, but getting there can involve many twists.
I have lots of ideas for future books simmering in my head and I hope to get to them all. Meanwhile I’ve started a new blog on WordPress to keep me writing daily.
Good for you! Good luck with the blog. Seems like that’s a great source of motivation for you.
My inspiration was when a writer whose much more prolific (and better–sigh) than I am said she thought her WIP was crap. Since I am at that point myself–and in the last chapter, no less–it made me feel at least good if not inspired that I wasn’t in the boat by myself.
I understand completely! I feel so lucky to still be in love with my story. I know the doubt will creep in at some point.
I was at the MD office with 95 yo Mom yesterday and two older ladies both sporting hearing aids talk loudly about their friendship as if they were teenagers. Every one had a smile on their faces. I pull my notebook and start writing about time- tested friendship.
Yes! I love this! My #InspirationFail was at a luncheon where most were decades older than me. They were kinda cranky though. And complainy.