I've never understood this. I guess because I never set out to "be a writer". I had this crazy story land on me and I've been desperately trying to get it written ever since. It's only been in this process that I realized there are stories everywhere that clamor for the telling. Now I can't get this WIP done fast enough so I can write all the others. I don't need "inspiration". I need TIME! LOL!
Inspiration is one of the best feelings in the world and I am so thrilled when it decides to arrive. But as you've said, my job is to arrive at the page day after day regardless.
When we do our job of showing up, I fully believe inspiration will meet us there. Not every single time in the thrilling, best-feeling way you describe, but the odds of that are certainly greater when we're there, ready.
I am reminded of a piece I wrote about how starting to research feels a lot like falling in love ...
Those heady amazing days when suddenly new love arrives in our lives are so special. Again, the best feeling in the world. But real love requires day to day work and showing up even when you don't want to and experiencing all different kinds of emotions ... sometimes it's once again brilliant and dazzling and sometimes it's something else.
Hey! I remember that piece. It was one of the first I read when I landed on Substack (and probably triggered my finger to hit your subscribe button). That analogy is spot-on.
Aw. That warms my heart. I have been super busy sharing writing that's related to my current book tour and research but I look forward to sharing some more personal experience pieces like this one in the months to come.
I've never understood this. I guess because I never set out to "be a writer". I had this crazy story land on me and I've been desperately trying to get it written ever since. It's only been in this process that I realized there are stories everywhere that clamor for the telling. Now I can't get this WIP done fast enough so I can write all the others. I don't need "inspiration". I need TIME! LOL!
Inspiration is one of the best feelings in the world and I am so thrilled when it decides to arrive. But as you've said, my job is to arrive at the page day after day regardless.
When we do our job of showing up, I fully believe inspiration will meet us there. Not every single time in the thrilling, best-feeling way you describe, but the odds of that are certainly greater when we're there, ready.
I am reminded of a piece I wrote about how starting to research feels a lot like falling in love ...
Those heady amazing days when suddenly new love arrives in our lives are so special. Again, the best feeling in the world. But real love requires day to day work and showing up even when you don't want to and experiencing all different kinds of emotions ... sometimes it's once again brilliant and dazzling and sometimes it's something else.
https://createmefree.substack.com/p/the-research-phase-in-writing-feels
Hey! I remember that piece. It was one of the first I read when I landed on Substack (and probably triggered my finger to hit your subscribe button). That analogy is spot-on.
Aw. That warms my heart. I have been super busy sharing writing that's related to my current book tour and research but I look forward to sharing some more personal experience pieces like this one in the months to come.
Show up and the universe conspires ❤️
Indeed it does!