Friday, October 26, 2012

The Most Interesting Thing: Clubbing for Inspiration

“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” - Jack London
Lately I've been feeling uninspired. I've been working on various projects, but because of "recent events that shall remain nameless" my enthusiasm has waned. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up one of these mornings and feel that spark again. But as Mr. London said, I can't wait around for inspiration, I must go after it with a club. So what am I going to do? I'm going to grab that club and beat the heck out of the snide monster inside my head that's stealing my creativity and joy. I'm going to set goals. I'm going to read more books. I'm going to reach out to all of you for help. Please remind me of all the reasons I should not give up!

How do you go after inspiration with a club?

27 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh...glad you are reaching out. Don't give up because you have stories to tell that kids want to read. I've seen first hand the impact the books that are written have on kids whether it makes them laugh out loud or cry with relief because they aren't the only ones who feel that way. All it takes is _one_ book for _one_ child or teen at the right time. And your books could be that one. Plus, this is your passion. You are a writer, a storyteller and I firmly believe that you can write yourself around those mountains. Heck, you can move them.

    Yeah on the club, lol. So, I guess I'd say I go after inspiration with a club when I think of the opportunity to get out there with my books and inspire kids with stories. Hang in there, friend.

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  2. Never give up, never surrender! I've been there. I know how deflating and how maddening it can be. Definitely read. Take time to look around, too. I found my little project 365 photo blog to be a tremendous inspiration in the simple fact that it forced me to look at the smallest and most ordinary things around me in a whole new light.

    Go to story time at the library just for some inspiration. Eavesdrop. Go to the movies. Think of how you would do it differently.

    Let life fill you up for a while. Sending ((hugs)) and good vibes for inspiration!

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  3. Oh my gosh, I just wrote this terribly long pump you up post and the Internet ate it. But I'm not giving up! Nor should you, because that's usually right about the time things are gonna happen.

    You can do this. I like Mary Ann's ideas. Also explore your new neighborhood. Volunteer somewhere new and different, a food pantry, an animal shelter, reading at a local library or elementary school. Let the kids invigorate you.

    You are awesome.

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  4. This is actually happening at the perfect time, if you think about it. There's nothing more "clubbing for inspiration" than Nanowrimo! I know this isn't generally the way you write, but maybe a new project with no pressures and no preconceived ideas would be a breath of fresh air right now? Just a thought.

    Also, we ALL go through this. So even though you may feel alone, you are not. For me, what I regularly have to come back to is focusing on writing for myself and what I personally get out of the process. This business is definitely not for the faint of heart. But you are not faint of heart. You just need some time off for good behavior!

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    1. Drafting a new novel might be just what I need right now.

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  5. Someone is going to succeed, Angi -- WHY NOT YOU!? I certainly believe in you and your incredible talent. Meanwhile..."If you are going through hell, keep on going. Never, never, never give up," ~ Winston Churchill

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  6. HaHa! When I read your post title, I thought you were going to say you went out clubbing (i.e. to a nightclub) for inspiration. See how your post sparked my imagination? But yeah, get out, study people, read, watch a movie, read the newspaper - just exposing yourself could spark something in your imagination. Then ask yourself "What If..."

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    1. I was wondering who'd be the first to think "night club". Might not be a bad idea. LOL.

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    2. I thought the same thing! The funny part was, I even extended it to the Jack London quote, and pictured him drinking and dancing. ;-)

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  7. Oh my gosh, Gwen just totally read my mind. I also had a flash of a strobe light and Long Island iced teas!

    I am here if you ever want to talk. Having just gone through all my craziness, I definitely know how it feels to be in a new place with all its uncertainty. Hope you have a better day!

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  8. Club that nasty monster! Listen to music, spend time outdoors with nature, look for a writing partner in the area to meet with weekly. Make that spark reappear and stay lit.

    We all suffer from time to time.

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    1. Good suggestions. Coping with frustration is not one of my gifts.

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  9. Hmm ... I don't think I've ever been able to get inspired with the caveman approach. (Which isn't to say that it can't work, just that it hasn't worked for me.)

    With an ongoing project, it helps to ask myself what I'm really trying to say or show, and hew to that, ditching all the parts I thought I "had" to write. Usually, zeroing back in on the heart of the project excites me.

    To conjure up a new project, it helps to read, enjoy other art forms, hike, and just play. Play with ideas, play with beginnings, play with characters.

    The common thread is that I look for the fun. If I'm having fun with a project, my energy is boundless.

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    1. Thanks for that, Jenn. I think that's the biggest problem. I haven't been having much fun with my writing lately. I need a project I can play with. ^_^

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  10. Ahhhh! You once threw me a cyber rope-of-hope. So here it is...catch it! Grab it! Hold on, sister! (And don't let go until you've found the will and the want to keep on.) I believe in YOU. Your followers here, believe in YOU.

    I know how you feel. I've been there, ugh, so many times. Actually, I just crawled out of the hole again. I agree with Jennifer. Have fun with what you're writing. Sometimes it's projects like this (ACE?) that kick our fannies out of a writing slump. But whatever you do, do not give up. Don't let the "what shall remain nameless" win. You're a survivor. I just know it. :))

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  11. The tough parts of this business can really steal your joy. I agree with reading more, doing a few different things (in life, not writing), and finding a project that will be fun for you and that you can tell yourself is for your eyes only until you're darn good and ready to show it to anybody.

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  12. So glad you're fighting those nasty voices of doubt, Angelina. Don't give in. The thing that works best for me is reading. I give myself permission not to write for a week or two and then I can totally immerse myself in some good books. My creativity comes back and by the end of that two weeks I'm just dying to get back to writing.
    Wishing you all the best as you keep clubbing until you find what works for you!

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    1. Yep. I've read three books in the past 24 hours. ^_^

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  13. What a great quote! Now I'm off to find a club. Thanks.

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  14. Get yourself a new mantra, in fact borrow mine Angelina...

    'I can do this! '

    Now go pick up that pen, or open that laptop, and just write...

    Anything and everything that comes into your mind. Don't stop until you know you have the beginnings of something. It'll come to you.

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