How To Be Inspired

We had our first booksigning for Wicked Weaves last weekend. Invariably, the question always comes up: what inspires you to write?

A recent poll I read said that a whopping 70 percent of unpublished writers feel the need to be inspired to write. That number dropped significantly among published writers to only 15 per cent.

What’s the difference?

Is it because published writers have succeeded in reaching the first goal on the ladder? Even if they aren’t making a substantial amount of money, they have been published and that’s enough to keep them going? It gives them something to look forward to and keeps the words flowing?

Rejections can be heartbreaking. A friend of mine recently had her first novel accepted—after 15 years of having her novels rejected. That’s a long time to argue with your spouse for more time or feel like you’re cheating your kids or that you’re spending too much money on your ‘hobby’. Especially when you already have a file full of rejections! Her story is one I’ll share here later.

There’s also a difference in professionalism among published authors. They’ve begun to see themselves as ‘working writers’. Even if they’re still working other jobs as nurses and teachers. They begin to think of themselves as writers who teach or writers who take care of sick children. One writer I know who has her first book published and is working on her second, sees herself as a writer who is doing research on her engineer’s job for a novel. That’s a unique approach!

Writing something every day is essential to becoming a stronger writer. Even if you can only devote ten minutes to your craft, it’s better than nothing. This can be a hard business to get into . . . and to stay in. The most important thing you can do for yourself as a writer is become a better writer. You can’t do that sitting around waiting for the muse to strike!

Try sharing the secret of published authors. Think yourself into being a writer. You have to write something each day because it’s what you do. It’s who you are. The world might think of you as a bus driver or a an office assistant but you know better. In your heart, you’re a writer. Go out there and write!

Joyce Lavene