According to the Oxford dictionary, inspiration is:
The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
But, does it really exist, or is it just a myth?
Back in primary school, we were all taught that writing, and art creation in general, requires something called – inspiration.
Is it some kind of a strange spirit that forces you to create? Is it some kind of a daemon that whispers in your ear? Is it a god or something fourth?
Many writers blame this invisible force for their lack of productivity.
I would have written this magnificent novel if only I could’ve found the inspiration.
How many times have you heard this famous line; or even better, how many times have you said it yourself?
I bet you have done this quite a lot. We all did before we decided to act upon it.
If you ask me, inspiration is just an excuse for procrastination and unwillingness to face the problem of creation, whatever that problem might be.
Inspiration is something that happens while you work
As far as I can remember, Nabokov was one to say this first, but I couldn’t agree more.
It takes three ‘D-s’ to be a writer.
- Determination – one must firmly say – I am going to write that novel, story, script…
- Dedication – one must dedicate itself fully to the profession, or blame lack of inspiration for failure.
- Discipline – one must sit every day and write. It can be one page, paragraph, sentence, or even adding or erasing a comma; it is still writing.
However, the best practice is to set up a daily word count and stick to it. Once you have your 3D-s, you will be able to get yourself into a writing position and do it.
Sometimes, it will be bad, or difficult, and sometimes it will be easy and good.
Sometimes, your creative juices will work in your favor and you will be able to create the most brilliant piece of art and more often you will suffer because nothing will be going the way you planned, but it will have nothing to do with the thing called inspiration.
It is supposed to be like that; writing is hard work.
And trust me, after you knock out these 300 words on a bad day, you will feel like a Hercules; not to mention hitting 2500, on a good day.