I’m a writer. It’s more than what I do. It’s who I am. Writing is ingrained in me. I believe it’s as much a part of me as being quirky or organized, introverted or joyful. That said, writing doesn’t always come easy.

Most people take for granted the books they read, the movies they watch, and the music they listen to. A lot of thought and effort goes into the writing behind each of these. People see the finished products. They hear the famous artists and bands singing the hit chart-toppers, but they seldom see the painstaking hours that go into the actual writing of every line of the songs. It takes a lot of work to write…anything!

Some argue that writing is a choice, and to an extent, I agree. Writing is a skill. It needs to be practiced and the art can be learned and improved upon. Creating a habitual routine can be critical in the writing process. No one’s going to complete a manuscript if they don’t actually sit down and write. But what most people don’t think about is that the manuscript isn’t all written in one, glorious, inspired sitting. 

Okay, so now we’ve honed our craft, studied the art of writing, and established a consistent pattern of producing actual words. Now what? Now, we consider what writing is all about—the passion, the inspiration, the reason we writers bother to write at all. So, sit down, sharpen your pencil, straighten your paper, annnnd…GO! 

Not exactly how it works, is it? Inspiration doesn’t just pop up when you need it. It isn’t like you can call it up on demand. This is why a lot of writers carry around a journal to jot down ideas as they come, in the moment. Then, you can go back to the ideas later and expand without having to demand inspiration show up on your doorstep when it’s convenient for you.

But has anyone ever stopped to think about how inconvenient inspiration actually is sometimes? I mean, really! Not everyone’s like this, but more often than not, I’ll get an idea right after I’ve turned out my light and pulled my covers over my head. Talk about inconvenient! Then I find myself writing in my head and really liking what I’m coming up with (either I’m too caught up in the excitement in the moment or I’m just too tired to see the flaws as they come, or I could just be really big-headed, haha! Kidding). Unfortunately, I can’t go to sleep with all of these ideas swimming in my head and if I wait until morning to write them down…I’ve lost them. And that’s all the more frustrating. 

Well, my sister wrote and published this poem on Wattpad. (She’s really very clever with most of her poetry, in my opinion. I’ve added the link, so you can check her out if you’re interested! Leave her a comment to tell her what you think and tell her I sent you!) I share this because I think all you writers will enjoy it and will relate, as I do.

A Poet’s Strife

Poetry grows as a function of pain.

Organized anguishes conquer your brain.

Brilliance is a burden so rare,

You can not ignore it, so it you must bear.

You will not sleep; no, you’re not allowed.

You’re a slave to the page ’til it’s all written down.

The night is long gone, but there’s no time to mourn:

As the sun starts to rise, a young poem is born.

You lament for lost sleep as you stumble around.

Your heart in your ears is a deafening sound.

The pain has subsided, but you’re well aware

That though it’s appeased, it is always still there.

Inspiration lurks, ever waiting to strike.

It exclusively chooses a time you don’t like.

Try as you might, you are bound to the pen,

And after each respite, it comes back again.

~Isabella T.

She nailed it on the head for me! I was sitting in my room, talking with her and lamenting over the fact that I couldn’t think of anything to write for tonight’s post. I’m a month into it and just suddenly uninspired? Nope. I’ve got a whole list of ideas for posts, but as I read over them, nothing seemed to click…until she said this (of inspiration):

“It comes from the weirdest of places. It comes at the worst of times. You have to write it down, or you’ll forget it. Half the time you don’t even use it anyways. When you want it, it won’t come, but when you don’t want it, it’s there.”

Low and behold, I suddenly had an idea! Her poem and her quote really resonated with me, and I’m so thankful that I have a sister who understands my struggle! So, tonight I don’t have some profound life lesson, and I won’t always have some inspired idea to share. But I have made a commitment to write and to do so regularly, so tonight I share my frustration and my amusement.

This blog is a place for me to put my random, rambling thoughts to paper, so to speak. It’s a place to hold me accountable and for me to make time to do what I love. It’s a place for me to connect with all of you and to learn and grow in my writing. Sometimes, writer’s block is a part of the deal. And just as we have those high, mountaintop inspiration moments, we also have those low, tapping-your-pencil-on-the-table bored moments. 

Writer’s can’t just write on demand, but the writing is within us nonetheless. It comes and goes of its own accord. Boy, when it does come, it’s almost agonizing. The ideas torment you until you get them out! Characters plague you and taunt you, they pick at you when you don’t get their story right and they pull some crazy punches when you aren’t looking. They throw wrenches in your story and expect you to pick up the pieces. Anyone who ever said writing was easy was either lying or a genius. 

What gives you inspiration to write? What stories have you read (books, movies, songs, plays, etc.) that you thought were truly inspired and/or inspiring? When does inspiration find you? How do you handle it? What do you do when you can’t find the motivation to write or when inspiration seems to have left you high and dry?

Do any of you out there sympathize with me? Let me know! Tonight is our night to share in the discussion of the inconvenience of inspiration!

Love always,
Coralie