I Only Write When I’m Inspired…

I Only Write When I’m Inspired…

This quote is credited to William Faulkner.

And many a writer waits for that inspiration, that muse, those boys in the basement, as Stephen King calls them, to rise up and sprinkle inspiration like Tinkerbell’s fairy dust.

Yes, when the muse finally arrives, the words will flow, the brilliance from my writing space will light the whole neighborhood. Move over, Tolkien. Watch out, Hemingway. Here I come. Meanwhile, I’ll play Free Cell until he shows up.

But, wait, there’s more to this quote that many aspiring writers miss:

Fortunately, I am inspired at nine o’clock every morning.

Inspiration isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we pull out of ourselves every day.

Before I stepped into full time writing, there were many days I didn’t feel “inspired” to go to work. But I went, not always in the best mood. Once there, the inspiration came. Sometimes it started as doing what I had to do to get through the day. Soon, however, it changed into doing my job by putting my best into it with a goal to arrive at the end of the day saying I did my best and produced quality work.

When I still had a day job, I got up at 4:00 a.m. to write. This created an hour-and-a-half of writing time I didn’t have before. Many times, that was all the writing time I had for that day.

You better believe I was inspired when I sat down at that keyboard. That time was precious. I was not going to waste ir waiting for some temperamental muse to decide to show up. I started to write and he showed up every day. He soon appeared on time. And we worked.

As Jack London said, “Don’t loaf and invite inspiration; light out after it with a club, and if you don’t get it you will none the less get something that looks remarkably like it.”

How about you? Do you wait for your muse or do you call him forth? Or do you just start writing and wait for him to catch up?

8 Responses to I Only Write When I’m Inspired…

  1. Steve Lindley July 18, 2012 at 3:07 pm #

    The Lord gives me music for praise and worship. Your article concerning being inspired is helpful. You are a blessing!

  2. Kariss Lynch July 18, 2012 at 3:23 pm #

    I think I start writing and wait for Him to catch up. It sure helps when he strikes and I least expect it. Great post, and good reminder!

  3. Henry July 18, 2012 at 5:53 pm #

    Thank you, Steve.

  4. Henry July 18, 2012 at 5:54 pm #

    I know what you mean, Kariss. Thise days when the words flow, I know its His fingers on the keyboard.
    Blessings

  5. Carole Brown July 19, 2012 at 4:22 pm #

    Good advice. Thanks!

  6. Rachelle July 19, 2012 at 11:32 pm #

    Great post, Henry. You inspired me today – and made me laugh! I’ve been guilty of that Freecell Muse far too many times! Thanks!!

  7. Julie Marx July 20, 2012 at 6:21 pm #

    Good post, Henry. I guess I’m one to start writing and wait for the muse to catch up. That means extra editing later. But at least I’m having fun in the process. LOL

  8. Stephanie Sorensen August 16, 2012 at 6:45 pm #

    I heartily Agree.
    I woke up a few years ago and told the Lord I didn’t have much inspiration to write that day.
    His Response?:
    “Stay close to Me, Start typing, and it will come.”

    I love it!

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