Lately I've been thinking a lot about what inspires me. What is it that makes me sit in front of the computer and write an outrageous number of words? What drives me to spends hours upon hours revising a manuscript over and over again?
Well, we all have our goals. We all want to do something bigger and better that what we are currently doing in our lives. That's not to say that we're unhappy, because I can honestly say that I love my day job. I'm fortunate enough to have a job that revolves around creativity and being my own person. I love that. But there's a part of me that needs so much more. I turned to writing because it was a passion I've had since I was a child. Whether it was a journal or a blog, I always found myself connected to words. Just by the way you can string them together to create some source of emotion or thought. I'd poor my heart out as if I were exposing myself to the world. That's what it feels like, doesn't it? It's like you're opening yourself up and showing everyone who you really are, because everything we say on paper is a piece of you that was created from an event or moment in your life.
It takes a lot for us to work up the courage to show anyone what we write. Handing over your manuscript to be critiqued can sometimes be the toughest thing you ever do. We're basically handing over our work and saying "Rip it apart and tell me how to make it better." And even though you know that's what you're asking these people to do, it still doesn't soften the blow when you receive those critiques with all those bright yellow notes saying "FIX THIS."
So why do we put ourselves through this torture? Because we have a passion for what we do, and we want more than anything to become the best that we can be. Not only does my love for writing drive me to continue, but the support I receive from all of you each and every day inspires me. I'm not just talking about all the positive things you say to me to make me smile. (Though I do love that very much.) I'm talking about the way you all support one another. When I go online and see how everyone gets along, and how we all motivate each other to keep writing ALL THE WORDS throughout the day, it makes me the happiest writer in the world. To be a part of such an awesome community makes all the difference to me. It makes me realize that where I am in life is exactly where I was meant to be.
So tell me, friends. What inspires you?
A lot of what inspires me is remembering that all the folks I've asked to tear my manuscript apart actually read it, comment on it, and tell me how to make it better. If they didn't think I had something worth working on, they wouldn't bother in the first place. I see all the "fix this" and "rewrite that" comments, but at the end of the day, I know it will make my writing better.
ReplyDeleteAnd nothing beats reading along in their notes and coming across a "HELL YES!" or a "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Those are the comments that make it all worthwhile.
I love how we all cheer for each other online, too. It's great to know I'm always a few clicks away from someone who will remind me why I keep writing. :)
I'm inspired by the fact that when I'm writing, I don't feel like I should be doing something else. By those moments when you get it JUST RIGHT and all the crappy sentences and paragraphs were worth struggling through.
ReplyDeleteAlso, because there are more ideas floating around my head than Nargles. The only way I know to rid myself of them is to write!
I have the urge to write, yes. But I also have the urge to quit, thinking my words are crap and no amount of revising will fix them. How can you polish a turd?
ReplyDeleteThen I get encouragement from my Crit partners, Jessa and Laura.
And then I'll get a flood of love from a beta reader that makes me parade down the street, holding up traffic and scaring the children.
You never know when your words will be the ones someone *needs* to hear. My ideas inspire me to write. Lovely people inspire me to KEEP GOING! :)
Also, thanks for not having a captcha.
ReplyDelete*humps blog*
What inspires me is when I've written something, shared it with someone else, and had someone tell me it made an impact on their life. Best feeling ever! I write to bring JOY to others!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am amazed by the kindness of the writing community. You'd think it would be closed. We're all technically competing against each other, when you think about it. But it's not like that at all. Everyone is there to motivate each other, to cheer each other on, and to share what they've learned on their writing journey. It's amazing!