If writer’s block truly exists, then, in my humble opinion, it is nothing more than missing inspiration. If I’m inspired, nothing can stop me from writing.
Inspiration is the “Right mood” for the intercourse between the writer and the page.
It’s the thing that sends you scurrying for the candles and wine glasses, makes you light the fireplace and get that comforter out of the chest in the front hall, open the chocolates and put on the stereo … so to speak.
What? Too much imagery?
Okay, fine!
Inspiration is the thing that makes me grab my note pad out of my back pocket and scribble notes that I will hopefully understand later.
The truth is that if I just hold the inspiration in my mind (if I can), it retains much more of the mood and intention, then if I make hastily scratched notes and come back to them later.
But wait, where is that stuff found?
Well, I find it in my head. Which is why it’s best kept there. My memory is more capable of recording all the subtle nuances of what I’ve been struck by when inspiration picks up some blunt object and sneaks up behind me, raising it’s arms high above the back of my head and taking careful …
Of course, it has to have been initiated by something I’ve seen, heard, felt or smelled, but then it congeals inside my mind and no where else, like the jelly that gathers on the plate that the leftover ham is stored on in the refrigerator after the big family gathering that was to celebrate …
And once there?
Once the “inspiration” occurs, takes root and grows into something substantial, it can be molded into something worthwhile. Once lodged in my brain, I can stand in the middle of it, virtually, and look around. I can create scenes and develop characters, try different plot points and shuffle timelines around.
Inspiration is a wonderful thing. Being inspired can be the difference between enjoying your work and struggling with it. And struggling with your work can be as damaging in the end results as enjoying it can be strengthening and helpful.
What makes a piece “inspired?”
And enjoying your work, enjoying the writing, can give the end result an energy that your reader can sense and feel. And that makes the words work. It makes the plot enticing and the characters intriguing.
In short, inspiration won’t likely save a bad story, but it will make it better. And it can make a good story great.
