Where Does Inspiration Come From?

Paul tinkles the ivories with the Beatles 'Let it Be'

Artists Inspire Artists
I was at my brother's piano recital yesterday and had a very interesting conversation with his 92 year old piano teacher and one of her students. The student, who was an artist and had only started learning to play the piano, was talking about how she used sound to teach painting. A long stroke was a 'shoosh' and making short, staccato brush movements went 'bup, bup, bup'. I smiled and thought about how all creative types overlapped, embracing all elements of culture to enrich one's specific area of skill and passion. A sculptor or painter often creates to music and, as a writer, I definitely pull from my cultural experiences, whether it's a symphony or an art gallery, to help formulate descriptions of feelings and senses to lay out on a printed page.

Nature Inspires
Creative types see the world around them just a bit differently, which leads to the creation of books, paintings, music scores and movies and a litany of other sources of entertainment for all to enjoy.

I was looking at this little creature as I sat peacefully drinking my coffee just the other day. He was minding his own business, seemingly enjoying the ride on his leaf, that was gently bouncing in the breeze. Now, this is a strange looking bug, I thought as I took another sip. Then I chuckled out loud... this was the type of vision that would inspire the likes of an animator working for Pixar. Add a little size and color to this little fella and, voila! He could have proudly stood next to Sully in Monsters, Inc. I certainly never know where my inspiration will come from but I know how to put myself in the places both physically and mentally where I'm most likely to release the creative juices I need to do my job. And, no matter where I go or what I'm doing, I'm always absorbing life!

Thanks for inviting me to your recital, Paul. It was inspiring. I think I'll pick up my guitar when I get back to Thailand.

Guest Blog - Mari Barnes, Author of My Peace Place

I'm very pleased to host Mari Barnes today as part of her virtual book tour for her book, My Peace Place. Mari is participating in D'Vorah Lansky's Book Marketing Boot Camp , which is where we 'met'. Take it away Mari! Eye on the Why I read this recent post from a discouraged new author: My friends don't seem very excited about my new book. Does no one read anymore? I've sold 4 whole copies so far. That did more than ring a bell—it set a gong clanging in my mind. I remember those days too well. Some friends and family weren’t even reading gift copies of my book, much less actually spending money to support me. It created a hollow feeling unlike anything I can adequately describe but despair, disappointment and betrayal all come close. How could they not understand how important this is to me? Haven’t I bought every Girl Scout cookie--supported every sport, church and school fundraiser? When little Cindy Lou was selling crocheted key rings, who boug...

Writing Process? What Writing Process?

Ah, the ever elusive 'writing process'. I've been a writer for years but as an author I’m a fairly new having published my first book in 2011 and two more since. Over the past three years I’ve been happily writing away, working towards my dreams of being a famous novelist, and feel pretty good about a strong ‘author voice’ that seems to be developing. The more you write the closer you get to finding the voice that’s uniquely yours, pulling bits and pieces from those you admire and drawing from your own experiences and mental meanderings. I think the same goes for landing on a writing process that works for you. However, I’m having a slightly more difficult time nailing that down. I read a blog a while ago that talked about famous writers’ writing processes. I found it fascinating as I struggle to find one that works for me day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year. I did a search to see if I could find that particular blog again so I could at least giv...

Writing...Just because!

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