Inspiration Comes in Odd Packages: A Writer’s Guide to Creative Fuel
From Music to Nature: Finding Your Unique Muse
Inspiration comes in odd packages. At least it does for me.
Recently, I was asked: “What inspires you to write?” I knew they expected a simple answer in a neat little package. Meanwhile, my mind is playing a slapstick version of animal, mineral, vegetable. Ever polite, I share the answer they want, “Life,” I say. Then I run off to tame the array of senses playing in my head.
Truly, it’s easier to discuss what doesn’t inspire me:
Rejection. I realize I’m missing an opportunity for growth, but—oh well. Instead, it takes me out for a short time. The only cure is writing again to make it all better.
People staring at their phones. Although, even this might birth a sad story about a lonely soul.
Okay, done.
Now let’s talk about the flip side. What seeds cause a writer to face the blank page, filling it with glorious words, until sated? I have a hunch my inspiration list will nourish yours just as yours would feed mine. My list grows, breathes, and begs for more, like a toddler in an unexplored room. When struck by a wild-hair writing prompt, it electrifies my soul. It taunts—just try and ignore me.
I won’t hold you hostage sharing all my writing seeds. So, here’s my best attempt to narrow down the creative stimuli that sends me to my friend, the keyboard.
Music
I’m particular about the music I play while writing, for good reason. When I want to grab my readers’ hearts and twist them until they beg for mercy, my go-to is Clair de Lune. It promises instant drama as you ride the crescendos. Brian Owens is my guy for romance. I didn’t know I had a string of sappy romance stories in me until the song Beautiful Love seduced me via earbuds. Need some attitude or romantic ambiance on the page? I recommend Amy Winehouse or Etta James. The lyrics have little to do with it; it’s all about the mood. Frankly, I don’t understand how people write without music. It sets the mood like candles, a sinister twist of the villain’s mustache, or a spritz of perfume on a lace hanky.
Caution: Beware when shuffling music channels. Your characters go rogue. The incompetent nerd flies solo during the 1812 Overture. A Mariachi band transforms your brawny hero into a bouncing, accordion-playing oompa-loompa. The light-hearted go dark. The comedy relief crew needs medication. You get the idea. Mix tapes are dangerous while writing.
Color
I never know when color will strike. Out of the blue (sigh), I get slapped with inspiration by red, aqua, purple, yellow, and, quite often, orange. As silly as it sounds, it’s as if I enter the heart of the color. Sometimes it whispers a story, other times it screams. But always, the color provides the perfect spirit to narrate the tale. I also have what I call, color memories. That’s when a color, print, or combo summons a vivid memory. For example, orange, red, and yellow send me back to a kindergarten performance of The Mexican Hat Dance. I was wearing a full skirt printed with Marigolds and Mums. We wore silk scarves as shawls and danced with every ounce of talent we could muster. When I see those colors, I can do anything, and do it well. Happy, carefree words dance onto my page, clickity, clickity clack.
Am I alone in this? Oops. Well, maybe your color revelations are less energetic. Like when you notice the blue eyes of the person in line behind you. You delve into them, imagining what swims in the deep cool pools—until they notice and fidget uncomfortably. Oops—just me again?
Nature
I know I’m not alone in finding inspiration in nature. Right? What writer remains dormant beneath a billowing tree or while finger-stirring a limpid pool? When I’m not on snake patrol or swatting mosquitoes, I too find the outdoors a plethora of eureka moments.
People
There are great characters all around you. At this moment, I’m in my favorite coffee shop. To my left are two guys seated side by side in front of a laptop screen, both nervously tapping their feet. Bearded gamers, veins itching to win. Competitors—longest beard, most profound ink, owner of the rarest game. These two are destined to be in a story about falling in love with the same woman.
Once, twenty-some years ago, I was trolling a thrift store for vintage treasures. Along came a white-haired man with three teeth and a hand-painted red mandolin. He followed me through the store singing (poorly) and playing the mandolin (even worse). In his defense, I did recognize the song as “The Girl from Ipanema.” Hello, writing prompt! This guy is ripe with opportunity. Just give him some teeth and talent, place him in Tiffany’s, and voila—love. To be honest, I’d prefer to write a story about this guy, as is. He’s more my style, romantically challenged. My point is: People are everywhere, and they supply a rich source of characterization.
I force myself out of the house just to people-watch. Now, granted they don’t always do something exciting or even slightly interesting. That’s okay. If they’re duds, you manipulate them, like puppets. What if that couple is discussing honeymoon plans? Or the old guy is remembering the way his wife of 60 years used to flirt with his cousin? What if the little boy at the counter sticks the candy bar in his pocket? Whatever happens next—you decide. Make that wimpy guy over yonder plant a big kiss on the hot chick next to him. Then what?
They don’t all have to be sitting around staring at their phones. Get ’em up and moving.
My Husband
All writers need someone like my hubby in their corner. Sandy, that’s him, is the perfect muse. I delight in knowing I’m writing a story that will make him laugh, and as cruel as it sounds, when I get the big-hearted brute to cry, it’s golden. Besides serving as my muse, he provides me with great stories, rich with sounds, smells, and minute details that cause the tale to breathe and sometimes even gasp. It’s one of his main traits I fell in love with. I could see his words on paper. I admit, I have to remember it’s a charming trait when he details driving instructions or when he tells stories I find excruciatingly boring like the time he changed a tractor tire. Sorry, I can’t tell you more about that story because I stopped listening.
God
When God tickles your creative bones, look out! He is my favorite inspiration because no force can stop it. Writing my first book was like that. Seriously. I have written many articles that sprouted from simple ponderings of the Lord’s mysterious ways. There’s so much I plan on asking. For instance, how does he make stuff up? Take a moment—try to think up a new color. It’s not easy, is it? I know the Bible says he spoke everything into existence. Well, what about color? Did he speak color? Did He see it first? Was there no divine brush to stroke the sky blue? Laugh if you want, but I think about this all the time.
God created everything good, so he’s a great source to turn to when you are in that writing desert. It doesn’t just apply to writing. He made us artistic creatures who express art in many different ways. Some paint pictures and others decorate their homes or create amazing gardens. My husband does his art with hammers, saws, and sanding planes. I have friends who express their creativity in crafting. Give them a popsicle stick, a scrap of paper, or a banana peel, and they’ll figure out a way to turn it into art. Personally, I believe God added an 11th commandment meant just for me: Deb, thou shalt not use a glue gun or scissors. Even so, I like to think He enjoys what I write. Like a parent bursting with pride over a three-petal flower drawn by their beaming child.
So, what triggers your creativity?
Aging, Sober & Still Smiling: Deb Palmer’s Stories, is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Deb Palmer is the co-author of “In Spite of Us- A Love Story about Second Chances.” She resides in Yakima, Washington with her husband/co-author, Sandy. Deb has published various fiction and non-fiction articles in numerous print magazines and online journals.
In Spite Of Us: A Love Story about Second Chances
"In Spite of Us," is an uplifting true story about an ordinary couple struggling to change. It's written in two…www.amazon.com