Everyone finds inspiration, their muse(s), in different places in their life. Where do you find inspiration? What inspires you?
Also, ponder this quote when considering the source of art/inspiration:
"I know of no other advice than this: go within and scale the depths" ~Rainer Maria Rilke
Inspiration comes from your experiences in life. Rainer Maria Rilke is pretty much saying that you get inspiration from going inside yourself and looking at the things that make you, you. Most people only go so far inside, but real inspiration comes from deep inside. The real things come from the pain and sadness or the crazy moments in life, not the fake and superficial things.
ReplyDeleteChallenge Question (for everyone): What are you currently experiencing in your life that could inspire you and move you to write?
DeleteMaybe this class will and the people that make it. I remember last years class and how after we wrote our journals or finished a poem, people were brave enough to share what they had written. It ended up inspiring me to ask myself "why not?" So thank you to those class mates :)
DeleteSchool, whether this class specifically or just the day in general.
DeleteSometimes the characters of a story find themselves in a situation where they need to be at a school–such as if they are a teacher by trade or at an age in which they would be required to attend school–and in such situations, many authors choose to draw on their own experiences with and at schools, whether mimicking a favorite teacher/student or reminiscing about their own days in the classroom.
I am actually planning a story, some of which would take place in a school due to the main character's age, so I may or may not choose to base several events in the story on this class–or other classes–by simply showing an altered version of how I see my typical day.
Not only school, but what my friends are experiencing. I know that my life is pretty good, I mean, I hear about other people's complaints and think '"that's stupid", but then I hear about real problems happening to real people, and I'm just amazed that those kind of things really do happen. And that's when I write. I write about people's problematic lives and how they respond and deal with these problems presented to them-- most often against their will.
DeleteI find inspiration all around me; sometimes, I find ideas for stories in the craziest places. I like to ask myself, "what if?"
ReplyDelete"What if a priestess learned that the goddess in her head wasn't just a symbolic thing? What if the church has been using her ignorance to their advantage?"
"What if fallen angels are just a general category? What if a regular angel was dragged from heaven by a fallen angel?"
Not only do I find inspiration in many aspects of my life, I also find even small things inspiring me. Even minor things like putting two of my papercrafts next to each other has given me ideas before (that was a *very* long night). I've written down the lyrics to songs before because I thought of a sort of half-idea; listening to music sometimes makes me picture a character doing something I feel follows the music.
I love writing, I love coming up with stories, and I love just asking "what if...?" and seeing what I come up with.
Well said! I love your passion; it is inspiring in itself. And it's funny that you mentioned "what if...?"...
DeleteI like the "What ifs...?" They can keep going on and on. I have really thought that inspiration could be a simple, "What ifs...?" It honestly changed my view of ways for inspiration now.
Delete"What if" is a question that we all ask ourselves, whether it be out of guilt and regret, or out of relief. We ALL ask at least once in our lives, and that's what pushes us to strive further and think harder, to overcome issues presented to us in our darkest hours. That's what it does to us, and then we find the answer in the strangest places, when you think all hope is lost, you find out that it was probably right in from of you all along.
DeleteWell, I tend to find inspiration from school and war. I don't know why, but that's what I usually write about - tragedy or light and frilly stuff. I know right? Two VERY different topics, but thats what comes to my mind. I'm not all that great at mysteries or other stuff like that, but this is where I find inspiration - history and what happens to me. I feel that its easiest to write about that kind of stuff. Although, if i write a fantasy, it has to be REALLY elaborate, or else I wont be happy with it.
ReplyDeleteThe Quote says a lot, not only does it sound cool, but its saying that you should go and dive DEEPER into writing than ever before; explore what you can do with the words you've been given; EXHAUST the english language; then you will find what your looking for.
So, Emily, how do we do that? DEEPER is the focus of this class, but how do we execute this task that you've so eloquently set before us?
DeleteI like the word eloquently. Like Mandy said -- nice vocab Mr. T!
DeleteAnyway, reading is a good thing to do. When I can't think, I just read, then I see their ideas and see what's happened to me, and then my creativeness just starts flowing. I'm not saying nor suggesting that you TAKE people's ideas, that plagiarism and just plain rude. What I'm saying is that how they put together their work inspires my mind, CHALLENGES even, what I do and say in my writing. Whether it be poems or stories. I also find a rhyming dictionary is EXTREMLY helpful. Especially in poetry. A thesaurus is also a great asset because when you cant find another word for 'said' or 'went'... THESAURUS!!!! At least, that's what I do. And if you can't write after that, I don't know what to say. I guess it's up to Mr. T after that.
This quote is something I can really really take close to heart. One of my favorite artists had always told me how she was able to get through living in a country under communist rule by making something out of nothing. There was a time that I could barely draw a straight line and now I am able to draw pictures out of my head, create anything out of kandi. and just be able to have my imagination come through reality. Inspiration can be hard to find but I think if you're determined enough then it will all come back eventually. My music is really rough and I've been having writers block for about a year now, but I realized that forcing inspiration doesn't work either. So now I'm just trying to focus and have patience until the day that it just comes to me, so that I can hopefully start my music career soon.
ReplyDeleteWriter's block is a pain! But it is a worthy opponent to writers because it indicates progress. We wouldn't experience writer's block if we weren't trying to press forward into the recesses of our creative ability and imagination. Fight the good fight, young artist!
DeleteThe worst writer's block is when you know what's going to happen next, but you found "a good place to stop", and then you can't bring yourself to write anymore. You WANT to finish, but you CAN'T. I know that its a strange idea to wrap your head around, but it happens, and I dread it when it does. I had to experience it last year. MOST. TERRIBLE. THING. EVER. It was awful. I hope you never have to go through it.
DeleteTo go within can mean so much i think. It can be within yourself or to look deeply into someone else's character. Artists are great examples. They come up with the most intricate things, and for someone to able to that inspiration had to have come from somewhere deep within themselves. i love listening to rappers and picking out what they're trying to say. And alot of times other people's inspirations inspire me.
ReplyDelete"Other people's inspirations inspire me" is a FANTASTIC line. I agree that I am often inspired by what inspires others, but not in a copying sort of way. Many times I'm simply moved by the fact that someone is moved, inspired by the fact that they're CAPABLE of being inspired. This is what I love about being a teacher. Nothing compares to getting to watch a human being find inspiration/passion, except, maybe, for getting to be one of the select few who get to fan that spark into a glorious life-flame.
Deletethe phrase you used, "to fan that spark into a glorious life-flame" is so excellent. that's all i wanted to add. thank you:)
DeleteI myself am a drawer, and I know what you mean. Sometimes it can be hard to find inspiration, but if you just portray strong emotion or a meaning behind the meaning, you can make something great. That's what I love about being a writer and an artist at the same time, in writing you try to hide (especially in poetry) the meaning within the meaning, but you have to do that with art too I think. That's why I'm not very proud of the pictures I make that don't have that. They NEED meaning.
DeleteI've also found that it's selfish to call myself an artist, because the most beautiful artists didn't even call themselves that, so who am I to say that I am? Artist, in any realm (writing, drawing, music), is a title given to you when you are talented and others think that, not you.
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ReplyDeleteWhat happened here, and who is "All of Us"?
DeleteThe various places from which inspiration comes is superfluous. As Rilke claims, inspiration for writing is rather spontaneous. If one focuses heavily on where inspiration is contrived, inspiration will be impossible to seek. By exploring inside the boundaries of everyday occurrences, one can not achieve such enlightenment past everyday occurrences. Exploring the depths and meanings behind life beyond these boundaries will only yield a limitless supply of inspiration for writing.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you put this, and I agree. Reality, our lives, is a great place to find inspiration, but it isn't the only place. I'm sad to say that I think that students are losing their imaginative capabilities. People don't, or perhaps can't, imagine like they used to. Perhaps it's TV, computers, video games, our diets, etc. that kills imagination in us, but as a culture we're becoming more and more desensitized to the essence that drives true art. Think outside the box, as Alec is saying.
DeleteI thouroughly your vocabulary and the way you put your ideas, on one note.
DeleteAnd on another, I think I adore the open-mindedness of this reply. I think you've summed up the entire idea process that writers use, and also mentioned society's dropped item, as Mr. T said. Although, I have to wonder if it's always been left to roll along behind....
I love how you put it, that inspiration comes from everywhere and that it's superfluous. I said before that I usually only write about war and school, and although this is true, I incorporate so much into it. And the stuff that I can't, I put in there anyway! In my main story that I like to work on, the title has literally 5 different meanings and the main character herself is a writer, so I tend to make my short poems and such "hers" so that they end up in the story anyway. But like you said, you have to look past the glass wall in front of us so that we can find our inspiration, but most importantly, we have to walk past it to achieve what we're looking for.
DeleteI think that means that you need to dig deep and uncover the true meaning behind what you want to write and then use that to fuel the emotion and passion behind the piece. You have to then portray that emotion in a way that will get people to not only understand, but feel what you feel. Make them depressed and angry, or happy and care free based on just a handful of words.
ReplyDeleteChallenge Question: How do we get people to "feel what you feel" in our writing? Can you think of a writer or a piece of writing that has done that for you?
DeleteGreat point, I-don't-know-what-I-want-to-be-called.
To get people to feel what you feel, you have to use words like weapons. Pick very certain words to give off a certain feeling, and then use other words like an amp. Then turn the amp up to eleven and watch them work their magic.
DeleteThat's an amazing way to look at it, and I liked how you said " Make them depressed and angry, or happy and care free based on just a handful of words." That was an awesome line. Especially how you said in just a handful of words. Some people take too long to make you feel anything, and that's why they don't become successful in their work.
DeleteI find inspiration through many different things. One of them being my teammates. They are always pushing me to learn new skills and when they are learning new skills, it makes me want to make myself better. I also find inspiration through music. When I am writing, i listen to music to relax myself and go into a place of thought, and that is where i can really make writing happen. Also, my friends inspire me by just being such great people. They are all very strong individuals and are able to support themselves and me if I am having a bad day. They all love me and what they do to make me feel better, inspires me to be a better person.
ReplyDeleteTwo things that greatly inspire me as well: people and music. What is it about the essence of other human beings and melodies that seem to evoke emotion is such different ways compared to other muses? I'd have to say that nature would be in that running as well. It sounds like you have some great people in your life that inspire you, Nathan. Tap into that and write to that muse.
DeleteI have absolutely no muse, and absolutely all the muses in the world. My inspiration comes up randomly, with nearly anything. The way that quiet kid with no friends walks down the hallway inspires me to write about the sly motions of an assassin. The intense focus of the writer in their deepest place brings up ideas of psychological thrillers and horror. The gentle beauty of people eternally spins the wheels of creation in my mind. My inspiration is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOr, maybe, my inspiration is in all people. They tell me things I don't want to know, things about themselves that I could never fathom happening to them. I don't want to know any of this, but they tell me and I feel for them. From this feeling, I gain my inspiration. The overpowering sadness of hearing the story of a cutter opening up to me makes me want to make others feel the same way. The happiness I gain from helping these people....I want to share it. So I write. I write to make people feel what I feel, as intensely as I feel it. I want people to know that there is pain out there, and know that it doesn't always turn out okay. But, I also want them to know the desperate grasps at hope that I feel when someone opens up to me. It's not a good feeling, but it's one that I know makes me a better person. I want to share that in the only way I know how; by writing.
So maybe my inspiration is in people more so than anything else. My inspiration is everywhere and nowhere, in all people and within myself.
I believe what you said there was right on. Often times all we have to do is stop and listen just for a moment and find that that's all it takes to inspire ourselves.
DeleteIs it accurate to say that pain, in the way that you've described, is inspiring?
DeleteI really like your last line; it is worth repeating.
"My inspiration is everywhere and nowhere, in all people and within myself."
Could that possibly mean that inspiration is immortal? Unable to be killed in its entirety?
I don't know about you all, but often I catch myself thinking of something as the end or last of its kind. I listen to an AMAZING song or see a movie that changes my life and think, "That's it! That is the pinnacle of creativity. Nothing can top that. It's the best!". But I've found that I'm always wrong! Even though people have been creative for THOUSANDS of years, artists still surprise me. It always gets better, even when you think it can't, and that blows my mind. What do you think about that?
Definitely. The most intense thing a person can feel and shares with others is pain, whether physical, emotional, or psychological. I have never met anyone in my entire life that has felt a positive emotion as piercingly as a negative one. If I can inflict such an intense thing upon people, I, singlehandedly, will be able to change their lives as all pain does. People grow more from bad situations than from good ones.
DeleteI believe that inspiration is absolutely immortal, wherever there is a mind complex enough to comprehend it. Although, the inspiration of our time will not exist a thousand years from now, because muses mold and form and change gradually over time.
I think that, like I said above, creativity is evermorphing and undefinable. I've noticed that many people have an intense need to know the end of something, and have a hard time accepting that sometimes, there just isn't. It's mostly a subconcious thing, I concider, because humans are ever-curious creatures when it comes to the end of things, and will often jump to conclusions when sometimes there just isn't any.
I appreciate the insight in your post Mandy, and I certainly concur. The idea of inspiration truly is enigmatic, and the basis for inspiration can be so undoubtedly ambiguous to the point that it is inexplicable. As you implied, it is crucial for one to have an open mind.
DeleteI love it when you write stuff like this Mandy. You're an epic writer. I still think you should write/finish your story you told me about. Although I have no idea how long it'll be. Can I read what you have so far PLEEEEEAAAAAASSE!?!?!?!?!?
DeleteAbout your post, I love the line "I have absolutely no muse, and absolutely all the muses in the world." THAT is Epicsauce. and it's so true. We find inspiration in everything and yet nothing at all! We're inspired simply by others being inspired and moved. I love that about writing-- there is no end.
I find inspiration in random places, I like to think outside of the box. The most simple thing can spark a whirlwind of thoughts for me. I also get inspired by reading another author's work. If at any time I feel uninspired I like to take a break to clear my head, and possibly a nap because who doesn't like naps? When I find a great piece of writing it inspires me to be on that level.Seeing someone put all of their feelings into a piece of writing inspires me to do the same. I think Rilke makes a very valid point. To really find inspiration you have to dig deep within yourself to pull out the rawest of emotions. I think the difference between good writing and great writing is the willingness to find yourself.
ReplyDeleteI love to read too, i always have a book that i'm working on. and alot of times if i am on a good book, i cant concentrate on much else because all i can think about is the story. right now i am reading all of the jodi picoult books, and she's an author that really lets u connect with her characters so much that u feel as if u really know this person in real life. if i was to become an author and write a book someday (on my bucket list:) then that is the type of author i would strive to be. authors have so much influence on us i think.
DeleteI love Jodi Picoult. The things she writes you can really connect to and I like that. Writing a book is something I think I want to put on my bucket list too!
DeleteAll of my muses come from sitting back and wathcing other people. I really dont talk to others bcause I mostly don't have anthing to say plus, im anti-social so i dont get alot of inspiration from things others say to me, but in the end my main inspiration is my past or my 'story'. All of us have stories it just depends on us how we let it define us or in my case my wrighting. Alot of negitive things have happened in my life but in my wrightings i make most of it positive its how i escape from everything negitive the people around me say or do. It gives me a break from reality. Im one of those people that can go three weeks with out talking because im thinking alot about things that go on around me and inspire me.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that this is a really good quote I like it because if you don't know what to wright about you should wright something that comes from the heart and chances are that will be one of the best things you will wright.
Inspiration comes to me definitely through music. I listen to many genres of music so I can find inspiration just about anywhere. The only downside to this is that whenever I'm listening to music and writing, the tone or mood of my piece of writing is definitely influenced by the genre of music.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that influences me is my setting I'm in while writing. I really find inspiration in the outdoors. I also find it when I'm writing in a darker room. My creativity tends to show while I write in a darker room. Maybe it's because things aren't always what they seem while in the dark, figurateivly and literately. But music and setting are two things that most definitely give me inspiration.
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ReplyDeleteMy inspiration comes from listening to my favorite music, and it also comes from my imagination warping reality just a slight bit. In my mind, I will take a situation and alter it to my liking. After I do that, I will put it in my stories. Another place I get inspiration I get inspiration from is just life itself. The littlest things can spark a big idea with my imagination.
ReplyDeleteThe meaning of going within to scratch the surface is to go deep inside your soul, where all the emotions are raw. There, you can find some of the best inspiration there is. When a person writes from within them, there is more feeling in their piece. It could be more dramatic, and heartfelt. Or it could scary and frightening. It depends on the type of soul a person has.
I definitely agree about finding where the emotions are raw. you get so much more power if you use the emotions that are strongest to you. it enables you to make people realize what you are feeling or even feel what you felt during the time it was written.
DeleteInspiration is a gift greater than just regular writing, and those who can take advantage of this gift will be enriched with pure writing power. I run a busy life and do not have much opportunity with the inspiration that can/will hit me. I believe that one can find inspiration in any aspect of the world. As for what inspires me, I'm not quite sure. It just happens when it pleases, but i do take a lot of insight from just listening to conversations and such. Lastly, I believe the quote is 100% accurate.
ReplyDeleteI think Inspiration can come from anywhere you want it to. For me, this happens to include where and when I was born, where I am now, and where I'm headed in the future. I grew up in a series of small towns that almost nobody has heard of. That most definitely gives me inspiration, also more or less making me feel like a nomad.
ReplyDeleteInspiration also comes to me through music. I want to be a professional musician when I get older, and I am always thinking of things to write about or songs to make up. To me, music is as essential as air. Music is a universal language, and I want to share it with everyone I meet.
Inspiration comes from anywhere. And for me, it comes from too many places to actually list all of them here.
i like the fact that it sounds like you can take inspiration from any part of your life, like if you just sit there and think for a few minutes about an event that went on that day you wold have a full story line with a lot of crazy, funny, and entertaining things.
DeleteI think that inspiration comes from what happens to you and what you've been through. Your experiences aren't the same as someone else's which is what makes your writing unique. What Rainer Maria is trying to say is that you should go within yourself and use your experiences to write. There saying to use your personal experience and test the depths of your imagination.
ReplyDeletei totally agree with that. maybe people have been in similar situations, but never the exact same, and thats one thing that makes everyones writing unique.
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