Saturday, February 4, 2012

Inspiration: Yay or Nay?

I'm currently taking a creative writing class and on the first day, my instructor and a few other students said they believe inspiration gets writers nowhere and means very little, but that discipline is everything and that's what helps writers get published and whatnot. I sat there, shaking my head, and mentally argued with this belief.

Now, I'm not saying they're wrong just because I don't agree with them, but I do find it odd they don't believe in inspiration. I mean, where do they get their ideas from? Even if an idea pops into their head, the subsequent writing they accomplish from that idea will ultimately be inspired by that very idea, right? To me, inspiration is everything and I look for it everywhere. If I'm not inspired, then I'm not motivated or passionate about a piece of work. If I'm not inspired, I have nothing to work with. Whether you write a story based on a line of dialogue you overheard or an image that forms in your head, you're inspired by something and that something will indeed take you far. I do agree that discipline is important, but I don't think it's any more important than inspiration. They really do go hand-in-hand as equals.

What say you, my fellow readers and writers? Do you think inspiration means very little in the writing process?
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16 comments:

  1. SM JohnstonFebruary 4, 2012 at 12:47 AM

    I totally agree with you that inspiration is a necessity. Sometimes the project starts with inspiration and you power through the first ten chapters, then the need for discipline kicks in. But with out that initial inspiration, that spark, the magic won't happen.

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  2. The Blogger GirlzFebruary 4, 2012 at 2:53 AM

    Nay, what use is inspiration without the discipline to follow it through to the end? In a single day I can be inspired by a dozen plus things, but if I don't force myself to push all that inspiration away and focus on one project I never get anywhere. -Aaron

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  3. Ramisa R.February 4, 2012 at 4:16 AM

    Ah, I feel terrible for disagreeing, but...
    I believe inspiration is something which comes naturally to dreamers. Discipline is far more important; it separates a writer from a dreamer.

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  4. ShaunaKelleyWritesFebruary 4, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    I am sort of with Ramisa. Inspiration is the starting point-- the first step that starts a 1,000 mile journey. BUt you need discipline behind it to keep going.

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  5. Tara MartinFebruary 4, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    I see their point, but honestly, without inspiration, I wouldn't have the desire to keep my butt in the chair and keep writing.

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  6. KirthiFebruary 4, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    Haha, what type of writing class is that? Inspiration is the start, and motivation is the finish. IT's like those authors only write to make money or get published, which totally isn't how it's supposed be.

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  7. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration. ~ Thomas Edison

    Have to agree with the others here. We can be inspired all day long, but it gets us nowhere without discipline.

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  8. Kate LarkindaleFebruary 4, 2012 at 5:03 PM

    Inspiration is the beginning. It's the spark that sets the fire. It takes discipline and drive and passion and motivation to keep that fire alive. So they're both important.

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  9. JaylynFebruary 4, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    In my case, I would never have the discipline in the first place without the inspiration to motivate it. It's very important. What good with discipline be without it? I would have nothing to write about!

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  10. Sari WebbFebruary 4, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    I think writers without inspiration is a bit of an oxymoron. Writing is a creative pursuit, and I think everything creative requires some sort of inspiration. Otherwise, how do we create? Discipline is equally important though.

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  11. SarehFebruary 4, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    I would have to say that without inspiration, I would not have the motivation to sit down and write. While disciple is important, I think it is equally important to have at least an inkling of what you may write.

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  12. UnknownFebruary 5, 2012 at 11:49 AM

    I feel that inspiration is *everything*. Without being inspired you very well can't be motivated to write! In my opinion, at least. Yes, it takes discipline and will-power to sit there and get the words on paper, but inspiration and imagination is what separates those who weave amazing worlds with those who write text books.

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  13. R.A.DesiletsFebruary 6, 2012 at 2:27 AM

    I agree with you. Inspiration has to happen for me to want to write, but I had to learn discipline. Honestly, it took me years to finally discipline myself enough to write a story that I had bumping around in my head. It was stuck on there for five years before I finally wrote more than 500 words.

    But, because I was inspired, I was able to write it in a week (editing still ongoing). I think discipline will get you to sit down, but inspiration will make it pour out.

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  14. The Busy AuthorFebruary 6, 2012 at 3:02 AM

    I think the more you write the better your ideas become, as well as your writing of course. Big picture inspiration ideas are a dime a dozen. It the little inspired things in books that are hard to find and only come from sweating through it.

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  15. HeatherFebruary 7, 2012 at 6:14 PM

    I totally agree with you. I have to have both inspiration and discipline. I push through and write but I also seek out inspiration when I need it. It's vital to putting heart in the story.

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  16. Wendy HigginsFebruary 8, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    They are mistaken. ALL writing NEEDS inspiration - it's the heart of it. Even cookbooks need inspiration!!!

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