You can’t wait for inspiration,
you have to go after it with a club.
Jack London
If writers, if artists, if creators of any kind only waited until they were inspired to create then they might not have produced anything. It took Michaelangelo four years to paint the Sistine Chapel. Do you think he arrived at work inspired each day for over 1400 days? He already had the plan, he just had to fulfill it.
Vincent Van Gogh understood that it was hard work, not inspiration, that made one an artist. “Through working hard, old chap, I hope to make something good one day. I haven’t got it yet, but I’m hunting it and fighting for it…” He understood that it was only by creating, by painting each day that he would hope to create something worthwhile. He wasn’t sitting around waiting for inspiration…he was going after it with his brush as the club.
If you want to create, find your inspiration outside of yourself. Fill your toolbox by sitting down every day and practicing. It’s in the practice, it’s in the hard work that you will find the inspiration. Fill your toolbox by checking out Read This If You Need Inspiration and If You Want To Be A Writer.
“…hunting it and fighting for it…” I love that. Lots of new writers seek their “voice.” I think one really has to hunt to find it and fight to keep it–by writing, writing and more writing. Great post!
That is the key. Hunting and fighting through the process of writing and writing and writing and…
Thanks for the motivation, Jennifer and a good reminder from the quote by Jack London. Have a lovely day!
Thanks for stopping by Sue. I love this quote from Jack London.
Really apt and useful.
Rachael | https://rachaelstray.com