Inspiration From Fire Breathing Writing Dragons
It’s the last day of March, bringing to a close our exploration of writing inspiration. Thanks to everyone who’s contributed to the discussion, helping me and others to get a better idea of what inspiration means.
What inspires us, and what extinguishes our writing flame.
I’ve pulled together some of the most intriguing and thoughtful comments on the inspiration theme – I’m sorry there’s not room to highlight them all, but please rest assured each and every comment helps to inspire and motivate me to keep writing here.
Special thanks go to those bloggers who picked up the ball and explored the theme of inspiration on their own blogs and in relation to their own writing purpose. I’ve highlighted three: on inspiration and aloha, on the brain and inspiration, and inspired business writing.
Of course there’s another bundle of posts still to be featured that were written in response to the 4 * 4 sources of writing inspiration group writing project – they’ll follow on in a few days so I can do justice to the entries.
Comments on What’s The Opposite of Inspire?
I think of inspire as a person, situation, or object that affects a person’s thoughts by increasing creative thoughts and energy. So the opposite would be to reduce creative thought – either to reduce thinking or distract thought.
Distract. A simple distraction, put to sleep, fear, etc. – the opposite of inspire.
A word, environment or attitude can hinder creative thought by discouraging it to flourish. I am learning to give voice to the “uninspired” so that I can push it out of the way and get on with it
When I’m inspired I’m motivated, so the opposite would be… demotivated….So for the ‘d’ words, I’d go with dispirit … dampen … discourage … dishearten … deter … derail … = creativity killer.
How depressing.
So let’s end with all things inspired … illumination … revelation … discovery … exploration … imagination … visualization …
On Inspiration As The Theme for March
Though a visual artist first, I have a love of writing. Blogging has been a great breakthrough for me in that I can combine both. Repeat daily!
(I just had to include Kris’s comment to encourage you to go and visit her electrifying blog!)
Comments on How To Become A Writing Dragon
To know what a dragon really looks like, all I need do is look up into the reflective vistas my words create.
Amy Palko
Telling a deep personal truth in an authentic, captivating way (Dragon way) may be different for women (especially those raised to be nice and good and to support others… opening one’s mouth to let the flame out.
Kare Anderson
Inspired Reactions On Other Blogs
As I said, I love it when you pick up ideas here and explore and develop them on your own blogs. Here are three reactions to the theme of inspiration:
Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create. Albert Einstein.
Don’t use the excuse that the time or place just isn’t right. You can use your imagination effectively no matter where you are, however bad things seem.
As Joanna Young, pointed out, in a recent article, WH Murray wrote his most inspirational work whilst he was in a Prisoner of War Camp. I can’t imagine that he was living in ideal conditions and it wasn’t the prisoner of war camp he was writing about, it was the mountains in Scotland. He didn’t need to be there to capture the most vivid and haunting descriptions in his writing. He simply used his imagination. And you can too.
Inspiration is in spirit: thus inspiration is aloha by Rosa Say at Managing With Aloha Coaching
“Inspiration” is when we can say we are ‘in-spirit’ and have the respect for each other which helps us be better. Thus to me, Inspiration is Aloha.
The Brain On Inspiration by Robyn McMaster at Brain Based Biz
I think was my favourite response. Robyn McMaster writing on the wild side with a picture, a poem and a quote that adds rocket fuel to my concept of inspiration – and fuels my inspiration to write.
Ideas must work through the brains and arms of men [and women], or they are no better than dreams. Ralph Waldo Emerson
What was your biggest take away on the theme of inspiration this month? Has the conversation changed the way you think about what inspires you to write?
As I put dragon wings to my piece, Joanna, I also thought of an earlier post you had on saying much with few words. I thought perhaps an appropriate quote would do it, but I found one more when I dug that so belonged there, that I admit going overboard. At times rules are meant to break and that’s where the dragon comes in. It’s wild having dragon freedom.
I appreciate the lovely bouquet of kind words you brought me this morning. Makes the start of a sunny day.
Ah likewise Robyn, thank you for this wonderful feedback.
You’re quite right, rules are there to be broken and I love this line you’ve gifted me
“It’s wild having dragon freedom”
I’d make that a wish for everyone who visits here
Joanna
Hi Joanna – that month went quick. I’ve barely sneezed since you were asking opinions on the topic of the month. And you’ve had some great articles on here since then too.
Thank you for linking to my post.
Oh! Thank you so much for sharing Kris’s blog. What vibrant colours for my groggy morning! I’m really loving her ‘Heart full of colour to warm your blues’painting.
Cath, I know. I don’t know how Feb (a short month) went slow, when March with its 31 days whizzed past in such a flash… I fear April will be the same
Cat, oh I am glad you liked it. You know I’m not really a visual person but this is one picture based blog I’m so glad to have discovered. The colours and textures are incredible and I love the way she does the close-ups of detail too.
Joanna
Just going to add my voice to the chorus, Joanna. It was a great month for Confident Writing. Lots of wonderfully inspirational posts, a vibrant group project and lively community discussions. So looking forward to the ‘Power’ theme
Thank you Amy. The last three months – leaps and bounds, inspiration and power – are all coming together beautifully!
Your support, participation and contribution are all much appreciated.
Joanna