Writers are often reminded not to wait for inspiration. “Just get it down,” we hear. While that’s great advice, there’s something to be said for inspiration too.
Writing Tip for Today: How do we deal with inspiration vs. daily writing?
Write 10,000 Words
To improve your writing skills, write often and produce a lot of word count. Yes, you may end up tossing those practice words, but that’s a great way to learn. We advance often by trial and error, reader feedback and success rate for submissions.
We’re often encouraged to write crappy first drafts, get those word counts in and don’t wait for inspiration to hit. Good—I tell students to develop a writing routine, stick to it and limit the excuses. BIC (Butt in Chair) reminds us that writing it all “in your head” doesn’t really count.
Think of your writing as a journey. I’m always astonished at how I change as a writer from the idea stage to finished product. Very few writers are born with natural writing talent—most of us must write a lot before we ever see an acceptance.
What if Lightning Strikes?
As important as a writing routine is, now and then inspiration will hit. You may have heard the advice to carry a notebook or a recording device to capture your inspired ideas when you’re away from the keyboard. Jot down these ideas, slants, bits of dialogue or character mannerisms wherever you are.
If you can, when inspiration strikes, cloister yourself away and write before the feeling passes. Because it will pass. Try to outline a critical scene, the argument for a nonfiction piece or a vignette of memoir. Draw on your experiences to write believable scenes or narrative.
Later on (like the next day!) that hot idea or scene may seem like a hot mess. If you wait until you’re not so emotionally attached, it should be easier to either refine the idea or jettison purple prose. As one of my writer friends used to say, “Write in a white-hot heat—then repent at leisure.” In other words, spill your emotions when inspired, but as you revise, seek to approach that inspiration with a cold editor’s eye.
As you revise, seek to approach that inspiration with a cold editor’s eye.
Dreams, Showers and Writing Routines
Writers usually strive to write in authentic, honest ways. Show your readers inspired writing by pulling on their emotions. Your own emotions will run high if inspiration comes from a dream or while you shower.
Write with your readers’ emotions in mind, but don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Yet if it does, grab the opportunity and write over-the-top emotional connections. Use your self-editing skills to tone down melodrama, weed out purple prose and kill those darlings.
Great writing is concise but full of honest emotion. If inspiration hits, make the most of it. But remember, that brilliant idea you had at midnight might be a bit too much in the morning. Practice blending your BIC routine writing sessions with deep but authentic emotion. And when inspiration comes to visit, grab it, write it and then revise (or repent) at your leisure.
