When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
One of my goals this year is to put myself out there more. I tend to hide behind the screen, lurking on social media because of feelings of inadequacy. I never got support with my creative endeavors, and that guilt of “wasting time” has stuck with me for decades. But I keep trying, as if I was rubbing two sticks together to light a fire. I can always get some embers but I haven’t figured out how to turn it into true fire.
So, to this months question, what are the embers of inspiration that fuel all my creativity. . .well I’m struggling to find them and keep them lit. Most of my stories start because of a dream, or a thought, or a short elevator pitch that gets stuck in my head. An idea that just won’t go away, even though I don’t have the space or time to write it. So, inside the crockpot it goes to wait for a better time to be pulled out, dusted off, and worked on.
Eventually I come back to them when I get a flash of inspiration. A character that won’t shut up. A scene that keeps relaying in my head. A friend who lovingly bullies me into writing because I made the mistake of telling them about my story and now they need it. (Thanks y’all.)
But truly what keeps me going is that there’s a pull within me. A feeling that there are stories that I need to tell, and they won’t let me go until they are written. While I wouldn’t call that inspiration, it does keep me coming back to the blank page, day after day, and trying again.
I’m still searching for that thing that fully pulls me past the insecurity. Or at least lets me set it aside long enough to finish a draft. I still fail more than not, but I’m working on being kinder to myself when thinking of my writing ability, or lack thereof.
I guess that’s why I decided to finally write a post for this blog hop. We’re all a little insecure anyway, so cheers to being in like company.
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group is a home for writers in all stages; from unpublished to bestsellers. Our goal is to offer assistance and guidance. We want to help writers overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.
The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!
The negative thoughts are a bitch and can really hinder productivity. It’s something I suffer from as well and it can really freeze you with indecision worrying about how things will go, if it’s worth it, etc. But having people in your corner helps, to pull you out of the negativity funk and make progress.
Also welcome to IWSG!!!
Hi Ann,
I, too, posted my first post at the IWSG blog hop. And, trust me, the lack of confidence has been so intense, I was nervous even as I typed the post! At the beginning of this year, I, too, decided I would work on my fiction writing. Secretly I hoped I was okay at it, but to share it with the world was scary. The April A to Z helped me get over that fear, but the self-doubt will stay as long as I do.
IWSG is, indeed, one of the best places to be. I am glad to have met you and from what I read in your post, we have quite a few things in common, the insecurity, for example.
Wishing you the best in your writing endeavours, Ann!
Good luck in your writing journey. Other people aren’t always as confident as they seem so you’re definitely not alone.
Negative thoughts ? Inadequacy ?
Still can’t forget feedback from a relative, worked in publishing. ‘ You’re not a writer’
Various skirmishes with the Five looked promising, even a day in London with one of them,*
Hide, totally, from social media , aided and abetted by living in a dead zone.
No signal, for several miles/km, unless on summits,, along the bridleway that leads to Scotland. . *Probably my least favourite city, but I can remember feeling so hopeful
The insecurity never goes away but it does become less of a force.
Welcome to the IWSG!
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