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Great Writing creative writing community is designed to prompt ideas and provide inspiration and motivation within aspiring and amateur authors. Whatever your topic; from love poetry to Doctor Who or Harry Potter fan fiction, Great Writing's online writing group is where you can make new friends and improve your creative writing.
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Inspiration
By LynB
21 March 2007
I wrote this as my Lazy Writers contribution, but wasn't sure which category it should go in.  If this is the wrong one, please tell me, and I'll move it!

INSPIRATION
 
 
I noticed that one of the subjects for Lazy Writers this month is Inspiration, and thought how appropriate it was for me.
 
I have been writing stories since I was about 12, and although the subject matter has changed considerably over the intervening years, my love of writing has never dulled.  Right from a child, I have found that when life becomes a little too much, writing is a very cathartic experience, and helps get my feelings out.  When I think back to some of my earlier efforts, I cringe, but I realise now that to be a writer, a really good writer who can capture people’s imaginations, you need to have had a certain amount of life experience.
 
During my life, I have found that many things inspire me to write.  I have always loved music, and found that a particular song will give me an idea for a story.  Certain songs touch me deeply, and leave a lasting effect on me, and during my darker moments, music has always been my friend, and a great source of inspiration.  One particular story I wrote, not posted up here, was inspired by one song – ‘Music speaks louder than words’.  Another was inspired by a song that my dear late dad used to love - ‘My heart and I’.  It was only a few chapters long – a short, simple uncomplicated love story, but I was proud of it, as it was one of the first pieces of any length I had attempted.
 
It’s not always music that inspires me.  One comment made by my 14-year-old son inspired me to write a poem about his absent father.  Many people said they were affected by it, as it was written from his point of view.  I tried to get across the hurt and pain he was, and still is, feeling.  On this occasion, the spoken word, rather than music, was my inspiration.  It’s often the simplest, most heartfelt comments that inspire my writing.  I feel that poetry is not my strong suit – I’m not in Oli or patterjack’s class and I never will be – but this time it just came easily, as it was something I felt strongly about.
 
My last story, ‘Let no man put asunder’, was inspired by some of my own life experiences.  I have suffered on and off for years with depression, nerves, anxiety, panic attacks – you name it.  I found that writing about it as though someone else was experiencing it was extremely beneficial for me, as it got all my feelings out and down on paper.  As those of you who have read this story will know, my love of music comes through as well, as one of the main characters is a promising young opera singer, who suffers a mental breakdown.  It’s one of the most complicated plots I have ever attempted, and I was extremely proud of it.  A lot of blood, sweat and many tears went into it.  I found it very emotionally draining to write, but also very satisfying.
 
Last, but by no means least, another source of inspiration is the comments I receive from the people who read what I write.  I don’t have very much self-esteem, so to read that someone has enjoyed my work means more to me than they could possibly imagine.  Someone once said that I lacked self-belief, but not any more.  Since I joined this site, my confidence has improved by leaps and bounds, and it’s all thanks to the many friends I have on here.  You have inspired me so much, and made me more determined than ever to try and fulfil my dream of seeing my work in print.
 
In particular, I would like to thank Jean, Phil, Clare, Glynis, and Amy567 – who was the first person to review my work when I joined the site.  I would also like to thank Gerard, for being so supportive and encouraging.   You are all fantastic writers, and your words mean so much to me.  Thank you for the inspiration.
 
So, to sum up, it’s quite simple really.  Music and the spoken word inspire the written word – that, and the kind encouragement of friends.
 
 

Reviews

Written by Witzl (1585 comments posted) 20th March 2007
This is interesting, Lyn. You are not alone in suffering from low self esteem: I'd like to start a club, I'm just worried that no one would want to be a member if I were organizing it. And once they'd all joined, they'd probably chuck me out. See what I mean?  
 
I can still remember a high school assignment we were given: a composition to address the question 'Why do people write?' As a 15-year-old, I had no idea, but now I could turn in hundreds of pages. 
 
In my own case, I'm not eloquent in speech. My husband and eldest daughter can run circles around me -- well, a lot of people can. Often they use arguments that strike me as pure BS, but I cannot marshal my thoughts and respond in a coherent, persuasive way. But I can do this in writing.  
 
And the awful truth for me is that I'm partly motivated by the thought that I might be able to turn my writing into cash. That enters into it, though it is certainly not the main reason I'm inspired to write.

Written by Phil (6635 comments posted) 20th March 2007
Interesting to read another's motivations. I'll bet there are hundreds of different reasons why we write. I'm sure a good proportion of us would like to be published, but I'd like to bet there's more to it than that. 
 
Your point about encouragement from friends was a good one. I always look out for certain reviewers when I've posted a piece. I'm interested in everyone's opinions, but some mean more than others. 
 
Sincerely glad my reviews have been useful. 
 
Phil. 

Written by Fledermaus (3238 comments posted) 21st March 2007
Isn't lazy writers great? It forces you to write something and it's nearly always interesting to read. Indeed enjoyable and interesting to read where people's inspiration comes from. 
It's funny. I hardly think of music to inspire me, but when I look at my favorite works on this site, they do seem to be inspired by songs.

Written by Bottleblondesurfer (3294 comments posted) 21st March 2007
You raise a very interesting and convoluted subject; inspiration to write. I'm not sure it is the right word. I feel an urge to write, like an itch I need to scratch I'm not sure I feel inspired to write and I certainly don't feel inspired while writing and to pick up on what Witzl said I add a quote from Dr Johnson:- 
"No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money." 
Maybe that is something to aspire to??  
I am surprised to hear you mention low self esteem or belief. From what I have read of yours I have considered you one of the more likely contributers here to actually fulfill Dr Johsnson axiom and get paid for writing. 
It's a funny old game 
J
HI Lyn
Written by jean.day (2257 comments posted) 21st March 2007
It was fun to hear a bit more about you through this. I expect the reason your stories are so realistic in the emotional bits, is because you have lived through them. And if you are the one who cries at the drop of the hat, I can take that better than from Jon. But are you musical yourself? Do you sing or play an instrument?  
 
I was surprised to read Mary's comment about not being able to speak effectively, and thinking herself to have low self esteem. I think my worst time in regard to self esteem was when I was an early teenager, and I suppose it was my success with music that gave it to me to some extent. But certainly writing has helped me enormously too, and it continually surprises me to think that people enjoy what I write.  
 
And I do enjoy what you write too, and am now about to read your next chapter.

Written by LynB (434 comments posted) 21st March 2007
Thank you all, for your lovely comments. 
 
Mary - I'm surprised that you suffer from low self esteem, as your work is among the best on the site. You have a lot to be proud of. 
 
Phil - yes, your opinions have been very much valued, and always will be. I always enjoy reading your work, too. 
 
Fledermaus - I'm glad you enjoyed this. It's funny, isn't it, where different people's inspiration comes from? 
 
Jane - I love your work, and your flair for comedy is fantastic, so it means a lot to know that you rate my work so highly - thank you. 
 
Jean - Yes, I am a very emotional person - it's the nature of the beast! I'm musical, too - I don't sing (except in the shower!), but I play piano, organ and accordion. I've been plagued with bad nerves since I was in my mid 20s, but some times are worse than others. I didn't know you were musical? Do you play any instruments, or do you sing? I don't know why you are surprised that people enjoy what you write - it's brilliant! :)

Written by Glynis (103 comments posted) 1st April 2007
Lyn, I found your Lazy Writers piece 'Inspiration' very moving. I have always been A Person with Very Low Esteem. As a child I was always quiet and shy, even as a teenager, and when I started my first job! It has taken years of trying very hard to overcome these nerves, and I think, after all this time, that Yes, I might have suceeded at last! :) I have yet to contribute to the writing on this site, which is one task that I feel uncertain of :sigh As yet, I just need some inspiration :roll Music and certain songs certainly are a good source. Sometimes I find that I get ideas at night, whilst tossing and turning before I go to sleep, or even whilst I am working. Which can be very annoying, as I don't carry a note book and pen around with me, and you can bet that when I do get the time to make some notes, then the idea has usually gone :upset or doesn't appear to be such a good one after all :upset  
 
I just hope that if and when I start contributing to this site, then some one will review any work I put up :)

Written by LynB (434 comments posted) 1st April 2007
Thank you, Glynis! 
 
Post away! I'll certainly read it, and I'm sure others will, too! :)

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