Inspiration stood me up (again)
Inspiration is a lot like motivation: they’re both elusive forces that we can’t really put words to, but it feels like our minds are in love with them as concepts because they keep the responsibility off of us to Do The Thing.
Lots of writers *seem* to have a beautiful relationship with inspiration wherein she consistently shows up to deliver perfectly packaged sentences and entire essays, promises to come back, then flies away into the night like the Sanderson Sisters (spooky szn is forever).
I’m not saying that these people are lying because I truly have no idea and it’s not really any of my business to interrogate other writers about their processes, but also? It very much feels like my business (literally) to tell you that waiting on inspiration to begin writing is the quickest way to never write anything.
By waiting on inspiration to strike (is she lightning? I have questions), we are consciously deciding that nahhhh, we’d rather not make our cool art, write our own silly sentences, or step into our own lives. We’re saying that we are not responsible--inspiration is--and if she doesn’t show up, we can’t be blamed for not creating and being ourselves.
Friendo, I need you to hear me on this one:
Showing up to write is the only way to get things written.
Showing up means that you use the five minutes between when the washer goes off and the dryer finishes spinning to type a few words or sentences in your Notes app.
Showing up means that you record a voice memo to yourself when you remember the nickname your grandmother gave you while you’re waiting in line at the pharmacy (literally me today).
Showing up means that you put a book in every room of your house and your car so that you can have a steady stream of fun new thoughts and words while you’re in between tasks.
Showing up means that you take what you have, put it in your lap, take your pen in your own hands and say, “This is all I need.”
And then you do it.
Showing up is the only way.
Casual Magic Writing
© 2021 Kells Yells LLC
