Meanwhile, let's turn to this week's reader's question:
What inspires you most when you are writing?
Sometimes, my inspiration comes from simple sensory experiences, like a scent, a sound, a texture. For instance, a summer raindrop soothing my cheek inspired the scene in Delivery in which Jake and Ida let a summer downpour wash away their troubles, at least for that moment.
I also draw inspiration from the creative works of others. Music is a prime example, particularly passion-filled ballads. Much like Wynona Judd sings in "Flies on the Butter," my character Livi in effect can never go home again. Sure, she can return to her childhood residence, but she can never return to the time in her life when her brother Buddy was alive and well. And much like Mark Schultz sings in "Cloud of Witnesses," Livi's witnesses--particularly the Wilson Florist gang--come running in her darker hours to circle around her and offer much needed love and support.
Emotion-charged memories are strong sources of inspiration for me as well. Holding my grandma's hand while the Lord took her home fortified my faith in God and my belief that Heaven is real. That profound experience inspired the nursing home scene in which Livi faces her doubts for a final time. Recollections of my own grief and joy gave birth to Livi's grief and joy.
But of all that kindles my writing, what inspires me most?
Prayer. Connecting with God before my fingers even hit the keyboard helps me focus on writing for His glory. If I didn't write with that purpose as my main objective, I wouldn't want to write at all.
Now its YOUR turn. What inspires you to do what you do, to follow your dreams, to answer your calling? I can't wait to read your answer in the comment section below.
I love this! I'm going to miss your weekend peek ins! I think that almost anything can be inspiring. Music, photographs from people I admire, nature. I find that colors inspire me a lot. I also like to just write down words that pop into my head and sometimes I can come up with a story or photograph that I pulled from that. I also think that people who are successful in whatever I'm interested in are inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by people who have conquered trials, illnesses and tragedies and surfaced victoriously! Like the young lady that inspired the movie Sould Surfer for instance. I have aunts, cousins, and friends who are cancer survivors and are now my heroes. My mom is the leader of the pact with cancer, brain tumor, losing two infants at birth, my brother's death five years ago and out living 3 husbands, she is truly my inspiration! I think to know that you are an inspiration to someone would be the greatest gift!
ReplyDeleteNature inspires me. My Grands inspire me. My family and furbabies... the list goes on.
ReplyDeleteI have had so much fun with you all.
Thank you for sharing your lives.
Bless you and yours.
Heather, I'll still be posting weekly blog entries, so please keep stopping by! Photographs and nature inspire me, too, especially when I'm TAKING photographs of nature. That really gets my creative juices flowing. I LOVE your idea of jotting down one word and coming up with a story from it. Excellent idea to spark creativity! I'm going to have to adopt that one.
ReplyDeletePam, I simply must get Soul Surfer on my to-be-seen movie list. I've heard wonderful things about it. My goodness, your mom has certainly triumphed over incredible hardships and heartbreak. What a blessing it must be for you to witness her strength and draw encouragement from it. Just reading about her inspires me. She must be one amazing lady.
Wendy, grandbabies and furbabies do provide inspiration all their own, don't they? And they make life so much sweeter. I have enjoyed your daily Weekend Peek In questions and getting to know you. Thank you for blessing me with new friendship.
I appreciate your visits, ladies, and please stay tuned. Even though the Kindle giveaway ends today, my blog posts will continue on. It's so much fun to have your company here. Bless you all!
Books. I've loved books as long as I've been able to read. I remember loving Dick & Jane. They can take you places you never thought of going. I'm reading Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. I keep a notepad beside me when I'm reading to jot down the ideas that come to me during my study time.
ReplyDeleteNature cannot help but be inspiring. To surround yourself with the work of a master artist - work that lives and breathes, sings and flies, breezes by you, possesses the power to pull trees from the ground, waves crashing to shore, thunder rumbling you to the core - guaranteed to move your spirit.