THE CRAFT, PART 1 – INSPIRATION

You can say you write because it is a compulsion, because you believe in your innate talent and ability, or that you are moved by the idea of artistic creation. The reasons you write pale when considering the most important aspect which is the craft of writing itself.

There have been very few prodigies in literary history. While few have been as diligent as Flaubert has in terms of le mot juste, most writers have paid scrupulous detail to the semantics and logistics of the written word, regardless of genre or style. Hemingway differs considerably from James Joyce, and yet both were craftsman within their writing environment.

I would like to take the opportunity to discuss my views of craft in a series of posts and certainly welcome discussion and feedback. The first concept is Inspiration, as in where those ideas come from.

Writers need to be attuned to any and all incoming stimuli, as there is a vast resource just in that alone. News articles, historical anecdotes, unusual factoids can all jump-start a story. I read once where dieffenbachia, also known as dumb cane, can cause swelling of the throat if consumed. Certainly an intriguing notion to anyone who writes murder mysteries. Current events can easily be used for a heart-racing thriller. In my own case, stories of the history of a small town in Kansas led to the creation of a four-book historical crime fiction series starting with Ark City Confidential.

At times, through casual conversation, a unique perspective will create a “What if?” moment. It is up to the writer at that moment to extrapolate a story. It can all be as simple as having a desire to create a tale centered on something unique and personal to the writer. Maybe it is a wish to include a 1970 Corvette Stingray or have a scene take place in a Bob’s Big Boy in the 50’s.

While I do not fully accept the notion of “writer’s block”, I am pretty certain such occurrences take place while working on a piece as opposed to finding ideas to write about. Most writers I am acquainted with are typically filled with more ideas than they have time to write.

It is very difficult for most readers to grasp the notion of where writers find inspiration due to being enraptured by the book they are reading. It is due to the writer’s attention to craft that allows the fantastical to come to life.

NEXT: THE CRAFT, PART 2 – PLOTTER OR PANTSER. OR…