Where does inspiration come from?

First off, regardless if you’re feeling inspired you should stick to a writing routine. It’s hard, I know. I equate writing sometimes to exercising. It’s very hard to get motivated but once you start moving your muscles (arms, legs, or in the case of writing, your brain!) the momentum carries you along and the thrill begins to build and suddenly you’re in the zone. And doesn’t it feel great afterwards?
I write every morning for at least an hour. Some days I can get a couple of pages in, while other days I spend rewriting one paragraph. Some days the words flow through my fingertips as if I were simply dictating for some clever specter. And then there are days where I strain for every word and every idea like I was learning English for the first time.
But when inspiration hits—and it’s not always at the most convenient times (often in the shower or at the start of a long road trip)—writing is all I can think about. I curse the muse for slapping me upside the head during those inopportune times. But I start the writing process in my head anyway, and work it out and memorize the dialogue until I find the opportunity to put it to paper.
Inspiration can come from many sources. For me, it strikes randomly and emerges from various sensory influences, most notably: the radio. Without fail, if a Doors song comes on I feel a surge of enthusiasm for all things creative. I don’t know why or how The Doors has this magical effect on me, but I can’t and certainly won’tcomplain. Any chance at inspiration is a welcome one!
Also, rainy weather seems to be a loyal muse. If ever I’m fortunate enough to hear Riders on the Storm during a tempest I’ll probably knock out an entire novel on the spot. What or who inspires you? Are you sticking with a writing routine? Even if it’s just a few minutes a day, the act of writing will become habitual and you’ll be strengthening that writer’s muscle.
Till next time, keep reading and writing.