Jason R. Richter
If I could travel back in time for totally selfish reasons, I would disabuse my younger self of the notion that inspiration is required to write. Inspiration can be defined as an idea, sure.
However, when people say "inspiration to write" they are usually talking about a semi-mystical experience where the hand of the gods opens your mind to the majesty of the universe. Leathery wings sprout from your shoulder blades and rockets you at near light speed through the cosmos with your hair on fire. I have experienced that. A handful of times.
It's not what writing is about. Inspiration is to writing what luck is to high-stakes poker. (I just watched Rounders again the other night.) Writing is a job. You set time aside to string words into sentences. The more you do it, the better you become.
However, when people say "inspiration to write" they are usually talking about a semi-mystical experience where the hand of the gods opens your mind to the majesty of the universe. Leathery wings sprout from your shoulder blades and rockets you at near light speed through the cosmos with your hair on fire. I have experienced that. A handful of times.
It's not what writing is about. Inspiration is to writing what luck is to high-stakes poker. (I just watched Rounders again the other night.) Writing is a job. You set time aside to string words into sentences. The more you do it, the better you become.
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