David Joiner
Other than by drinking coffee and getting a good night’s sleep (which is rare), I suppose I get inspired to write by reading books that I really enjoy and admire, which is somewhat a matter of luck since, like anyone, I don’t always enjoy or admire the books I read.
The truth is, I rely on inspiration far less than on simple routine. If one wants to write, one needs to set aside time every day to get it done. Once the writing begins, and you have a chance to re-enter the fictive world you’ve started to create, it’s natural to find inspiration in what you’ve already written and what emerges from any new effort to develop the story you’ve set out to tell. But you have to do it every day. You have to establish a routine and stick to it, even at the expense of other things you would rather be doing – which might sometimes be anything but writing.
The truth is, I rely on inspiration far less than on simple routine. If one wants to write, one needs to set aside time every day to get it done. Once the writing begins, and you have a chance to re-enter the fictive world you’ve started to create, it’s natural to find inspiration in what you’ve already written and what emerges from any new effort to develop the story you’ve set out to tell. But you have to do it every day. You have to establish a routine and stick to it, even at the expense of other things you would rather be doing – which might sometimes be anything but writing.
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