The hunt for inspiration
“Good writing inspires me to write, good dancing inspires me to dance…”
As I search for the one thing, or person, or situation, that may trigger my creative gun to fire a flood of juices and in turn make me ecstatic in an almost lustful fashion, I go through a series of states.
I had this idea, a beautifully well-rounded female of an idea, that I played with in my head and that I made assume different shapes. I enjoyed that first state immensely but, right before I was willing to spill the notion down in virtual ink on a screen, she vanished. I only remembered the title.
Perhaps music will lure her back, I told myself. I played my favorite music and I stretched the title, I probed and dug; “what’s relevant to this title? Why don’t I feel the same tingling as I did when she was here? Why don’t those induced to appear before me now match her not in volume nor in essence?”
Where did she go? Why doesn’t she want to return?
Then I determined I will read pages of a book that may seduce her at a certain line into manifesting herself as she did once. That fat book intimidated me; Tolstoy could not have possibly known War and Peace better than I do these days – dismissed.
TV won’t do, it never did. I’m afraid she may not be immune from the gore as I have become. My skin, thick as an elephant’s, hurts all the more from bruises left by news bulletins.
“Fragile. Handle with care” – that’s what my package said. There was an arrow too: “This side up”.
I placed my fingertips on the keyboard and I promised that I will type and type and type until I reach her but some guests call in and I am interrupted even before I commence. The crowd upstairs sure can conspire miraculously should they desire to, can’t they?
I know she was a philosopher, discussing an aspect of human life based on meditative observations. I know she was deep, at least that’s how she seemed to me, and I know I created her. Yes, I created her and she was mine for a second but she eluded me during a mental orgasm.
She didn’t leave a number. I must create her again.
My quest does not stop. I think maybe if I tidy my room, better the setting, she will emerge. I install a hanging round light above my bed for when I dare to read before I fall into sleep’s embrace, all the while thinking of her, and I arrange things in the room – and rearrange them- as I reckon must find her fancy.
Tired as I am, I turn the laptop off. I cannot stand the sight of it without her spirit; it is dead to me at this point. I put on some Fairouz and turn the main light off, immersing the room in a dim red light that excites the senses, and I rest on the couch.
I envy those who are not inspired. Inspiration is torture if you cannot talk it into your level of appreciation and it’s as if it defies all order and has you abiding by its chaos. I am tempted, time and again, by this trying concept. I am tortured by it and it does not yield to my pleas, never satisfies its suppliant.
Love, inspiration – come back.
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July 29th, 2006 at 6:00 am
There is actually a branch of psychology devoted to the examination of creativity–what causes it, what inhibits it, etc. What you are looking for is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=br_ss_hs/103-7880724-6806239?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=flow&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go"><br />"flow" experience.</a><br /><br />According to the research literature, the best thing for you to do is to set aside a time each day to write for about 30 minutes. Don’t stop to assess or criticize your writing….just do it. And do it consistently. This "five finger exercise" will help adjust your brain to begin to create the text you want. The trick here is to domesticate inspiration rather than wait for it to come on it’s own whim.<br />
July 29th, 2006 at 10:08 am
<p>Hey, I didn’t know ur back… </p>
<p>Love the way you put your words down… n’ Peter, great advice!</p>