And thinking about it in this way shapes your outlook, in order to help you find more inspiration. Or at least, put yourself in a position where inspiration can find you; put yourself in inspiration’s way, in other words. This might be by reading widely; listening to podcasts; watching films. Genius is just waiting to drop on you from many sources.

Writing works differently for different people. I think the words “discipline, hard work, showing up, job” are over-rated where creativity is concerned. Let us not look at this in absolute terms. Writing is not a job in the sense we understand the conventional nature of work; that ignores the role of the subconscious mind. You can’t force writing to happen or any work of art. Then again, there are exceptions to that rule too. See what I mean. Here we find the principle of relativity at play rather than trying to put the idea into a straight-jacket.

It depends. It varies. It’s different. This is a better way to look at it rather than all the regimented stuff we put ourselves through. You don’t have to sit at a desk every single day and you don’t have to have a morning ritual or daily routine. Again, yes, this works for some writers, but not necessarily for all writers. This truth is a bitter pill to swallow, however, for some people who have a fixation for time-tables and schedules. Art is different, folks.

William Wordsworth would probably never have written the poem “Daffodils” had he been sitting at his desk and plugging away in long-hand (no computers or laptops at that time). Wordsworth just wanted to clear his mind and therefore decided to go for a casual stroll and divine inspiration struck him. The natural world has inspired many creative people.

Not so, at least not for me and a whole bunch of other writers I know.

Many days, yes. On a mostly predictable schedule, yes. And write even on those days when “Idonwanna!” yes.

But not every day. I need some serious no writing time… usually a day or even two a week. Seems to help prime my pump.

Basically: Sit down to do your work and create a pleasing arena which the Muse will wish to enter.

“Writer’s block is a condition that affects amateurs and people who aren’t serious about writing. So is the opposite, namely inspiration, which amateurs are also very fond of. Putting it another way: a professional writer is someone who writes just as well when they’re not inspired as when they are.”

I can’t wait for inspiration to strike. I must show up for work every day. One thing that really stood out to me that I’d never really thought of though is the importance of showing up at the same time every day. I’ve always just written whenever. I’m now beginning to see the wisdom of keeping a schedule.

However, there is only so far our creative minds can take us. At some point we have to actually sit down and WRITE. And that takes dedication, hard work, and discipline, just like a “real” job.

Inspiration is divine and not under the control of any convention like a job.

Yes, sitting down every day to write can work for some people, but not for others.

Your one-size-fits-all way of thinking needs to be re-examined in light of reality. However, I do appreciate your point of view and think highly of you as a writer. Your posts are excellent.

That’s why I always try to make it a point to ready your articles/pieces.

By the way: let me issue a clarification. William Wordsworth wrote his famous poem about “Daffodils” while going for a stroll in the Lake District of England years and years ago.
As for writing, you can write anytime or not at all…it does not always have to be so disciplined or regimented. History is witness to thousands of people who wrote whenever inspiration struck them. Such writers have become famous and some have not at all.
The point is, you don’t have to write every single day at a particular hour. Creativity is about play, not about compulsions or habits. The muse can strike you at any time. Cheerio.

Stephen King talks about this too in ‘On Writing’, about how we can’t wait for our Muse to show up on demand and do our bidding. Why should they work hard, if we aren’t prepared to do the actual hard work?

Great post James, thanks again.

Katie Lance
Marketing Manager, Inman News