It’s Tuesday, and around here that means it’s time to cozy up for another great chat with your friends and neighbors at SmallTalk. This week we want to hear your answer to our one big question:
What inspires you?
Or maybe you’d rather approach it this way…
Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration for you might be the thing that gets your creative energy flowing. It might be the motivation to finally start a new project or collaboration. Perhaps it’s even that final push to start writing a book. Whatever the result, we want to know what inspires you and where you find it. For this SmallTalk we absolutely want to see links to inspiring people, places, topics, or ideas, and we also want you to share your inspiring creations with us!
Tell us about your creative practice and how or why it works for you!
When things go wrong how do you reignite your creativity?
What keeps you going despite discouragement?
What encouragement would you give to someone who could benefit from getting in touch with their creative self?
Looking for inspiration?
We bet you’ll find it in this thread!
Give us your most inspiring comments through Friday, August 30.
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Make new friends. This is a place where beautiful collaborations are born. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, celebrate each others’ wins, and reach out to people you’d like to collaborate with. We’re all supporting each other here.
Aug 31Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
I write about my small garden. I keep a daily garden journal and take the inspirational bits out for my posts. I want to share tips with other gardeners who want to create a beautiful space outside their door. If I need to clear my head, I'll make a cup of tea and walk around the garden, noticing and listening. I learnt from other gardeners too, making notes from books and cutting out magazine articles.
Aug 31Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Being outside is a big one for me, it helps me gather my thoughts. But also reading and consuming other people's content and books and videos, can really help me get new ideas
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
Inspiration for ideas. Discipline for execution of those ideas. Separating these two aspects of the creative process is critical to sustaining a long-term project like a novel or a continuing newsletter/Substack. Inspiration is the source of ideas. For fiction, "What if..." provides the backdrop for great storytelling. But once we're ready to go from idea to stories, then inspiration or motivation to put in the work takes a backseat to discipline. It's discipline that puts us in the chair when we'd rather watch Netflix or scroll our phones (or read Substack!). It's discipline pushes us from the first act through the second and into the final act. It's discipline that helps us through the painful rewrites when the first draft can be so painful, we'd rather shelve it than make the improvements needed to make it great. I wrote about this two weeks ago in my post The Grind of Writing. https://vincewetzel.substack.com/p/the-grind
Such great points Vince! I’m writing a memoir and have realized that I am “inspired” to write some parts… the words flow easily. Other parts are definitely a grind!! At first I thought perhaps the uninspired parts shouldn’t be included, or worse, that it was a sign that now wasn’t the time to write after all. Then I realized (or had to be honest with myself!) that writing requires discipline just as other parts of life or work do.
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
Gotta fall in love with the process, the entirety of it, for sure. The brilliance comes in the dark when we're at our limit. There's an unexpected gem that comes out of the grind and it makes it worth it. Keep it going!
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
Hey everyone! So happy to talk to you all. I'm an advertising copywriter so the quest for inspiration is kinda...crucial to my pay check. Hehe.
Personally, a creative practice that works for me is having lots of inspiration in my inbox or notifications! I'm talking newsletters, Pinterest boards, sharing thought-provoking or viral content with fellow creatives, and seeking inspiration actively, whether in real life or online. I work in advertising, so I'm "remotely" surrounded by creative folks pretty much all the time!
When I feel stumped or need to reignite my creativity, I spend some time going through my starred emails, my Pinterest boards, my saved LinkedIn or Instagram posts. If this doesn't work, I take a break. Creativity often requires you to be relaxed and not constantly "switched on". I find that I'm able to be quite creative about my own work stuff when I'm discussing it with my boyfriend (who is also a copywriter). That safe space often leads to both of us coming up with better ideas than we would pitching it to coworkers or bosses!
What keeps me going despite discouragement? As an anxious people pleaser who writes for a living, two things: validation, and my pay check. Just being real over here. :) Also, I remind myself that it's a marathon, not a sprint! Thankfully, I work with a great team so when there are days that I'm stuck, they're there to help bring projects over the finish line.
If there's someone out there reading this who needs help getting in touch with their creative self, good news: everyone is creative! It's a muscle and it needs exercise. Another great habit I have is carving out an hour a day for creative consumption or production. You can do this too: spend that hour reading a book, watching a NEW series or movie, listening to an artist who isn't usually on your rotation, go through your Pinterest feed, crochet, write a poem, compose a song, play an instrument, it's up to you! Just keep at it for an hour every day. Before you know it, you'll have lots of inspiration to draw from, and you'll be more creative and productive than you were a year ago!
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
I’m surprised at how often ideas come to me while driving and listening to podcasts...it’s as if hearing others’ expressions ignites something in me. Oftentimes journaling will lead to a connection of small nuggets that become a larger idea.
In terms of getting in touch with my creative self - I had a yearning desire to write for years but it wasn’t until I flipped the limiting narrative in my head (thanks to a life-changing retreat) that I was able to start honoring that desire. I recently discovered these wise words from author Chelsea Bieker that gets at this in a similar way: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseabieker/p/writing-isnt-hard
I love hearing success stories… and still being here a year later is success in my book! Well done, and thanks for sharing that encouragement to keep on keeping on. 💕
Aug 29·edited Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
One person always passing along inspiration is poet Andrea Gibson. Dealing with sucky cancer, she manages to be human AND inspiring. Her latest post includes this line: "What is in the way is the way." https://andreagibson.substack.com/p/cancer-chemotherapy-voice-loss The obstacles are definitely in the way! And yet maybe they can be used, too. It stuck with me because I'd just heard the same message a couple days earlier! I was listening to an interview with Michael Caine on Fresh Air (another place I've gone for decades to refresh). At the very end Caine told a story about obstacles—and if you're a certain age you can hear it in Caine's voice: "I was rehearsing a play, and there was a scene went on before me and then I had to come in the door. And one of the actors had thrown a chair at the other one and it had gone right in front of the door where I came in. So I opened the door, and then rather lamely I said to the producer, well, look, I can't get in. There's a chair in my way. So he said, well, use the difficulty. So I said, what do you mean use the difficulty? He said, well, if it's a drama, pick it up and smash it. If it's a comedy, fall over it." Caine said it became a line that he used later for life. And it's going to stay with me: Use the difficulty. I'm thinking about what it means right now for writing.
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
Inspiration comes to me in ways I don’t expect sometimes. When I actively search for it, it feels like I’m forcing things. When I’m having a quiet moment, or when I’m in a new place or trying new things, it hits me hard and fast.
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
What inspires me the most is spending time in more natural places and encountering other species, then learning things about those other species that I want to share with others. Also reading great writing on Substack or elsewhere.
Wonderful, Rose! Seeing the water or living nearby is practically a requirement for my nervous system. I'm a daily swimmer in the Salish Sea (58 degrees yesterday)
I’m currently at Lake Superior, which I’ve only discovered this summer is an amazing body of water to be in😍 Usually I’m in by the warmer parts of the Atlantic 🌊
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
So many beautiful ideas and suggestions on here. I get inspiration from poems and maybe a particular word when I do my early morning writing. And giving myself a short set amount of time to write to get ideas out. A lot of this came from doing Beth Kempton’s courses.
I love to move my body and walk my dog to help stuck ideas flow and I often get good ideas right at the end of my meditation time.
And reading - of all kinds - fiction and non.
And last but not least my children and their wisdom on life 🩷
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
Sorry needed to check the prompts again 🤣
I’ve felt discouraged on occasion when my family don’t seem to get why writing matters to me but it doesn’t stop me because I know that despite what they think we all benefit as a unit from me expressing myself in this way. I m one they rarely read it!
On that note that is what I’d say to encourage others. Writing or other creativity can be just for you and once you remove the need to worry what anyone else might think of it then you are free to do it however you want and reap the benefits.
Even as I write this I see I should take my own advice for writing on here. I think when I’ve written for me I’ve written the best stuff. Hard to drop the need for validation though 🤷♀️
Ugh it’s so hard sometimes to not think of my readers, i.e. specific people I know in real life, when I’m writing. I too do my best writing when it comes from within and not worrying about judgment.
Thank you, Jacqui, for these words of encouragement. I'm sorry your family doesn't always understand why writing matters to you. Rest assured that this community does, and we're very glad you're here!
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
What inspires me and my storytelling is short stories and folktales. Also music, especially the blues with their simplistic raw portrayal of storytelling. They remind me that no idea or thought is too weird. Fantasy in every meaning allows me to be the most creative, because often I get too caught up in reality and the hardships of turning nothing into something and forget about the PLAY in the creative process.
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
My inspiration for starting my Substack was to try and get notes I'd been taking for several years about songs and objects out into the world and upgraded from my brain dumps to something that would hopefully make sense to other people. Number 1 inspiration was (and remains) a desire to share ideas that have accumulated over a long period in a form that connects to others.
When that isn't enough to inspire a particular piece, I often find inspiration in music I've been listening to (I write about music, so that's only natural) or things I've tried to explain to other people previously (I'm a teacher, so I have experience of trying to explain things and/or get people curious about things they might not have considered).
I find it's important to make notes as soon as possible when inspiration hits, especially when there isn't time to follow up on those flashes (Voice Notes is good for this if you're away from pen or keyboard). The challenge then is to make the space and time to follow up on those notes. I use a daily online writing group to help with that discipline and accountability. But I still have countless undeveloped ideas in physical and digital notebooks that may never get further than a few inspiration-boosted bullet points.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
write about things I have been through and my experiences in places. The inspiration is the place itself and the things that the people go through and live by in these places, stories and memories I created with these people. The thing that keeps me going is that although there may be some discouragement from different sources, I still feel I am doing something important with my writing and saying something that has to be said. One benefit of getting in touch with your creative side is unlocking ways of thinking about yourself and the world around you that may have been repressed before.
Here is a link to my most recent piece of work about my time in Nicaragua.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
My inspiration comes from nature. Outside where the wild things are and I give myself the permission to simply investigate and inspect. I want to know more which means I need to take notes of the moments and the emotional resonance of each slowed down moment.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
For my photography I usually get inspired by people and, life that surrounds me, while travelling I like to describe different cultures and different traditions. Photography inspire my writing, my pics tell me what to write.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I'm motivated to counter popular content that is tone-deaf and oppressive toward people with or at risk of diabetes. The world doesn't need another "food hack, weight-loss suggestion, or a zillionaire sharing their health routine." I try to offer a different opinion—you know, to sprinkle joy and possibility in the world. I am fortunate to work 1:1 with clients via Nourish. They are my primary source of inspiration.
This resonates so much, Megrette! I grew up surrounded by diet culture and went on my first diet at 8 years old. I have spent years unlearning those old narratives and doing my best to love myself as I am. I also have a strong family history of diabetes, and it's so refreshing to see an approach to managing it that's not all about weight loss. Thank you!!!
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
This is literally why I launched my Substack, Creative Reverberations (https://creativereverberations.substack.com/). In the span of 24 hours in late 2023, I was hit with a double whammy--the loss of a long-time writing client and a breast cancer diagnosis. When I returned to work a few months later after surgery, I found that many publications were scaling back arts coverage and weren't hiring freelance entertainment journalists like me. So I launched my Substack as a way to talk to other creatives about their process, their influences, and how they break through creative blocks--all in an effort to break through my own creative jam.
It's been enormously helpful! I've interviewed authors, songwriters, filmmakers, makeup artists, and other creatives about their work. Hearing who they turn to for inspiration has been enlightening, and I've come away so inspired by the way each of these individuals approach their work.
A few months after I began Creative Reverberations, I began offering goodies to paid subscribers--things like playlists of music that tie back to that month's interviews, or roundups of reading/viewing recommendations, all from the individuals I interviewed. The interviews, along with creating the playlists and roundups, has really bolstered my own creativity.
So, the advice I would give to others who are stuck: Talk to other creatives about their work. Let their creativity inspire your own. Dive headfirst into music, art, books, TV, theater--whatever you love--and just enjoy it for the sake of enjoying it. And I'll share the one piece of advice that every single interview subject has said when asked what they would say to aspiring artists: Just do it. Write the book, make the film, paint the mural--whatever it is that you dream of doing, just start. Let it be messy and awful and just enjoy the process.
Aug 29Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Beautiful 🙌🏽 creative healing. That's my sweet spot: melting the Monkeys in our minds that whisper distractions and detractions - so we CAN "Just Do It."
This is such great advice, Sandra. It took me years to learn that creativity is not about being a lone genius. It's about sharing and connecting with others!
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
Mainly my inspiration comes in spurts. Mostly it’s when someone doesn’t have the ability to write something for which they need help. That is when I become inspired to write it for them. I have always had a keen insight into people and the emotions they show me through the way they speak, their mannerisms and actions. I listen intently, I pick up on what they try to convey. Then I write it for them. They are always amazed at how spot on my words express their thoughts and feelings. I find it harder to do for myself as I write my memoir. Those things I can do for others vanish when trying to write my own expression from memories. Ask me to express how I love you though is the easiest inspiration I personally have and my writing is once an unstoppable cascade of words. It’s always been a strange phenomenon to me. And how having “muses” inspire my creativity. Thanks for posting Smalltalk #5.
I have to agree, writing memoir is incredibly difficult. There are so many memories and ideas and emotions we know belong on the page, but sitting down to write them can be near impossible at times.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I find inspiration from people’s stories. Who is mired in grief right now and fighting to survive? Who is parenting a teenager in the current hellscape of adolescence? Who has had to move on from lost dreams? These people give me hope and remind me that there is beauty in everything, even the worst of all things.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
Lots of things I can relate to here - nature, conversation with others, conversation with myself (!), reading, music… the list goes on a bit!
But another thing that I find can help the inspiration is having a specific amount of time to work on a project. So, I’ll say to myself ‘You’ve got an hour, that’s all you’ve got. So what are you going to do with it?’ And strangely, this self talk often works!
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Most of the time I do have a project that I am working on, but like Jacqui said, other times, I just see what happens. For me, I tried to find a full hour as I often faff about for the first ten minutes.
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Totally! I used to think that I needed an endless amount of time to write, and while having more time is desirable, it isn't really possible! Plus, a bit like with moving the body and going for a walk, the brain needs to 'move' around too.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
To sustain my creativity, vision, and everything I do, I need to always remind myself to make time for what I call Regenerative activities (along with good sleep, hydration, and nutrition). Essentially, they're activities I enjoy and do just for my pleasure. They may lean more on the contemplative side or on the active side, it depends on what I need in the moment.
Like many other commenters, nature for me is a catalyst. I need to be in nature at least once a week. It helps me reconnect with the earth and, through it, with my deeper self and rhythms. Mariana Calleja Ross' Green Prescription Club (https://thefeelgoodlife.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-green-prescription) is helping me to be consistent with it.
Also, I resonate a lot with what Tricia Kyzer wrote about nature as an endless source of inspiration, mystery, and wonder and a tool to both clear our minds and fill them with new ideas.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
I find that reading on Substack is inspiring. Taking a walk, immersing in nature. Good music. Conversations with my children. All these spark the creativity within me. I am sometimes halted. The first thing I do is go back to Substack and read and somewhere in here, I find inspiration.
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G.
Reading, being outside, sex with myself or my partner, cooking, moving my body, painting, traveling. When all else fails- staring at the ceiling until I’m tired of myself and move on 🫠
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
I've been on a real journey to find what inspires my creativity the past year and a half since I started my Substack. This is the longest regular writing practice I've ever sustained and coming up with something to write about each week is not always easy. I've found that the easiest way for me to spark something is by grabbing a pen and a notebook and just writing. I call it a brain dump. It's the most effective way for me to remove any block and figure out what's interesting me that day. It's how I came to write a short essay called "I think you should be bad at more things" that I'm going to post tomorrow - I thought I might have to skip posting this week but once I found this thread, it just kept coming.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
I think my most recent article might better explain where I find inspiration - including why I wanted to be a writer and how it helps me deal with life’s challenges. Dropping it here for anyone who wants to check it out: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/why-i-started-disabled-ginger-and
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
Like many others, nature inspires me greatly. I learn a lot about living from our neighbors of other species. I read a lot, which inspires me to try new things in my writing. I am also very inspired by writing prompts in Beth Kempton’s writing sanctuaries. Sometimes my best inspiration is simply finding stillness and writing whatever comes.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
I see from the comments here that many of us are inspired by Nature. I think this is because we are part of Nature. By reconnecting with the natural world we connect to the deepest and most authentic part of ourselves.
I began my Substack (which is called By Nature) as a way of consciously focusing my attention on the natural world where I live or visit, and not taking it for granted or letting it pass me by (or rather, me passing by it). As a composer, this is reflected in the music I write, but also through images and words. On my walks I began to look more closely at the trees and the amazing variety of colours and textures of their bark. I took photos and started a @treebarkart Instagram account.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
My inspiration often comes from people telling me that my posts have helped them. I write about difficult subject matter - including ableism, discrimination, disability rights and living with chronic illness. It can often feel like shouting into a void.
When someone tells me a post resonated - or that it put into words everything they’ve been feeling but couldn’t say - that’s a HUGE source of inspiration.
I’m also inspired by music - especially showtunes. There’s something about the way they’re written and the amount of emotion in the songs that always brings me back to the page.
Aug 30Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Ha! That’s impossible! There’s just too many! I’m a total geek for anything Sondheim. Les Miserables was my first and probably my favourite - I’ve always been an Eponine girl. RENT got me through the death of my Mom and I love to rock out to Out Tonight. Adored Next to Normal, Spring Awakening and Newsies as well. There are very few musicals I don’t like!
Aug 31Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Woohoo! Go Team Epo! I actually got to cover the broadway revival of Les Mis as a theatre critic. Met the whole cast! And Rebecca Caine (original cosette in London) is a dear friend. She took me on a picnic in Regent’s Park in London and sang to me like a Disney princess!
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
On vacation now and …I brought my newest favorite book to stir ideas. Creative Acts for Curious People a d.school publication curated by Sarah Stein Greenberg. I love having time to slow read and this book is perfect. It’s stories and “assignments” by these gorgeous minds from Stanford’s d.school crew. Loving this time to just read an idea and sit with it.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
Nature is my inspiration. I love the deep and grounding connection to something much larger; something beyond the here and now. I wrote earlier in the month about the importance of this to me, that nature, and indeed m being outdoors, is an essential, a non-negotiable for. It’s where I’m most inspired 🌿 https://alifemorecreative.substack.com/p/reflections-on-a-simple-past-05?r=2y49o
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
I’ve recently swapped out Instagram for Substack, where I used to share inspirational images on relating to interior design trends and colour inspiration. I now share as a digital magazine, where I’m able to add more context to the details I’m sharing, supporting my members in turning their house into a home.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I get my inspiration from everything around me. The news, my own experiences, nature all contribute. I think it’s partly due to the ADHD, but I have zero system. Yesterday I wrote 4 drafts because I just couldn’t stop. Today, I have done nothing. lol. I do keep a notebook on me, just in case I get an idea while I’m not at my desk.
Maybe a "system" just isn't the thing. I don't have one either, and I also let the words flow when they have their own momentum. It feels better not to fight that.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
When I first started writing, I relied on writing prompts, probably a bit too much, but then one of my published stories and my serialized Harold and Sallie stories came from writing prompts.
I've written a couple of stories from dreams I've had. (And both of those are being published later this year!)
And I've written small memoir type pieces, bits of memories here and there from my childhood.
It's cool to hear that you've published and serialized stories based off writing prompts.
Tangentially, I've found inspiration before in writing writing prompts. Sometimes writing a prompt feels like writing a pitch to get people interested in a story, which urges me to write to complete it.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
Ideas for pieces come at any time, never when planned. I sit at my desk to put these ideas together. Sometimes it just flows. Sometimes not. Carol knows not to interrupt when I am at my desk. She always does. Maybe she knows this is just what I need. But nothing inspires like vacuuming a long-neglected carpet.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
My inspiration arises when I slow down the buzz of my nervous system that's been conditioned over almost 5 decades of life to always be in a state of hypervigilance. Whether it's slowing down my gaze to catch the glimmer of the distant ocean waves, tuning into the soft aroma of plumeria drifting near me, or feeling the gradual uncoiling of my body poised to constantly be in motion, slowing down is my entry into a world within where I can listen to my heart's wisdom without interruption and co-create new stories with her that remind me I can return to the endless well of inspiration as I simply be. Here is the link to a recent piece I wrote that was inspired from a moment of slowing down: https://substack.com/home/post/p-147938956?r=3cjo4s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
For me I find putting my legs up the wall and doing deep belly breathing helps a lot. As long as I can calm down enough to remember to do it! What about you?
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
Oh wow, that’s the 2nd time I’ve heard about putting your legs up on the wall as a full body refresh. I’m gonna try it! It’s an if I remember to do it thing for me too. 😂 I use a thought stopping technique I created years ago called The Reset Remedy. It helps stop the ruminations in my mind so my nervous system can chill out and my body can exhale for a moment. Happy to share it with you if you’re curious.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
What often inspires me is when I help a parent solve a specific challenge they are having with their kid, usually through a coaching session. I will leave the interaction pumped and eager to go write or create that same solution for someone else. I think when we focus out, away from ourselves, it often leads to inspiration.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I write near future SciFi and a lot of my inspiration comes from reading the news each day. What I thought wouldn’t happen for years to come is often happening today! I let my imagination take off with what might be coming in the future. I think about potential storylines, often drifting to the dark side and let things percolate. If the idea won’t let me go I start making notes and then see what happens. I do some research but try to limit so I don’t get lost down the rabbit hole. I learn enough to get the story moving then research only what I need.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
My novels are set in the US in the second half of 21st century. My protagonists are military so lots of high tech weapons, jet aircraft, drones, and lots of action. I love anything that flies so hero or other main character is always a pilot.
That's so cool, Bruce! I'm a big fan of letting things percolate. They always seem to bubble back up when they're ready. Any links to your fiction that you'd care to share with us?
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
Robin, thanks for asking about my writing. I'm working on my third novel but nothing has been published yet. I think my current work in progress might actually be publishable. Electromagnetic Assault is out with beta readers and once I use their feedback to write another draft I'll star working with an editor. Then comes the fun of finding a publisher. Best case scenario it will get published next year. If you're curious about my writing then please subscribe to my weekly newsletter - Future Trends and Science Fiction.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I have a long list of ideas that I brainstorm a few times a year, but I also get ideas while driving, in the shower, and while falling asleep, like many have shared. I have a memo app on my phone where I write down different ideas. I also get inspired by podcasts, books, and talking to people. A sentence or a quote will come up and get my mind rolling. I find staying open and curious is key. You never know when inspiration will strike!
Aug 28Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
I use the Notes app on my phone too as well as a notebook. They’re both a mess and all over the place, but just getting the ideas out of my head is incredibly helpful!
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him)
I joke that because my POTS gets so bad when I’m in the shower - I get tachycardic which sends more blood to my brain. That’s where MANY of my ideas come from!
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
like many here, i too find inspiration in nature and my reflection within it. but overall, i find inspiration anywhere i’m called. it’s most often in the liminal spaces. i’m inspired by the ability to see the interconnections in our world and, subsequently, by connecting the dots.
yes, exactly! i love how you framed the simultaneous room that exists for both familiarity and discovery. the two often inform each other in a neat way.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
That's an interesting question. I don't have any particular things I have or activities I do to get inspiration from.
Although there are several moments when I don't know what to write for my newsletter (or all the articles I post online).
I believe it's all inside of me from many years of relentless consuming from different mediums. Now it's just a matter of letting it out in a way that's most useful for other people.
I suppose that's what motivates and keeps me going even when it looks like I'm talking to the void or no one cares about what I write. But I know there are those out there who need it. And if I can't go back in time to change my future, at least I can help to change it for others.
That's a great, big source of inspiration on itself. 😁
I agree, Juan. I feel the same about my fiction writing. Yes, it's for me, of course it's for me, but it's also for the kids who need someone to remind them that magic is real.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
My inspiration is nature. It is an endless source of mystery and wonder. If I need a thought to expand, nature gives me the space. If I need to center my creativity, nature shows me how. If I need to let go or hold on, I just go for a walk. Nature is always teaching me and opening up my mind to new ideas.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I find inspiration in that careful spot in between consuming on the internet and abstaining from it. I often end up writing about my life and the epiphanies I've had that have changed my approach to the world. There's a tricky balance to be struck where these epiphanies often come along based on what I'm reading, watching, and listening to at the time, but only if I also balance it with time for boredom and the space to play with and connect ideas to my experience.
Thanks. It was very annoying at the time and then I decided it was just damn funny – and then I thought "there's my next post, never mind what I had been planning".
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I find my inspiration in nature, but also in books I read especially memoirs. Something I read will ignite a memory. I'm reading the Library Book now and it's brought up so many ideas for writing.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
My inspiration usually comes while I'm out for a walk. It's like a walking meditation and things pop in my head when I'm not forcing it. I set a goal to publish 1 post a week, but I also give myself grace if that doesn't happen, or if I'm not feeling particularly inspired that week, and wait until it 'naturally' happens.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
I feel inspired from being in creative communities, having people around me who are doing their own work, people in the same circle as me rather than distant role models. Related to that, having people I know who care about and have opinions on my work really helps with keeping me going.
I try not to force things too much, if I go somewhere to write but can't get words out or keep getting distracted it's better to admit defeat and go do something else than struggle for an hour to get three sentences. Rest is important. And sometimes you need to give a different idea the time it needs if it keeps stealing your attention, without completely switching over to it.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Rose G., Cheshir
When I feel open and spacious inside - rather than clenched up or flooded with rapid fire thoughts about the same old stuff - inspiration comes from anything and everything. So the trick for me is always to figure out how to soften again, how to let my mind go quiet, how to wake up to the tiny sensory details of the moment. A walk with my dog, sitting outside under my favorite tree, diving into water, a good belly laugh with my kids, dancing alone in the kitchen, reading something gorgeous, playing music, letting myself cry . . . there are a million ways to get there if I’m willing to relax and let it happen.
Aug 27Liked by Robin Cangie (she/her), Robin Taylor (he/him), Cheshir
When I wrote my 1st novel in Barbados, I could see the turquoise sea fifty feet from my desk. The sound of the ocean all day. Whenever I got stuck or wrote myself into a corner I'd jump in the water and find dragons and animals in the clouds. When I went back to my desk, the ideas flowed and I was able to navigate my way through. I was also motivated by my fellow writers. I knew I was living the writers dream, writing without the pressure of making the writing pay the bills and on top of that doing it from white sandy shores in the land of sunshine and rainbows with 330 beautiful days a year. I owed it to my fellow writers not to waste tis golden ticket and to sit my ass at my desk and write a good novel. I kept a timesheet, wrote for 4-6 hours a day, 5 days a week, hired two editors and put out an award winning novel. My Substack is called Writing Fiction On The Beach, chriskjones.substack.com. the second book in my Headcase series is serialized on Substack.
I write about my small garden. I keep a daily garden journal and take the inspirational bits out for my posts. I want to share tips with other gardeners who want to create a beautiful space outside their door. If I need to clear my head, I'll make a cup of tea and walk around the garden, noticing and listening. I learnt from other gardeners too, making notes from books and cutting out magazine articles.
Being outside is a big one for me, it helps me gather my thoughts. But also reading and consuming other people's content and books and videos, can really help me get new ideas
Inspiration for ideas. Discipline for execution of those ideas. Separating these two aspects of the creative process is critical to sustaining a long-term project like a novel or a continuing newsletter/Substack. Inspiration is the source of ideas. For fiction, "What if..." provides the backdrop for great storytelling. But once we're ready to go from idea to stories, then inspiration or motivation to put in the work takes a backseat to discipline. It's discipline that puts us in the chair when we'd rather watch Netflix or scroll our phones (or read Substack!). It's discipline pushes us from the first act through the second and into the final act. It's discipline that helps us through the painful rewrites when the first draft can be so painful, we'd rather shelve it than make the improvements needed to make it great. I wrote about this two weeks ago in my post The Grind of Writing. https://vincewetzel.substack.com/p/the-grind
Such great points Vince! I’m writing a memoir and have realized that I am “inspired” to write some parts… the words flow easily. Other parts are definitely a grind!! At first I thought perhaps the uninspired parts shouldn’t be included, or worse, that it was a sign that now wasn’t the time to write after all. Then I realized (or had to be honest with myself!) that writing requires discipline just as other parts of life or work do.
Gotta fall in love with the process, the entirety of it, for sure. The brilliance comes in the dark when we're at our limit. There's an unexpected gem that comes out of the grind and it makes it worth it. Keep it going!
Vince, speaking of inspiration 💡 - I took a screen shot of those words so I can remind myself later - thanks! 🙏 💛
Hey everyone! So happy to talk to you all. I'm an advertising copywriter so the quest for inspiration is kinda...crucial to my pay check. Hehe.
Personally, a creative practice that works for me is having lots of inspiration in my inbox or notifications! I'm talking newsletters, Pinterest boards, sharing thought-provoking or viral content with fellow creatives, and seeking inspiration actively, whether in real life or online. I work in advertising, so I'm "remotely" surrounded by creative folks pretty much all the time!
When I feel stumped or need to reignite my creativity, I spend some time going through my starred emails, my Pinterest boards, my saved LinkedIn or Instagram posts. If this doesn't work, I take a break. Creativity often requires you to be relaxed and not constantly "switched on". I find that I'm able to be quite creative about my own work stuff when I'm discussing it with my boyfriend (who is also a copywriter). That safe space often leads to both of us coming up with better ideas than we would pitching it to coworkers or bosses!
What keeps me going despite discouragement? As an anxious people pleaser who writes for a living, two things: validation, and my pay check. Just being real over here. :) Also, I remind myself that it's a marathon, not a sprint! Thankfully, I work with a great team so when there are days that I'm stuck, they're there to help bring projects over the finish line.
If there's someone out there reading this who needs help getting in touch with their creative self, good news: everyone is creative! It's a muscle and it needs exercise. Another great habit I have is carving out an hour a day for creative consumption or production. You can do this too: spend that hour reading a book, watching a NEW series or movie, listening to an artist who isn't usually on your rotation, go through your Pinterest feed, crochet, write a poem, compose a song, play an instrument, it's up to you! Just keep at it for an hour every day. Before you know it, you'll have lots of inspiration to draw from, and you'll be more creative and productive than you were a year ago!
Ha, a paycheck is valid inspiration! 😊 And thanks for all of these great tips!
P.S. Here's an old article I wrote that can help, whether you're a copywriter or not: https://buhaycopywriter.substack.com/p/5-ways-to-collect-copywriting-inspiration
I’m surprised at how often ideas come to me while driving and listening to podcasts...it’s as if hearing others’ expressions ignites something in me. Oftentimes journaling will lead to a connection of small nuggets that become a larger idea.
In terms of getting in touch with my creative self - I had a yearning desire to write for years but it wasn’t until I flipped the limiting narrative in my head (thanks to a life-changing retreat) that I was able to start honoring that desire. I recently discovered these wise words from author Chelsea Bieker that gets at this in a similar way: https://open.substack.com/pub/chelseabieker/p/writing-isnt-hard
I wrote about honoring my creative self as my very first Substack post a year ago! And I’m still here :) https://open.substack.com/pub/theconsciousconsumer/p/unleashing-my-sprinkles
I love hearing success stories… and still being here a year later is success in my book! Well done, and thanks for sharing that encouragement to keep on keeping on. 💕
Thanks Rose, I appreciate it! :) And thanks to you and the whole SmallStack team for creating this space - I just discovered it!
One person always passing along inspiration is poet Andrea Gibson. Dealing with sucky cancer, she manages to be human AND inspiring. Her latest post includes this line: "What is in the way is the way." https://andreagibson.substack.com/p/cancer-chemotherapy-voice-loss The obstacles are definitely in the way! And yet maybe they can be used, too. It stuck with me because I'd just heard the same message a couple days earlier! I was listening to an interview with Michael Caine on Fresh Air (another place I've gone for decades to refresh). At the very end Caine told a story about obstacles—and if you're a certain age you can hear it in Caine's voice: "I was rehearsing a play, and there was a scene went on before me and then I had to come in the door. And one of the actors had thrown a chair at the other one and it had gone right in front of the door where I came in. So I opened the door, and then rather lamely I said to the producer, well, look, I can't get in. There's a chair in my way. So he said, well, use the difficulty. So I said, what do you mean use the difficulty? He said, well, if it's a drama, pick it up and smash it. If it's a comedy, fall over it." Caine said it became a line that he used later for life. And it's going to stay with me: Use the difficulty. I'm thinking about what it means right now for writing.
Wow, I really love that approach! And I also like Michael Caine AND Andrea Gibson so much! Great inspiration.
Inspiration comes to me in ways I don’t expect sometimes. When I actively search for it, it feels like I’m forcing things. When I’m having a quiet moment, or when I’m in a new place or trying new things, it hits me hard and fast.
Ah yes Lily, I love the inspiration that comes from quiet moments. 💜
What inspires me the most is spending time in more natural places and encountering other species, then learning things about those other species that I want to share with others. Also reading great writing on Substack or elsewhere.
Me too, Ruth!
MY INSPIRED CREATIVE PROCESS...
🌊 Singing for water resets my heart (sing + swim = Mermaid joy 🧜🏼♀️)
🙏🏼 Co-writing Zoom 6-10am weekdays. Butt in chair + creative friends' support
🗣️ Walking & talking creates a storytelling vibe (record first drafts in my notes app)
💃🏻 Daily dancing gets me in the flow ~
💗 Plus meeting you here on SmallStack, Brave Creatives!
https://heartsquest.substack.com/
Mermaid joy—yes!
Hey how lucky is this - I’m a mermaid too! 🧜♀️ 😉 Being near water helps me think clearly! 🌊
Wonderful, Rose! Seeing the water or living nearby is practically a requirement for my nervous system. I'm a daily swimmer in the Salish Sea (58 degrees yesterday)
Brr and wow!!! 🤩 🤩
I’m currently at Lake Superior, which I’ve only discovered this summer is an amazing body of water to be in😍 Usually I’m in by the warmer parts of the Atlantic 🌊
So many beautiful ideas and suggestions on here. I get inspiration from poems and maybe a particular word when I do my early morning writing. And giving myself a short set amount of time to write to get ideas out. A lot of this came from doing Beth Kempton’s courses.
I love to move my body and walk my dog to help stuck ideas flow and I often get good ideas right at the end of my meditation time.
And reading - of all kinds - fiction and non.
And last but not least my children and their wisdom on life 🩷
Sorry needed to check the prompts again 🤣
I’ve felt discouraged on occasion when my family don’t seem to get why writing matters to me but it doesn’t stop me because I know that despite what they think we all benefit as a unit from me expressing myself in this way. I m one they rarely read it!
On that note that is what I’d say to encourage others. Writing or other creativity can be just for you and once you remove the need to worry what anyone else might think of it then you are free to do it however you want and reap the benefits.
Even as I write this I see I should take my own advice for writing on here. I think when I’ve written for me I’ve written the best stuff. Hard to drop the need for validation though 🤷♀️
https://jacquisonelife.substack.com/p/creating-a-business-i-dont-want-to?r=supd8&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true
Ugh it’s so hard sometimes to not think of my readers, i.e. specific people I know in real life, when I’m writing. I too do my best writing when it comes from within and not worrying about judgment.
Thank you, Jacqui, for these words of encouragement. I'm sorry your family doesn't always understand why writing matters to you. Rest assured that this community does, and we're very glad you're here!
Ah thank you. Im over it now. My kids are wrapped up in their lives and I think my hubby is getting it
I find inspiration at my monthly writers group MRW...
The ladies,( and two men now) are always supportive and encouraging..Find a local group in your area.
Love this! Creativity doesn't happen in a vacuum.
What inspires me and my storytelling is short stories and folktales. Also music, especially the blues with their simplistic raw portrayal of storytelling. They remind me that no idea or thought is too weird. Fantasy in every meaning allows me to be the most creative, because often I get too caught up in reality and the hardships of turning nothing into something and forget about the PLAY in the creative process.
Folktales inspire me, too! "No idea or thought is too weird." Yes, I love this!
My inspiration for starting my Substack was to try and get notes I'd been taking for several years about songs and objects out into the world and upgraded from my brain dumps to something that would hopefully make sense to other people. Number 1 inspiration was (and remains) a desire to share ideas that have accumulated over a long period in a form that connects to others.
When that isn't enough to inspire a particular piece, I often find inspiration in music I've been listening to (I write about music, so that's only natural) or things I've tried to explain to other people previously (I'm a teacher, so I have experience of trying to explain things and/or get people curious about things they might not have considered).
I find it's important to make notes as soon as possible when inspiration hits, especially when there isn't time to follow up on those flashes (Voice Notes is good for this if you're away from pen or keyboard). The challenge then is to make the space and time to follow up on those notes. I use a daily online writing group to help with that discipline and accountability. But I still have countless undeveloped ideas in physical and digital notebooks that may never get further than a few inspiration-boosted bullet points.
Like others here, I often find inspiration when I'm out in nature or semi-nature. Over the past year, that has included running and I wrote a piece about this: https://songstudies.substack.com/p/how-the-landscape-feels-with-music.
I needed this reminder to jot down those ideas as they come, when they are fresh… I’ve had far too many escape into the ether lately. Thanks! 💡 🙏
write about things I have been through and my experiences in places. The inspiration is the place itself and the things that the people go through and live by in these places, stories and memories I created with these people. The thing that keeps me going is that although there may be some discouragement from different sources, I still feel I am doing something important with my writing and saying something that has to be said. One benefit of getting in touch with your creative side is unlocking ways of thinking about yourself and the world around you that may have been repressed before.
Here is a link to my most recent piece of work about my time in Nicaragua.
https://open.substack.com/pub/jamesluckey/p/the-conscious-traveler-nicaragua?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
All of this! I’ve learned so much about myself and the world through the act of writing. ✍️
My inspiration comes from nature. Outside where the wild things are and I give myself the permission to simply investigate and inspect. I want to know more which means I need to take notes of the moments and the emotional resonance of each slowed down moment.
That's such a lovely way to approach time in nature. Thank you for sharing, Stacy!
For my photography I usually get inspired by people and, life that surrounds me, while travelling I like to describe different cultures and different traditions. Photography inspire my writing, my pics tell me what to write.
https://ionlytakepics.substack.com
Flavio, what stunning pictures! Your photos of Peru bring back memories of a wonderful trip I took there 12 years ago. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you!! I'm happy that my pictures gave you good feelings!
I'm motivated to counter popular content that is tone-deaf and oppressive toward people with or at risk of diabetes. The world doesn't need another "food hack, weight-loss suggestion, or a zillionaire sharing their health routine." I try to offer a different opinion—you know, to sprinkle joy and possibility in the world. I am fortunate to work 1:1 with clients via Nourish. They are my primary source of inspiration.
https://noweightlossrequired.substack.com/
This resonates so much, Megrette! I grew up surrounded by diet culture and went on my first diet at 8 years old. I have spent years unlearning those old narratives and doing my best to love myself as I am. I also have a strong family history of diabetes, and it's so refreshing to see an approach to managing it that's not all about weight loss. Thank you!!!
Congratulations, Robin, in breaking free of diet culture. That is a great accomplishment. I appreciate the kudos!
This is literally why I launched my Substack, Creative Reverberations (https://creativereverberations.substack.com/). In the span of 24 hours in late 2023, I was hit with a double whammy--the loss of a long-time writing client and a breast cancer diagnosis. When I returned to work a few months later after surgery, I found that many publications were scaling back arts coverage and weren't hiring freelance entertainment journalists like me. So I launched my Substack as a way to talk to other creatives about their process, their influences, and how they break through creative blocks--all in an effort to break through my own creative jam.
It's been enormously helpful! I've interviewed authors, songwriters, filmmakers, makeup artists, and other creatives about their work. Hearing who they turn to for inspiration has been enlightening, and I've come away so inspired by the way each of these individuals approach their work.
A few months after I began Creative Reverberations, I began offering goodies to paid subscribers--things like playlists of music that tie back to that month's interviews, or roundups of reading/viewing recommendations, all from the individuals I interviewed. The interviews, along with creating the playlists and roundups, has really bolstered my own creativity.
So, the advice I would give to others who are stuck: Talk to other creatives about their work. Let their creativity inspire your own. Dive headfirst into music, art, books, TV, theater--whatever you love--and just enjoy it for the sake of enjoying it. And I'll share the one piece of advice that every single interview subject has said when asked what they would say to aspiring artists: Just do it. Write the book, make the film, paint the mural--whatever it is that you dream of doing, just start. Let it be messy and awful and just enjoy the process.
Beautiful 🙌🏽 creative healing. That's my sweet spot: melting the Monkeys in our minds that whisper distractions and detractions - so we CAN "Just Do It."
"Melting the Monkeys in our minds"--I love that!!
This is such great advice, Sandra. It took me years to learn that creativity is not about being a lone genius. It's about sharing and connecting with others!
Thank you! It's very hard to break out of the solitary act of creating, but it's definitely much more inspiring when you connect with fellow artists.
Mainly my inspiration comes in spurts. Mostly it’s when someone doesn’t have the ability to write something for which they need help. That is when I become inspired to write it for them. I have always had a keen insight into people and the emotions they show me through the way they speak, their mannerisms and actions. I listen intently, I pick up on what they try to convey. Then I write it for them. They are always amazed at how spot on my words express their thoughts and feelings. I find it harder to do for myself as I write my memoir. Those things I can do for others vanish when trying to write my own expression from memories. Ask me to express how I love you though is the easiest inspiration I personally have and my writing is once an unstoppable cascade of words. It’s always been a strange phenomenon to me. And how having “muses” inspire my creativity. Thanks for posting Smalltalk #5.
I have to agree, writing memoir is incredibly difficult. There are so many memories and ideas and emotions we know belong on the page, but sitting down to write them can be near impossible at times.
I find inspiration from people’s stories. Who is mired in grief right now and fighting to survive? Who is parenting a teenager in the current hellscape of adolescence? Who has had to move on from lost dreams? These people give me hope and remind me that there is beauty in everything, even the worst of all things.
Christina, you sound like a SmallStack team member! We are all about the stories around us.
Lots of things I can relate to here - nature, conversation with others, conversation with myself (!), reading, music… the list goes on a bit!
But another thing that I find can help the inspiration is having a specific amount of time to work on a project. So, I’ll say to myself ‘You’ve got an hour, that’s all you’ve got. So what are you going to do with it?’ And strangely, this self talk often works!
Do you have a specific topic or project when you sit down with a time limit, or do you just see what happens?
The 20-25 minute trick works for me if I am having trouble just getting started. Usually within that window some kind of idea starts to form.
Most of the time I do have a project that I am working on, but like Jacqui said, other times, I just see what happens. For me, I tried to find a full hour as I often faff about for the first ten minutes.
Yes snd yo just keep writing whatever - even if you’re just writing I don’t know what to write!
Love that about the time restraint. I find that too when I give myself a right window to work in. Even 20 minutes can be enough sometimes
Totally! I used to think that I needed an endless amount of time to write, and while having more time is desirable, it isn't really possible! Plus, a bit like with moving the body and going for a walk, the brain needs to 'move' around too.
Yes I agree. I think the main point is to keep sitting down and writing something - anything. You never know what might appear!!
To sustain my creativity, vision, and everything I do, I need to always remind myself to make time for what I call Regenerative activities (along with good sleep, hydration, and nutrition). Essentially, they're activities I enjoy and do just for my pleasure. They may lean more on the contemplative side or on the active side, it depends on what I need in the moment.
Like many other commenters, nature for me is a catalyst. I need to be in nature at least once a week. It helps me reconnect with the earth and, through it, with my deeper self and rhythms. Mariana Calleja Ross' Green Prescription Club (https://thefeelgoodlife.substack.com/p/welcome-to-the-green-prescription) is helping me to be consistent with it.
Also, I resonate a lot with what Tricia Kyzer wrote about nature as an endless source of inspiration, mystery, and wonder and a tool to both clear our minds and fill them with new ideas.
I love this ‘green prescriptions’ concept, thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you found it helpful! :)
Thank you so much for your mention, Giada! Means the world. I'm so so so glad to hear this. ❤️❤️❤️
I find that reading on Substack is inspiring. Taking a walk, immersing in nature. Good music. Conversations with my children. All these spark the creativity within me. I am sometimes halted. The first thing I do is go back to Substack and read and somewhere in here, I find inspiration.
Likewise. There are so many great creatives here on substack to learn from and be inspired by!
Love all of those ideas. Walking and good conversation for sure. 👍
Reading, being outside, sex with myself or my partner, cooking, moving my body, painting, traveling. When all else fails- staring at the ceiling until I’m tired of myself and move on 🫠
I don't know, I've seen some pretty interesting ceilings...
I've been on a real journey to find what inspires my creativity the past year and a half since I started my Substack. This is the longest regular writing practice I've ever sustained and coming up with something to write about each week is not always easy. I've found that the easiest way for me to spark something is by grabbing a pen and a notebook and just writing. I call it a brain dump. It's the most effective way for me to remove any block and figure out what's interesting me that day. It's how I came to write a short essay called "I think you should be bad at more things" that I'm going to post tomorrow - I thought I might have to skip posting this week but once I found this thread, it just kept coming.
My post if anyone is interested in reading it: https://themidwestcreative.substack.com/p/i-think-you-should-be-bad-at-more?r=6a3ng
That title alone is epic!
I think my most recent article might better explain where I find inspiration - including why I wanted to be a writer and how it helps me deal with life’s challenges. Dropping it here for anyone who wants to check it out: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/why-i-started-disabled-ginger-and
I am so glad you're here writing and sharing your voice with us.
Thank you both! A gal’s gotta have gumption & gusto!
Thank you so much for sharing this! May you continue to find your voice and gumption!
Like many others, nature inspires me greatly. I learn a lot about living from our neighbors of other species. I read a lot, which inspires me to try new things in my writing. I am also very inspired by writing prompts in Beth Kempton’s writing sanctuaries. Sometimes my best inspiration is simply finding stillness and writing whatever comes.
"Finding stillness" sounds so wonderful.
A challenge in our culture!
I see from the comments here that many of us are inspired by Nature. I think this is because we are part of Nature. By reconnecting with the natural world we connect to the deepest and most authentic part of ourselves.
I began my Substack (which is called By Nature) as a way of consciously focusing my attention on the natural world where I live or visit, and not taking it for granted or letting it pass me by (or rather, me passing by it). As a composer, this is reflected in the music I write, but also through images and words. On my walks I began to look more closely at the trees and the amazing variety of colours and textures of their bark. I took photos and started a @treebarkart Instagram account.
Getting up close to trees and really paying attention made me appreciate many other aspects of trees. I began writing a series of orchestral compositions called The Wisdom of Trees which I am introducing through my newsletter here. https://open.substack.com/pub/glynsmusic/p/the-wisdom-of-trees?r=3w1kec&utm_medium=ios
We're singing the same song, Glyn. I sing with Mama Earth daily. Especially her waters. I just posted this: https://substack.com/@christinecastigliano/note/c-67131910
Ahh I love this! Aspiring composer and fellow nature lover here. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Nikki. I hope your aspirations become reality!
My inspiration often comes from people telling me that my posts have helped them. I write about difficult subject matter - including ableism, discrimination, disability rights and living with chronic illness. It can often feel like shouting into a void.
When someone tells me a post resonated - or that it put into words everything they’ve been feeling but couldn’t say - that’s a HUGE source of inspiration.
I’m also inspired by music - especially showtunes. There’s something about the way they’re written and the amount of emotion in the songs that always brings me back to the page.
You didn't mention a favorite showtune, and you know I want to know.
Ha! That’s impossible! There’s just too many! I’m a total geek for anything Sondheim. Les Miserables was my first and probably my favourite - I’ve always been an Eponine girl. RENT got me through the death of my Mom and I love to rock out to Out Tonight. Adored Next to Normal, Spring Awakening and Newsies as well. There are very few musicals I don’t like!
OH MY GOD. I have adored Eponine forever. Are we twins??
Woohoo! Go Team Epo! I actually got to cover the broadway revival of Les Mis as a theatre critic. Met the whole cast! And Rebecca Caine (original cosette in London) is a dear friend. She took me on a picnic in Regent’s Park in London and sang to me like a Disney princess!
On vacation now and …I brought my newest favorite book to stir ideas. Creative Acts for Curious People a d.school publication curated by Sarah Stein Greenberg. I love having time to slow read and this book is perfect. It’s stories and “assignments” by these gorgeous minds from Stanford’s d.school crew. Loving this time to just read an idea and sit with it.
I'm going to look for that book!
Nature is my inspiration. I love the deep and grounding connection to something much larger; something beyond the here and now. I wrote earlier in the month about the importance of this to me, that nature, and indeed m being outdoors, is an essential, a non-negotiable for. It’s where I’m most inspired 🌿 https://alifemorecreative.substack.com/p/reflections-on-a-simple-past-05?r=2y49o
David, your photos are so beautiful!!
Aww, thank you 🙏
I’ve recently swapped out Instagram for Substack, where I used to share inspirational images on relating to interior design trends and colour inspiration. I now share as a digital magazine, where I’m able to add more context to the details I’m sharing, supporting my members in turning their house into a home.
I get my inspiration from everything around me. The news, my own experiences, nature all contribute. I think it’s partly due to the ADHD, but I have zero system. Yesterday I wrote 4 drafts because I just couldn’t stop. Today, I have done nothing. lol. I do keep a notebook on me, just in case I get an idea while I’m not at my desk.
Maybe a "system" just isn't the thing. I don't have one either, and I also let the words flow when they have their own momentum. It feels better not to fight that.
When I first started writing, I relied on writing prompts, probably a bit too much, but then one of my published stories and my serialized Harold and Sallie stories came from writing prompts.
I've written a couple of stories from dreams I've had. (And both of those are being published later this year!)
And I've written small memoir type pieces, bits of memories here and there from my childhood.
It's cool to hear that you've published and serialized stories based off writing prompts.
Tangentially, I've found inspiration before in writing writing prompts. Sometimes writing a prompt feels like writing a pitch to get people interested in a story, which urges me to write to complete it.
Ideas for pieces come at any time, never when planned. I sit at my desk to put these ideas together. Sometimes it just flows. Sometimes not. Carol knows not to interrupt when I am at my desk. She always does. Maybe she knows this is just what I need. But nothing inspires like vacuuming a long-neglected carpet.
Here's a link:
https://chrisgartland.substack.com/p/planets-and-beasts-08162024
Thank you for sharing, Chris! Beautiful words. We could all do with more howling at Jupiter, I think.
My inspiration arises when I slow down the buzz of my nervous system that's been conditioned over almost 5 decades of life to always be in a state of hypervigilance. Whether it's slowing down my gaze to catch the glimmer of the distant ocean waves, tuning into the soft aroma of plumeria drifting near me, or feeling the gradual uncoiling of my body poised to constantly be in motion, slowing down is my entry into a world within where I can listen to my heart's wisdom without interruption and co-create new stories with her that remind me I can return to the endless well of inspiration as I simply be. Here is the link to a recent piece I wrote that was inspired from a moment of slowing down: https://substack.com/home/post/p-147938956?r=3cjo4s&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Slowing down the buzz of an overactive nervous system is so important (and so hard when you’ve always been in a vigilant state)!
Yes! It’s like the more you try to dial down the buzz, the louder it gets. It’s definitely taken years to get there.
That’s exactly it! When I focus on it - it just gets worse. And when the buzz is really loud writing does NOT happen. It’s just not possible.
I really appreciate you bringing up this important hurdle!
What have you found is a soothing salve when the buzz is on surround sound?
For me I find putting my legs up the wall and doing deep belly breathing helps a lot. As long as I can calm down enough to remember to do it! What about you?
That's something I learned in yoga years ago. It's surprising how utterly relaxing it is.
Oh wow, that’s the 2nd time I’ve heard about putting your legs up on the wall as a full body refresh. I’m gonna try it! It’s an if I remember to do it thing for me too. 😂 I use a thought stopping technique I created years ago called The Reset Remedy. It helps stop the ruminations in my mind so my nervous system can chill out and my body can exhale for a moment. Happy to share it with you if you’re curious.
Ah yes, I think what you describe is EXACTLY why I crave and value my writing time so much! ❤️
Thank you Rose. I'm so glad this resonates with you!
What often inspires me is when I help a parent solve a specific challenge they are having with their kid, usually through a coaching session. I will leave the interaction pumped and eager to go write or create that same solution for someone else. I think when we focus out, away from ourselves, it often leads to inspiration.
I've had the same experience, Laura! 😁
I write near future SciFi and a lot of my inspiration comes from reading the news each day. What I thought wouldn’t happen for years to come is often happening today! I let my imagination take off with what might be coming in the future. I think about potential storylines, often drifting to the dark side and let things percolate. If the idea won’t let me go I start making notes and then see what happens. I do some research but try to limit so I don’t get lost down the rabbit hole. I learn enough to get the story moving then research only what I need.
That’s super neat! I’ve always been a big fan of sci-fi that has a level of rooting in the real world
My novels are set in the US in the second half of 21st century. My protagonists are military so lots of high tech weapons, jet aircraft, drones, and lots of action. I love anything that flies so hero or other main character is always a pilot.
That's so cool, Bruce! I'm a big fan of letting things percolate. They always seem to bubble back up when they're ready. Any links to your fiction that you'd care to share with us?
Robin, thanks for asking about my writing. I'm working on my third novel but nothing has been published yet. I think my current work in progress might actually be publishable. Electromagnetic Assault is out with beta readers and once I use their feedback to write another draft I'll star working with an editor. Then comes the fun of finding a publisher. Best case scenario it will get published next year. If you're curious about my writing then please subscribe to my weekly newsletter - Future Trends and Science Fiction.
I have a long list of ideas that I brainstorm a few times a year, but I also get ideas while driving, in the shower, and while falling asleep, like many have shared. I have a memo app on my phone where I write down different ideas. I also get inspired by podcasts, books, and talking to people. A sentence or a quote will come up and get my mind rolling. I find staying open and curious is key. You never know when inspiration will strike!
I am a handwriter but have truly learned the value of recording a thought in the middle of the day or night.
I use the Notes app on my phone too as well as a notebook. They’re both a mess and all over the place, but just getting the ideas out of my head is incredibly helpful!
Shower inspiration is real.
I joke that because my POTS gets so bad when I’m in the shower - I get tachycardic which sends more blood to my brain. That’s where MANY of my ideas come from!
For sure, especially when you are wet and soapy and can't write anything down! 🤣
like many here, i too find inspiration in nature and my reflection within it. but overall, i find inspiration anywhere i’m called. it’s most often in the liminal spaces. i’m inspired by the ability to see the interconnections in our world and, subsequently, by connecting the dots.
Liminal spaces inspire me, too! They're familiar and new at the same time and rich with possibility.
yes, exactly! i love how you framed the simultaneous room that exists for both familiarity and discovery. the two often inform each other in a neat way.
That's an interesting question. I don't have any particular things I have or activities I do to get inspiration from.
Although there are several moments when I don't know what to write for my newsletter (or all the articles I post online).
I believe it's all inside of me from many years of relentless consuming from different mediums. Now it's just a matter of letting it out in a way that's most useful for other people.
I suppose that's what motivates and keeps me going even when it looks like I'm talking to the void or no one cares about what I write. But I know there are those out there who need it. And if I can't go back in time to change my future, at least I can help to change it for others.
That's a great, big source of inspiration on itself. 😁
I agree, Juan. I feel the same about my fiction writing. Yes, it's for me, of course it's for me, but it's also for the kids who need someone to remind them that magic is real.
That's so lovely, Robin. I feel like that's a great inspiration source too.
I believe we all need to be reminded of that magic we lost along the way.
My inspiration is nature. It is an endless source of mystery and wonder. If I need a thought to expand, nature gives me the space. If I need to center my creativity, nature shows me how. If I need to let go or hold on, I just go for a walk. Nature is always teaching me and opening up my mind to new ideas.
Ahh, yes. Nature.
I find inspiration in that careful spot in between consuming on the internet and abstaining from it. I often end up writing about my life and the epiphanies I've had that have changed my approach to the world. There's a tricky balance to be struck where these epiphanies often come along based on what I'm reading, watching, and listening to at the time, but only if I also balance it with time for boredom and the space to play with and connect ideas to my experience.
Boredom is underrated... and essential, in my experience!
Even an argument with the Substack bot was an inspiration (https://arichardson.substack.com/p/conversations-with-a-bot)
Haha I loved this article Ann! Sooo relatable 😂
Thanks. It was very annoying at the time and then I decided it was just damn funny – and then I thought "there's my next post, never mind what I had been planning".
Yes, love the spontaneity! 😊
I find inspiration is all around me. I write on anything I feel like (no theme, like cooking or politics, but also my Substack is not centred on what is happening to me as such). I have a birthday (OK, it was 80 years) - a post (https://arichardson.substack.com/p/turning-80); I pick up an old ladle I have used for years - a post (https://arichardson.substack.com/p/the-durability-of-things); I wish to share interviews I have done over the years - a post (https://arichardson.substack.com/p/what-can-we-learn-from-a-hospice; https://arichardson.substack.com/p/daisy). It's just a matter of seeing things.
I find my inspiration in nature, but also in books I read especially memoirs. Something I read will ignite a memory. I'm reading the Library Book now and it's brought up so many ideas for writing.
My inspiration usually comes while I'm out for a walk. It's like a walking meditation and things pop in my head when I'm not forcing it. I set a goal to publish 1 post a week, but I also give myself grace if that doesn't happen, or if I'm not feeling particularly inspired that week, and wait until it 'naturally' happens.
I feel inspired from being in creative communities, having people around me who are doing their own work, people in the same circle as me rather than distant role models. Related to that, having people I know who care about and have opinions on my work really helps with keeping me going.
I try not to force things too much, if I go somewhere to write but can't get words out or keep getting distracted it's better to admit defeat and go do something else than struggle for an hour to get three sentences. Rest is important. And sometimes you need to give a different idea the time it needs if it keeps stealing your attention, without completely switching over to it.
When I feel open and spacious inside - rather than clenched up or flooded with rapid fire thoughts about the same old stuff - inspiration comes from anything and everything. So the trick for me is always to figure out how to soften again, how to let my mind go quiet, how to wake up to the tiny sensory details of the moment. A walk with my dog, sitting outside under my favorite tree, diving into water, a good belly laugh with my kids, dancing alone in the kitchen, reading something gorgeous, playing music, letting myself cry . . . there are a million ways to get there if I’m willing to relax and let it happen.
When I wrote my 1st novel in Barbados, I could see the turquoise sea fifty feet from my desk. The sound of the ocean all day. Whenever I got stuck or wrote myself into a corner I'd jump in the water and find dragons and animals in the clouds. When I went back to my desk, the ideas flowed and I was able to navigate my way through. I was also motivated by my fellow writers. I knew I was living the writers dream, writing without the pressure of making the writing pay the bills and on top of that doing it from white sandy shores in the land of sunshine and rainbows with 330 beautiful days a year. I owed it to my fellow writers not to waste tis golden ticket and to sit my ass at my desk and write a good novel. I kept a timesheet, wrote for 4-6 hours a day, 5 days a week, hired two editors and put out an award winning novel. My Substack is called Writing Fiction On The Beach, chriskjones.substack.com. the second book in my Headcase series is serialized on Substack.