Gathering Inspiration: Consistency and Finding Your Own Way
“The poetic creative process starts with an inspiration. Popular descriptions of the poet creating a poem usually conjure up an image of a brooding and silent figure whose face suddenly becomes transfigured and illuminated by a thought or idea which is quickly converted into scribbled notes, full-blown poetic lines, or even entire poems at one sitting” - Albert Rothenburg
This image is one we, as writers, are all familiar with. We all relish the moment where the pencil seldom leaves the page or when you feel the keys on your computer may fly off as your fingers cramp from holding the same position for too long—so what happens when we are unable to develop ideas or gather inspiration for our work? Even accomplished writers struggle with the act of writing because it truly can be a daunting task. If you are a writer who gets stuck, here are some tips to help you move forward by gathering inspiration through consistency to find your own way.
Removing the Blockage
I used to believe in writer’s block because I would have bouts of prosperity in my writing, but a lack of consistency meant I would have extended periods without writing at all. I felt I could not find inspiration without being fully at peace, without beauty in every direction, without something profound occurring in my life– how I forced myself to ignore my surroundings and the little things that could have made all the difference in my writing. I often felt like if I was not writing a Shakespearean Sonnet or with the vigor of Emily Dickinson– that if I could not put my poetry side by side with the greats, I had nothing worth sharing or placing on a page. I slowly began killing my love for writing with pond water stillness, stagnating the opportunity to grow in my craft. What I failed to realize was revealed to me while taking two writing courses: I was not writing. I was not consistent. I was not looking for inspiration. I had not been doing anything to get out of my poetry depression era. Taking Write Your Heart In by Andrea Gibson and Poems that Don’t Suck by Megan Falley gave my writing process consistency, and both have allowed me to develop and find my own way.
Each class focuses on writing prompts and generating ideas for a set number of weeks, editing in between new prompts, and the goal to showcase your work in front of loving and supportive writing communities. In a general sense, much of what we write about stems from our experiences and the ways they have shaped our world. There seems to be an unspoken expectation that to write about our experiences it must be a grand or life-altering event. I spoke with a young writer that said, “Not much has happened to me, so I don’t have anything to write about.” Inspiration does not need to be huge to make an impact, in fact, sometimes the smallest details pack the biggest punch. Gathering inspiration can be as easy as going for a walk and taking in what you see.
Award-winning poet and essayist, Megan Falley, teaches the intensive writing course Poems that Don’t Suck (in my opinion, one of the best bangs for your buck you’ll get as a writer and poet). She posts free writing tips on Instagram and recently joined TikTok to share her expertise there as well. She posted a video on a walk that has stuck with me titled, “Hunt for Inspiration.” The video can be found here on Instagram, but it’s captioned with “good writers have their eyes open and know that inspiration exists everywhere and is just waiting for the writer to notice it and pin it to the page. i took a walk to prove this theory. you can watch the full video on tiktok [@megan.falley].”
Finding Your Own Way
Comparisons will kill your craft. We all do it periodically, but try to remind yourself you are you—and you’re the only person with your exact experience and skill set. Your skillset and life experience will never be the same as someone else’s, so there’s no possible way to write the same either (unless you copy everything verbatim). The way you write will never be the same.
The best way to get ahead and hone in on your craft will be to focus on what your strengths and weaknesses are and learn from both. Build your circle, ask for support, and never stop trying. Find what works for you and stick with it.
C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-Y
As you begin to find your own way it’s important to be consistent. Something will always be better than nothing. It’s important to dedicate some amount of time to your craft regularly. This can be daily, weekly, or monthly—but I recommend it as often as you are able.
The more you write the better at writing you will become. If you never practice writing or do so infrequently, the inconsistency will show. This can be alleviated by becoming more consistent and finding your own way! Figure out what works for you. Dedicating time can be as simple as editing a stanza, adding a comma, or writing a line that popped into your head—don’t limit yourself because you do not feel up to writing a full chapbook in a day!
Shortlist Summary
In short:
During daily activities, look for the little things!
Similes and metaphors are around every corner and underneath every unturned stone. Use your senses.
Be consistent – something is better than nothing. Write daily, even if it’s one line or editing your work.
Read another poet or writer’s work (old or new)!
Remember something profound doesn’t have to happen for you to be a writer.
Find your own way! Make this process yours and stick to it.
