tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post6514934430770005810..comments2023-10-03T11:41:21.191+01:00Comments on The Truth About Lies: Inspiration is a good ideaJim Murdochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-81310414947910131442009-05-16T04:23:00.000+01:002009-05-16T04:23:00.000+01:00Don't worry about being late, Anne, it's always go...Don't worry about being late, <B>Anne</B>, it's always good when someone gets something out of my posts. I wish all my posts were as effective as this one but this was a subject that really caught my interest and I put quite a bit of effort into it. It was very important for me to demystify the whole subject of inspiration.<br /><br />I had a look at your site. Very polished. Very professional. And thanks for adding me to your links. All new readers gratefully received.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-68238758457843574832009-05-15T13:55:00.000+01:002009-05-15T13:55:00.000+01:00Great post and comments! I am coming to the discus...Great post and comments! I am coming to the discussion months later, but what a great post with interesting comments.<br /><br />First, let me say that your way of writing is inherently creative--beginning with a notion and chasing it through your own experiences then to the words of other thinkers on through soul searching and and finally to the point of uncertainty (negative capability). You take readers on that journey with you--what all great writing should do, I think.<br /><br />I am especially interested in this post because, as a poet, writer and speaker, I umbrella my efforts under the moniker InSpiritry, a self-coined trademark that sprung from the linguistic history and inference you talked about. For me, it was also informed by having overcome a history of severe asthma ("breathe") and my desire to "rekindle" and "inspire" a creative approach to life: curiosity, courage, inventiveness, open mindedness, spiritual sensibility, etc.<br /><br />Rumi said (Coleman Barks translator): "There are 100 ways to kneel and kiss the ground." I live by that sentiment!<br /><br />See my website, InSpiritry.com, where I work to Put Words to Work for the Greater Good and a Greater God. <br /><br />I'll add you to my links!Thanks for rekindling my spirit!Anne McCradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01897313735629409351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-37153925334706819012009-01-14T19:27:00.000+00:002009-01-14T19:27:00.000+00:00Yes, that's about me, Bobby. I used to spend month...Yes, that's about me, <B>Bobby</B>. I used to spend months on poems adding in the proverbial comma and taking it back out again. I mean is there any real difference between 'wait a second' and 'wait a moment'? Not in the grand scheme of things.<BR/><BR/>I think it's important to distinguish between an inability to write and an inability to write something specific. There is a difference.<BR/><BR/><B>Susan</B>, glad to see you've set an attainable goal for yourself. I've never been able to write a set amount like that. I work in spurts but I edit in between. And it's also good you're keeping up with your blogging duties too.<BR/><BR/>As for cats, my mother took in strays and no sooner did one die then another found its way to her door. And they were all very different. Tom was an old battler with one ear that bent down and a tongue that stuck out most of the time. He used to vanish for days on end. I once followed him and he went for miles till we got to a pond at which point he lost me – he swam right through the middle of it! Tigger, on the other hand, never left the garden all his life. One day the bin men came and all I saw was this blur heading for the tool shed and there he was, bum up in the air, shivering in the corner. Seriously, the scarediest cat in the world. Tom, on the other hand, would chase dogs out of our garden. In my old age I'm afraid I've become allergic to them but it never stops me petting one any time I can get near one.<BR/><BR/>I can't say I've ever had anyone offer me an idea, <B>Conda</B>, but at the same time I've never been overrun with them either. I think I'm probably just a bit selective about what I write especially when it comes to a big project like a novel which I know is going to take me years. Glad you liked the poem. That was one of those times when everything worked perfectly there and then. I read Jasko's article, opened <I>Word</I>, wrote the poem, tidied up the line structure, changed a couple of words and that was me done – a half hour, tops.<BR/><BR/>And, <B>Jennifer</B>, yes, that would have annoyed me too. And yet when I was a teenager I used to believe that inspiration was something that descended upon me and that I had the use of it for only a certain time and so I'd write as fast as I could and never edit once I was no longer 'possessed' which is one reason why all my early poems are crap. Of course there are times when all your ducks are in a row – the poem in the post is one of those instances – but let's not make more of it than we should; it was a fortunate happenstance. Sometimes you trip over a good idea, other times you have to manoeuvre yourself into the right place (and I mean 'place' in the broadest sense). I think of it as the difference between natural pearls and cultured.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-58255961037326424102009-01-14T15:32:00.000+00:002009-01-14T15:32:00.000+00:00When dropping cards recently, I came across a writ...When dropping cards recently, I came across a writer's blog entry on the same subject. Totally different take -- kind of "when I can be my true self, in the quiet spaces between moments, I find inspiration." (or something like that). I found it very annoying, like being inspired is some sort of precious state requiring spiritual oneness with the world.<BR/><BR/>I prefer your version.jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07959874504681715396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-28442615243600841132009-01-14T11:39:00.000+00:002009-01-14T11:39:00.000+00:00That's a good point Conda. It's not lack of ideas ...That's a good point Conda. It's not lack of ideas that stalls me - it's all the ideas falling over themselves, tripping each other up on their way out!Rachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803852725693518924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-57648349372499407072009-01-14T01:27:00.000+00:002009-01-14T01:27:00.000+00:00Non-creative-types often approach me and say, "I'v...Non-creative-types often approach me and say, "I've got a great idea for you to write. Or maybe it's not great, but it's an idea." They seem to think writers are in danger of running out. Quite the opposite is of course true, I know would-be-writers who say, "I'd write more, but I have so many ideas and I have more all the time and I have trouble choosing."<BR/><BR/>Another great post, Jim, and I too enjoyed the poem.Conda Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972790965426924941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-51500304762953675272009-01-13T21:46:00.000+00:002009-01-13T21:46:00.000+00:00You have my thoughts going in a thousand direction...You have my thoughts going in a thousand directions, but I will rein in only two here. First, your little story about the uninspired bus driver is priceless! And quite inspiring. Just yesterday I began writing a minimum of 500 words each morning in an attempt to get the juices flowing. Hopefully this will last longer than my other great plans have. Speaking of which, I have been attentive to my blog and my subscription feeds all year (ok...13 days). I am quite proud of myself and I have you to thank for it. It's one thing to know that you care about other people's thoughts and quite another to tell them so.<BR/><BR/>Secondly, if I didn't already like you, I would have fallen head over heels for you after reading about your affection for cats. I'm telling you...there's more to them than meets the eye.<BR/><BR/>Now back to real life. The blankety-blank job hunt. #%#^*^%$&^!SUSAN SONNENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17348324221180443517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-65533834164189221222009-01-13T19:24:00.000+00:002009-01-13T19:24:00.000+00:00If I had to guess I'd say you are a perfectionist ...If I had to guess I'd say you are a perfectionist who has gotten over his own desire to write perfectly--but I could be wrong (I often am).<BR/><BR/>I get stuck too, but it's because I'm a perfectionist or have become so aware of the way I write, I demand freshness. I just work on another project if one is stalled for whatever self-imposed block. You are someone I believe has probably thought about all this so much, it would be difficult for me to incite an original response LOL!<BR/><BR/>I didn't mean to imply that I had magical powers who never suffered a block--if I did--but like you said, I'm always writing in my head. I wish you luck in getting published by a major publisher. I'm just a novice trying to finish his first book. I've been writing it for well over 3 years:)Bobby Revellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05225540511858755945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-35135131233008872422009-01-13T19:06:00.000+00:002009-01-13T19:06:00.000+00:00Belief can be a powerful thing, Frances, but belie...Belief can be a powerful thing, <B>Frances</B>, but beliefs don't need to be true to have force. Some authors believe that they can only work when a specific set of criteria has been met. I'm not the slightest bit superstitious but I accept that some people are. I <I>believe</I> that the notion of inspiration as being something external to an author is silly. I only have my own experiences to base that judgement on so I could say that is true in my case but it might not be; I might be tapping into some external force and be unaware of it but I'd need some convincing.<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure, <B>Jena</B>, that inspiration is always a positive thing for me. I draw more from, if we're going with Frances's analogy, my dark side. The best work I've done has come from time when I was in some kind of emotional turmoil. There are very few happy poems in my canon and the few that are there are not my best work. I have an uncanny ability to see the sad side of anything and when that facilty comes in contact with the right external stimulus then that'll spark off a good idea. <BR/><BR/>Yes, <B>Ken</B>, procrastination, the curse of the writer, far more pernicious than any writer's block. I'm not exempt from that one I'm afraid. As for delusions, I'm pretty well out of them. The few I did have got all used up by my twenties.<BR/><BR/>And, <B>Bobby</B>, I have suffered from blocks in the past but I would suggest that they're mislabelled as writer's block because I can always write just not always about what I want to write about. I'm a great believer in not forcing myself to work on a piece if I can avoid it. That is to say work on paper - I never stop writing in my head, testing out lines and ideas. Even the best of writers get stuck. I read an interview with the prolific Joyce Carol Oates and even she gets stuck but all she does it puts the piece that's not working aside and work on something else. And I'm the same. I hardly did any meaningful work on my current novel last year because I kept writing poetry. Who cares? As long as I'm writing I'm not bothered. It's not as if I've an agent calling me up every week looking for a progress report.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-10825093323523262982009-01-13T18:32:00.000+00:002009-01-13T18:32:00.000+00:00I've never understood the word "inspiration" refer...I've never understood the word "inspiration" referencing not having it, what it is, how to get it and so forth. I'm a musician and throughout my life I've heard other musicians say they hit a dry spell, dead end or mind block--incapable of creating thought or ideas at a particular time. I've always thought, how can that be? With the endless possibilities and variations at hand, it should be impossible to not be inspired.<BR/><BR/>I've read things etc. and felt a need to write something because of it, but is that really inspiration or simply being naturally coaxed? Is there a difference? I often start writing without thinking (so to speak) and it seems to write itself. Much like jazz improvisation. While moments of pure improvisation can occur for an advanced musician, most "improvisation" is not pure--it's rearrangement of things already known while moments of pure improvisation occur naturally. To me, improvising or striving for that supreme state (subconsciously) becomes natural--inspiration becomes impossible to turn off. Writing to me is more about sculpting away unessentials than creation--to focus endless ideas into art (though many writers wouldn't consider my horrific vision to be artistic).<BR/><BR/>The lack of inspiration is to me a myth, much like the highly popular "law of attraction" or "karma". If karma were valid, the world would be a harmonious utopia--but I digress.<BR/><BR/>Great post Jim:)Bobby Revellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05225540511858755945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-27502509070993816762009-01-13T13:52:00.000+00:002009-01-13T13:52:00.000+00:00I think many people in the world fancy themselves ...I think many people in the world fancy themselves as writers. In much the same way as they fancy themselves to be skillful lovers or adept footballers. In order to maintain this illusion, they develop quite sophisticated excuses, "I can't do keepie-up today 'cos I hurt my back while being a super-lover last night" (or vice versa). <BR/><BR/>Perhaps we few who actually *do* write a little are the ones who are worst at making up excuses or just at making them sound convincing.Ken Armstronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07775956557261111127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-4681252245505041492009-01-13T12:40:00.000+00:002009-01-13T12:40:00.000+00:00Jim, very thoroughly discussed and informative. Fo...Jim, very thoroughly discussed and informative. For me as long as it gives me a positive feeling, then it inspires me.Jena Islehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609925272840089993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-61837829441778466762009-01-13T10:48:00.000+00:002009-01-13T10:48:00.000+00:00I know you said you hate inspiration=mystical forc...I know you said you hate inspiration=mystical force idea but all the synonyms that you posed were about increases in energy. A thunderstorm is a massive increase in natural energy - maybe we all need to tap into the force - man!Franceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12455584448055432913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-58450381218837943162009-01-13T04:59:00.000+00:002009-01-13T04:59:00.000+00:00And you never know, Jasko, someone may well read m...And you never know, <B>Jasko</B>, someone may well read my poem and be inspired to write thir own piece. Inspiration does seem to breed inspiration. It's something my wife says, that whenever she reads anything by Jeanette Winterson she feels the need to write herself welling up in her.<BR/><BR/><B>Sorlil</B>, it would never do if we all went about things the same way. I read some quite diverse blogs purely to look at other people's thought processes. It's not that I want to change how I think but it's nice to be able to broaden ones thinking. That's partly why I write about things I'm not too <I>au fait</I> with, to get other people's slants. That's why I'm glad Art hangs around my site (and I his) because we clearly come at life from very different angles and yet we also have so much common ground.<BR/><BR/>I understand your perspective on inspiration too. It's like my dad's hat. It sits on top of a bookcase in my office and has done since his death. I must have looked at it hundreds of times since then and yet one day I looked at it and I got a poem out of it. <BR/><BR/>I think what we do in our heads is assemble bits and bobs, a nut here, a screw there but only when we have gathered enough can be assemble a simple 'machine' out of those ideas, which is how you will remember William Carlos Williams talked about a poem.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad that you liked the poem by the way. I've just completed another post where I deconstruct the piece a bit. Not sure when I'll post it but I hope you like it.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-91973134852748396762009-01-13T00:05:00.000+00:002009-01-13T00:05:00.000+00:00I also meant to say I really like your poem.I also meant to say I really like your poem.Marion McCreadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657757253873577465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-89016783772359051542009-01-12T22:48:00.000+00:002009-01-12T22:48:00.000+00:00What a great post, Jim. I like your method of inve...What a great post, Jim. I like your method of investigation - you approach ideas in a different way from how I think about them and I enjoy trying to jump into your mindset. <BR/><BR/>One way I think about inspiration is as a bit of a mixture between the physical heightening of the senses and the unconscious breaking through to the conscious. <BR/>It's this, I think, that gives rise to the mystical side of the muse etc.<BR/><BR/>Every writer is different, without the initial spark of inspiration I'm unable to just sit down and write.Marion McCreadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657757253873577465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-35110299935183943422009-01-12T12:53:00.000+00:002009-01-12T12:53:00.000+00:00Jim, now I must confess what inspired me to write ...Jim, now I must confess what inspired me to write those lines. It was a Terry Eagleton’s note saying that we all are living under the constant threat of nuclear disaster. He wrote this maybe 20 years ago but for me, this observation is not losing any of its actuality – considering the state of our world today – where we have the rise of ultra-religious and fundamentalist streams, and where many of unstable and undemocratic states are in the possession of nuclear weapons. Eagleton also said, referring to some Freudian premises, that this threat is going everywhere with us, and that, even unconsciously, we are always aware of it somehow. This all brings to the point that there is no person who is excluded from this. Great post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com