Somebody at one of these places asked me: "What do you do? How do you write, create?" You don't, I told them. You don't try... You wait, and if nothing happens, you wait some more. It's like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you.
―Charles Bukowski
As a creative artist, I try to remind myself that good living and paying attention are the best preparation for Inspiration. Nothing comes by straining for feeling.
We must try to do our part and concede that the rest of the creative process is simply not within our hands...
Of course, in my case, I recognize that not all work is equal. For the kind of writing -with deadline and paycheck- one cannot afford to indulge in the waiting prescribed by Bukowski (and it's a treat to have sounding boards to bounce ideas off :)
We could also try to keep ourselves busy with secondary work: revision, translation, etc... But, I politely maintain that inspired creative work cannot be summoned at will.
For writing that is necessary -in the sense of essential, and from the very marrow of our Being - there never is a rush. Such truths are almost like living things that, if forced out as they're forming, will be deformed or, worse, still-born.
I think our (life) Work is striving to be in a state of constant preparation. Something of this notion that a writer is never on vacation, always stock-piling impressions, making connections, or practicing the fine art of (apparently) doing nothing ... reflecting.
Then, when full, they spill over onto paper. Yes, one can also trip into it by accident, discovering through writing they have more to say then they thought they did when they sat down. Even after thirty years of writing, and 9 books published, I maintain that the creative process remains something of a mystery that, to me at any rate, always seems nothing short of miraculous...
Interesting. I think every writer's process is slightly different. Sometimes inspiration strikes, but sometimes, daily diligence can lead to amazing things.
I agree with all of the above :)
Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working... -Picasso
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