By Kathleen Moulton
Some writers are inspired by watching people. Others are inspired within their own imagination (where Sci-Fi just has to come from!) Still others draw inspiration from uncovering information in other times and places. And only hearing a word can spark a title and an idea for a novel.
Me? I am inspired by nature. No, I am exhilarated!
Recently, I was talking to my son, who is a Border Patrol Agent in Texas. I was telling him I woke up that morning hearing a cardinal.
“You heard it?”
He thought it was strange that I would know what a cardinal sounded like.
I had been trying to bring cardinals to the feeder for a few years. When I heard it, I bounded out of bed, grabbed my camera, and peered out the window. I’ve also been known to slip on a pair of boots donning only a cami and sweatpants, and crunch along the snowy yard to capture frozen, crystal droplets hanging on branches. I can’t help it. The sun makes them so beautiful!
Yup, that’s how much I love nature. I’m just wired that way.
I often use the beauty (and the not-so-pretty) outdoors to connect with a point I make in my writing. The visual touches me so deeply and it pushes the words I have inside out on paper.
What inspires you? Soak in it. Allow it to take you places you thought you could never go. Something is resonating inside you and you may not even be aware of it. We’re so busy with our heads down and focused on accomplishing our goals that if we’re not careful, we can miss our uniqueness that will make writing easy. Everyone is different. We can learn from each other but sometimes we learn too much and find that we are trying to imitate what works for someone else.
We’re all inspired by nature to a certain degree, but don’t necessarily think my inspiration will be yours. What is in you will find its way out. It’s quite a natural process that will suddenly occur to you.
Discover yourself!
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Kathleen Moulton is a freelance writer and nature lover. She is married, has 8 children, ages 10-28, and has been homeschooling for 25 years. You can find her passion to bring encouragement and hope to people of all ages at http://kathleenmoulton.com/
22 comments:
Kathleen,
great post -simple yet so very effective. Well done!
Hi, Kathy,
Great post. Very vivid images....I could just picture you out in the yard in your sweatpants, cami, and boots tracking down some beautiful little creature.
I think people inspire me to write. Also, sounds and smells and even foods. I tend to make note of different smells, foods, and interesting looking people I see in coffeeshops, out at the park, etc. and all these things seem to find their way into my stories.
Happy writing!
Of course one would go crunching out into the snow for beauty! Congratulations on the cardinal.
You've inspired me to go for a walk. Maybe some writing will follow now that I've returned home.
Great inspiring post! So vivid with the imaginary! Love it!
Good post Kathleen. I'm inspired by nature too, and of course each observation of the world around you will be unique, infused by your own personal perspective coupled with the conflicts your characters are dealing with.
Thank-you J.R. I like to keep it simple. Our worlds are too cluttered!
Kathy
Thank-you, Suzanne, for your sharing your thoughts with me!
Kathy
Thanks so much, widdershins, for taking the time to stop by and read!
Kathy
Janice, I hope you had some fresh thoughts for writing. I'm glad you were inspired!
Kathy
Romance Book Haven, thanks for loving my article!
Kathy
Magdalena, thank-you for taking time to share your thoughts with me. : )
Kathy
What a great post, love hearing what inspires other writers. Good to have you here.
Great post. I too am inspired by nature
I tend to be more auditory than visual. I find that I use music to punctuate my poems
I seem to be inspired by nature, my grandchildren, and music. Not sure if there's a specific order, it just depends on what's up.
I love birdsong and stars and the hens, always so busy and self-important. Sadly I have more than a few days when I'm almost too busy to notice. Not good, I know. Thanks for the timely reminder,
Thank-you for welcoming me!
Kathy
What's not to love, right?
Thanks, Mary Jo!
Kathy
That is so interesting. I'm going to check out your poems!
Kathy
Thanks for your comment, Karen!
Kathy
Annie, I'm glad you're reminded. Hope you find time soon!
Kathy
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