When writing, you never know when inspiration may strike. Sometimes the spark of an idea can come while idly thinking in the shower, listening to a song, or reading your social media feed. For my first story, that inspiration came from a dream I just couldn’t shake. I remember waking up and thinking how vivid and terrifying it was. It wasn’t until months later I took that memory and turned it into the prologue for Lost Immortal. From there, I just kept writing. It was such a surprise to feel the words just come. There were moments of writers block, and often I’d take a break until I found my voice again, and thankfully I did.

With my second book, which is currently in progress, I’m finding the process a bit different. There was no one moment or thought that hit me and started my tale. I just started writing. This time though, the inspiration comes in unexpected bursts. An idea hits me in the groggy hours of the morning when I’m between that state of awake and asleep. The answer to what to do next comes while I’m walking to my closet. At first, I tried to just work from memory, and most times, it’s fine. Other times, not so much. The ideas come out muddled and not as clear. So I’ve learned to write them down wherever they come. Some are on my phone or iPad, but others are messily scrolled on whatever paper was closest to me at the time. And that’s the thing with inspiration, it can be fast and fleeting. Don’t let it come and go without acting. I know this second book would be a lot less exciting if my thoughts were just pieced together from what I can remember from driving to the bank when that idea flew by.

So enjoy these quotes that help convey the way I feel about my creative process and always carry a pen, crayon, or something electronic to capture your idea!

 

“You never have to change anything you got up in the middle of the night to write.” – Saul Bellow

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” – Albert Einstein

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius

“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” – Maya Angelou

And don’t forget:

“Be so good they can’t ignore you.” – Steve Martin