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The Importance of Inspiration by Megan Hart + Giveaway
Filed in Blogoversary , Giveaways , Guest Post , Megan Hart , The Geeky Lover Posted on January 19, 2011 @ 7:00 am
66 comments
Yes still no Book Lovers here but today Megan Hart will tell you about how she finds inspiration in music and she will also show you some examples. *g* Be sure to answer her question at the end for your chance to win a little surprise.
Writing can be hard work. I know it might not look like much — sitting at a computer or with a notebook, typing or scribbling away. Staring off into space. I don’t know about how other authors work, but with me, there’s a lot of staring off into space. All the hard work’s going on inside my brains, you see.
Which is why it’s really great and important to find inspiration. I don’t mean I need inspiration in order to write. Frankly, writing’s my job and if I waited for some “muse” to come along and motivate me, I’d never get anything written at all. I believe the same’s true for newbie writers and people who just write for fun, too. If you have to wait to be inspired before you write a single word, that word may be the only one you write.
No, I’m talking about how it’s important to find inspiration in everything around you, because writing isn’t a static thing. Writing isn’t just about getting the words into the document, it’s about creating a world and characters and a story, and all of that has to come from someplace. It all has to come from inspiration.
I get a lot of inspiration from music. I listen to music while I write and try to find songs that reflect what the story is about, or a feeling I want to create. I listen to music in the car while I’m thinking about plot. I listen while I’m cleaning, cooking, doing laundry…basically, music is a constant source of inspiration to me because every part of it can provide me with a story spark. Cool lyrics? Great beat? Sexy ballad? They’re all different parts of the stories I create, and listening to songs that provide those things helps me immensely.
Just recently, I got quite a lot of inspiration from THIS song (in the clean version, though honestly it was the dirty version that totally set the story wheels turning.)
…If you want to check out the uncensored version, find it here.
Other videos and songs that have completely inspired me to write scenes or even entire novels:
Other videos and songs that have completely inspired me to write scenes or even entire novels:
There’s a scene in Switch that happens in an elevator. Maybe two pages worth of material, but it was totally inspired by this song and this video.
I love Christopher Dallman’s songs, and this one has been on my playlists for a few different projects. Most recently, I listened to it while writing a book called The Life That Came Before.
And finally, this song just breaks my heart every time I listen to it. Therefore, I listen to it a lot. It gets me in the mood to write breakups and ache and loss, all those things I just love to write! (I know, I’m a sicko. Sorry!)
Music inspires me, which makes it possible for me to do what I do.
What inspires you? Comment here to win your choice of whatever I have on my shelf to send…I’ll contact the winner with the choices once I figure out what’s in the boxes I have stacked up!
M
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Giveaway
Megan is offering one surprise pack to 1 lucky commenter
You’re also getting an extra entry for the main giveaway if you entered our Big Blogoversary Giveaway here.
All you have to do is answer the question at the end of Megan’s post.
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on Friday February 4th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.
Good Luck!
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It may be kind of broad, but life in general inspires me. It can be music, it can be TV, it can be a good book, whatever. The number one thing would probably be my family, though. The hellish (and hellishly funny/amusing) antics of my family…
patronus89013 at yahoo dot com
Honestly, the one thing that always inspires me and has an impact on me is books. I've been a heavy duty reader since I was a little kid and that has never changed no matter what else is going on in my life.
jen at delux dot com
Travel has always inspired me. Seeing how other people live proves to me that there is no "one" way to live your life.
On my most recent trip to Italy I decided I would follow their example and embrace life. I decided to do things that always scared me.
The week I returned from Rome & Venice I registered to attend the RT Booklovers Convention. I've never gone on a trip before that was just for me. Yesterday I agreed to write my first (& last) guest post on a twitter friends blog. These things don't scare most people but it is HUGE for me. LOL
GeishasMom73 on twitter
loved that Meredith Brooks video! swoon. Music is definitely a big source of inspiration for me. It is a wonderful medium of expression. You have gotten my interest 🙂 Thanks.
sstogner1@triad.rr.com (entered in the big contest)
Music & Books! The two things that inspire are these! Both make you think and feel about so many things!
vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com
Marianna: yes, life! Life's the best inspiration!
JenM: books inspire me too. Sometimes it's because it's a bad book and I think "I can do better." Or sometimes it's a great book and I think "why bother?" LOL
Geisha's Mom: woo, travel! take advantage of that, and can't wait to meet you at RT!
Sharon: I know, right? LOVE that video.
Vickyvak: true, so true.
M
What inspires me the most is my family. I have been Brain tumor free for 11 years now and every day that goes by I am truly Thankful for. 9 years ago I was also hit by a drunk driver and that just inspires me more because life is a gift and it is meant to be treasured and I do just that. My kids make it much easier, they keep me going. I have so much to be Thankful for and it all inspires me in my life…
My sister has always inspired me. She lost her 18 yr battle with Breast Cancer last year. The strength and courage that she showed was a true testament to the amazing woman that she was.
cbandy10(at)hotmail(dot)com
My son inspires me to keep going. He has had a stroke, kidney failure, severe learning disablities and now inoperable tumors. He keeps going no matter what.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
My family inspires me to get up in the morning and do what needs to be done. Also, a good speech.
acm05atjuno.com
My family and friends are my inspiration and often the reason I keep going 🙂
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
What inspires me? Especially my dreams. I draw ideas from what I recently read, I think. But the bustle of the city does inspire me as well. I often walk alone in the streets and when I look around me, a lot of thing hit my mind =)
Thanks for the giveaway =)
mikki-mano @ hotmail . com
Music. Definitely music. At least, music helps me grab hold of an idea that may have been so elusive that I couldn't grab hold of it and anchor it. And sometimes I'll be writing and a song comes on my playlist that'll have a line that "fits" the story. It's then that I find bits & pieces in the story I may have overlooked. Being a rabid Duran Duran fan, I was listening to the new album while dealing with the WIP when I realized the lyrics of one of the songs *was* my story, written and performed beautifully as though just to give me a focus. Gave me goosebumps. My playlist shows 475 plays of that song! And my manuscript reflects it. I think music helps me tighten up my writing better than if I worked in silence.
I also like travel for inspiration. When I find a spot that I want to remember, I play music that fits the spot so when I am home I can "put myself back in the spot" that inspired me.
I have a archaeology blog and everyday when I post new news and discoveries I get inspired by all the archaeologist/scientist out there and it gives me hope that I can do it too!
I had some serious heart problems last year so just waking up and feeling fine inspires me. I always wake up happy.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
my dog inspires me, with her wild antics and adorable cuddles. I love waking up everyday to her next to me.
trancespiderx@gmail(dot)com
Music inspires me as well, but mostly my relationships and my faith inspire me the most.
pinkdaddysgirl[at]msn[dot]com
I'd go for books because reading what those fictional characters get up to makes me want to go out and do the same!
elizabeth_14@hotmail.co.uk
What inspires me is art, mainly photography and watercolors. When I see beautiful landscape photographs they help me get through the hard days.
Painting in watercolors really relaxes my really stressful moments.
terilhack at gmail dot com
What inspires me is birds. I just love the sounds and the way birds act and look. It is very relaxing to sit out back and watch the birdfeeder.
kasuranna at yahoo dot com
Music and books inspire me because I am able to relate to the themes. I love finding books and music that remind me of my own life and how others are dealing with the same situations.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
For personal life. Books actually often inspire me 🙂 And little things. I might see something and suddenly think I could do something with it.
At work it's trying to break things 🙂 I'm a test engineer and love finding the loopholes that let me break the system I'm testing
Paintings inspire me. Beautiful or haunting, I'm always in awe and left wanting to create something.
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I am inspired by lots of things. Music is a big one though. Also, books inspire me.
iqb99@yahoo.com
Books and the great outdoors inspire me.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
What inspires me? My grandkids, religion, books, people who do charity/volunteer work, veterans (esp. from WWII,) my parents, friends, Beatles music. Thanks for a thought-provoking column. (Email in profile.)
Music, a book, color, landscape, animals, a feeling, a texture, a shaft of light. All these things can inspire me. I guess it just depends on what I want to paint or draw.
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
Sometimes it's a song or a book or a snippet from the news, many times it's my 7 year old son, coming up with amazing and often funny ways of seeing the miraculous in the ordinary.
I love it when I come across a great song that just speaks to me and makes me want to listen over and over. I get inspiration from doing a great job at work, from reading a wonderful story, from listening to my son make jokes, and from seeing a beautiful picture.
Good prose/description inspires me (I'm an artist, not a writer). If I get a fully formed image in my head from the author's words I often have to get it on paper.
thanks! jason [at] jasonkivela.com
all these great inspirations! Thank you so much, everyone, for commenting. I'm so happy to see all the inspiration in the world. 🙂
M
What inspires me ? Books or Music has always inspired me. I can't name any there are too many to name.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
I agree with music. But even the musicians have to be inspired to write what in turn can inspire us. So I think it really all goes back to real life as the basis for most inspiration.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I think that as with most people there are many things that can inspire me. A well written book, a travelogue, a fantastic picture, classical music, a talk by a interesting speaker. Soooo many things.
Maybe I can condense it and say that mainly it is curiosity that inspires me !
Thanks for the giveaway.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
Music and books inspire me. Please enter me in contest. I would love to win this book. Tore923@aol.com
music is a very important part of my life too, one single song can change my mood from happy to sad and vice versa… some of my best painting I made with my favorite music in the background and after a stressful day I turn up the music and relax – so you can see I can't live without it 🙂
greetings, Ina
This can sound a little clichê, but people are my inspiration. Some of them are so equal in some aspects, but so different in others, and that makes so fun to write and draw about them.
sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br
What inspires me? A walk outside to listen to the birds and work in the garden. Music, art, a good book and the love of family and friends.
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
What inspires me is a beautiful day…mainly clear blue skies…a few puffy white clouds…the sun shining…and nice warm weather…like 75ish. I am totally a solar powered individual.
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
I think books inspire me most but life just as it is as well. Only by looking outside or sitting in busy cafe there are so many inspirations!
claudigc at msn dot com
Music always inspires me – I get so pumped up when I'm listening to certain bands like Five Finger Death Punch or Shinedown.
smaccall @ comcast.net
anything really. The one thing I will always remmeber is The Return of the king, when they lit those fires, I just stared and wanted to go and write some fantasy 🙂
blodeuedd1 at gmail dot com
Reading blog posts inspire me. When I read book reviews, I get inspired to try harder when writing my reviews. When I read my favourite cross stitching blogs, I get inspired to take up my stitching again and put in a few stitches. I love the online community 🙂
Chrizette
baychriz at gmail dot com
My daughters words and her strength inspires me. I remember these things when I am in need.
thanks
Dina
dlsmilad@yahoo.com
My brother inspires me the most. He's the one who is strong and is like a rock in a storm when I need something to hold onto.
You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com
My kids inspire me. They are wonderful and always willing to be helpful.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
Beck then, my mom's comfort and inspires me. but now I need both inspiration from my mom and my fiancee. They have a great deal in my life now. Music? not working for me. Instead, I can't focus if i listen to music!
darlyn225 at gmail dot com
I think music expires me too. I really enjoy listening to music while I work on various projects, and I listen to a lot of pop in various languages – English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. "What Would Happen If We Kiss" is one of my favorite songs – it's so sensual. Another really good one is "Insatiable" by Darren Hayes. And thank you for the Enrique Iglesias song! Looks like I found another one of his I really like.
Oops…also forgot to leave my main e-mail.
abbydillon16 AT yahoo DOT com
Thanks very much for the giveaway!
Life in general is so interesting and dynamic that it is inspiring. After all, if we're not alive, we wouldn't need inspiration. It could be the music I'm listening to, the book I've been reading, or even the people I see in the store. Life's like that.
ironss[at]gmail.com
I mostly get inspired to cook, so I'm inspired by things I see on TV, hear other people on the bus talking about, recipes I read in books or online, looking in my pantry… Sometimes I'll just wonder if two foods taste good together and make up something to find out 🙂
Kate1485 at hotmail.com
I find inspiration from the stories I read, my family, and a great song.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
My inspiration comes from the amazing, weird, insane, and beautiful things that happen to me and people around me in real life. After all, isn't real life what inspires all forms of art?
Thanks for the giveaway!
drakeLa90 at aol dot com
What inspires you?
My 2 daughters inspire me everyday!
cmurphy213@yahoo.com
My family and books, music are my inspiration.
Thanks for the giveaway!
artgiote@gmail.com
My niece inspires me
natalie23[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
My parents inspire me.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
oh. that's hard to narrow down – it's usually those little things – a song, a photo, something i read, a smell, sometimes even an overheard conversation from the people sitting behind you. all that stuff can trigger something & inspire me – the good and the bad inspirations. lol.
thanks for the guest post. your break-up writing song sounds rather great. it totally fits my current musical mood.
hrududu AT hotmail DOT de
Good books, tv shows, movies, and music inspire me. My friends and family also inspire me.
angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com
Really, my hubs inspires me. He believes in me. He makes me think that I can do anything I set my mind to, if I'm just willing to try. I do so love that man!
loveletters.books@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing Megan..
Q: who is your celebrity crush?
Kelly M
crazybookfairy@gmail.com
I will have to say music, I don't think I could live without it. I love to sing and write music and there's so much emotion.
forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)
There are many thing that can inspire me.
From book, music, rain, the one that I love, great pictures of water and trees. I have a lot
aleetha.ally at gmail dot com
twitter: @aleetha
I feel inspired by nature most often. Nothing like the great outdoors. Another big factor is emotion.
k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk
Reading inspires new ideas and thoughts of what to do next. Music gets me moving and wakes me up in the morning.
linze_e at hotmail.com
Music, especially classical music.
spav05(at)gmail(dot)com