Cultivating Inspiration

It’s easy for artists to neglect giving themselves time to be bored. We pour so much attention into finishing one project so that we can move onto the next that we rarely take a moment to breathe between, ruminate, and dream. Yet, it’s in our boredom, in the stillness, and the time apart from our current work in progress where we gain so much. It’s where we find refreshment for our creativity and look to the world around us for inspiration.

Many of us wonder why we are burnt out as begin to work on future projects or when we feel stuck in current ones. Maybe you find yourself at a point where you are lacking the motivation and passion that drove you to create in the first place. There can be a few reasons why we creators often find ourselves at this roadblock. However, I think one of the main reasons is that many of us haven’t implemented habits into our daily lives that help us cultivate inspiration. We zone in on one particular project, chipping away at it piece-by-piece, forgetting that in order for this mess to become a masterpiece, it needs to be fuelled by passion and fresh ideas.

Throughout my creative journey, I’ve come to recognize how important it is to take time away from the blank page and let my mind wander. I take a step back from the keyboard, let my thoughts settle and my creative muscles relax, and tune in to the world that is changing quickly around me. I’ve found that this has been the best medicine for my projects. Sometimes it means going for many long walks. It might mean taking time to read or watch some movies that I love. Mostly, it looks like redeeming my time that would otherwise be wasted by marrying my desire to gain inspiration with mundane tasks.

I love learning how other writers and artists find inspiration for their art. I love hearing the origin story of my favourite novels or songs. Lately, I’ve been marvelling at the ways that I have been able to cultivate the inspiration and motivation needed for me to continue writing my stories - both my novels and this blog. As I share some of my methods with you, I hope that you will find some of these tips useful in your creative journey!

1. Go Explore & Sweat

Most people, authors, in particular, may not be thrilled to find that working out is the primary way that I have been able to find inspiration for projects. Many of us neglect exercise for multiple reasons. However, for me, implementing some kind of physical activity into my daily routine has not only improved my mental and physical health (both of which are necessary for the creative person), but has drastically transformed my creativity. For me, going for long walks outside or on the treadmill is how I come up with fresh ideas for my writing.

There is something so simple in the motion of walking, especially if it is a familiar route, that it allows your mind to wander to places you may not imagine. Years ago, when I was writing my first novel, The Winds of Destiny, walking through the backyards of my old neighbourhood was where I found so many ideas for that book. It sounds strange, but I would often act out the scenes that sparked in my mind as I walked beneath a canopy of trees. Now, as a self-conscious adult, I mutter the dialogue between two of my characters beneath my breath as I walk down busier streets. I’ll jot down notes and sometimes entire scenes on my phone as I’m walking. Truly, some of my best writing for my current project can be found on my phone. The treadmill is also where many of my best ideas are born. My machine faces a wall of storage units filled with boxes and tools that I don’t use often. Yet, as I pop my headphones in and walk or run at a steady pace, I find myself transported into the realm of my story. The kinks of my novels are often worked out as I stare at those boxes and move my stiff muscles.

2. There is Nothing That a Good Spotify Playlist Can’t Fix

This leads to the next way that I find inspiration: music. My walks and workouts are very rarely unaccompanied by some kind of soundtrack. If I’m exercising for the sake of daydreaming about my story, I will put on a playlist I have curated for that specific project. Every book or story I write has its own playlist, filled with songs that remind me of different aspects of the narrative, that I write along to or listen to sporadically throughout the day. Music has the power to capture memory, emotion, and truth all at once. There is something about a song, whether it has words or not, that can so perfectly embody the heart of a story that just unlocks a chest full of inspiration for me. It excites me like nothing else. It brings me a joy that fuels my need to pour my story out on the page. There have been entire scenes in my novels that have been written to a particular song. Many of the characters that I have dreamt up for my current novel were born from a collection of songs on my writing playlist. In fact, my idea for this current project was entirely inspired by the song “Mhysa” by Ramin Djawadi from Game of Thrones.

Music is one of the key ways that I find and renew my inspiration. Often, on days when I know that I will be writing when I get home from work, I will just listen to my writing playlist on my commute. I’ll let my mind connect lyrics and notes to characters or scenes as I drive. This not only gets me into the headspace needed to write my story, but it also fills me with the motivation I need to work on it. Sometimes, if I’m especially stuck in a story or if I simply want to let myself fall into its depths, I’ll take a nap, falling asleep listening to these songs that inspire and transport me. Honestly, even the process of building these playlists motivates me to write and keep writing, even on difficult days, until my story is alive.

3. Fill Your Feed & Surround Yourself with Other Creators

There are days when I will begin a writing session by watching YouTubers sharing their writing process and journey. Sometimes this will happen right before I sit down to work on my own story, or while I’m working out, or as I’m getting ready for the day. I intentionally follow other people on social media who are on a creative journey, just as I am. These followers may not be writing novels, but their creativity is valuable to them and their passion for their art is intoxicating. Social Media can be a difficult space for an artist to be part of. We love to compare our success (or lack thereof) to those we follow online. However, this space can also be so fruitful for our creativity as we watch artists who inspire us sharing their work and inspiring others through their art. YouTube has been the main space where I have found so much motivation to keep writing these days. There is an entire community of writers on that platform who share their entire writing and publishing journey with the world. As I’ve watched other writers get agents or have their novels published, it fills me with hope that, one day, I might get to that place where I can finally share my stories. Each video leaves me so much more motivated and passionate about my own writing. Many of these writers also give good advice and new tips on how to better my craft, which is always so helpful. There is a lot we can learn from each other. We can see that so clearly once we eliminate our need for comparison by believing that it’s okay for our journey not to look like someone else’s.

Another aspect of social media that can be a really fruitful tool for your art is that it allows you to network with other artists. This year, I’ve realized how vital it is for me to surround myself with other creative people, whether they make the same form of art as me or not. I do think it is important to have friends in your sphere who are walking along the same creative track as you. I need to have other authors and writers in my life who I can learn from, who can critique my work and can help me navigate the nuances of this specific journey. Unfortunately, right now, I don’t have many authors or writers in my circle…but I have an abundance of musicians! Although their creative journey is not the same as mine, I have been so inspired and have learned much from my friends and/or followers who make music. There have been many conversations I’ve had with my brother, who is a rapper, and others in his circle that have left me more motivated to make my writing seriously - to chase the dream ferociously with wisdom and patience. The long walks I’ve had with my best friend, who is a talented songwriter and singer, have inspired this entire blog! Many of the topics I choose to write about grew out of the conversations I had with her about our unique relationship to our art, creativity, and faith as women. There are discussions I have had with friends from my undergraduate program who are writers and visual artists that have constantly inspired me with new ideas. There are aspects of my life - and of the way I’m wired - that only other creative people will understand. There is a common ground between every artist that provides the connection and accountability that we all need to persevere in our creative endeavours.

Honestly, one of the most inspiring aspects about following or befriending other creative people is watching them succeed. There is an unexplainable fullness that swells in my chest as I watch friends, past peers, and other artists whom I follow reach certain milestones in their creative journey. Watching other creators live out their dream, producing beautiful art, and witnessing others be encouraged (or even transformed) by what they have created has been so key in motivating me to press on in my creative journey. It has not held me back but inspired me to really give my all to the things that I have felt called to do. Most of all, it has encouraged me to revisit my goal as a creative person. For me, that goal is not to become famous, to have a massive platform or presence on the internet. My goal as a writer is to create stories that mean something. It is to encourage and inspire others with my words. It’s to glorify the Creator-God who designed me with this gift for a specific purpose. Much of this goal would not have been discovered were it not for the community of people I have walking alongside me, especially my creative friends and peers.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Sit Back, Read, and Watch Netflix

As a writer, one of the main pieces of advice I have come across from other authors is that reading a lot is a key step in improving your writing. And it’s absolutely true. I’d say it’s advice that any artist should take into account. Reading books, observing what other authors have done right and wrong, and simply enjoying these stories has pressed kernels of ideas into my mind and inspired me to continue creating. It was after I read Harry Potter and The Hunger Games for the first time when I was thirteen years old that I felt inspired to write my own novels. These books (and a few more!) have drastically shaped the stories that I choose to tell now, as well as my writing style. As an author, reading novels that are of the same genre or contain character dynamics and story elements that are similar to my own narrative has helped me break through the brambles of my own story and improve the broken aspects of it.

This can also be true for taking time to watch movies and tv shows. Despite what many might say, I truly believe that film can be a rich soil for inspiration to bloom. My writing has not only been encouraged or shaped by books I’ve read, but by the movies, shows, and music that I have consumed over the years. Some of my biggest struggles with my story have been overcome by observing the way a certain filmmaker portrayed a character or structured the story. Sometimes, my frustrations with movies that were disappointing motivate me to write something of the same vein but attempt to do it better.

All of this is not only true for writers, but for other artists as well. A friend of mine has created stunning artwork after being inspired by the Studio Ghibli films (@abbiegetscreative). I can’t tell you how many times I have heard musicians, particularly hip-hop artists, reference different shows or movies in their songs (Fun fact: Juice WRLD has several references to Avatar: The Last Airbender in some of his albums. Post Malone referenced The Office in "Candy Paint." The band, The Oh Hellos, created two albums inspired by books by C.S Lewis. Kendrick Lamar wrote an entire album in companionship with the Black Panther movie. Shall I go on?).

There is no doubt that the stories we find in books and film have inspired the art of many well-known artists. So many ideas can grow from looking at what other people have already done and making it your own. Most importantly, I think that consuming other art fuels us as creative people. As we encounter someone else’s finished product, it motivates us and emboldens us to press on until our art is complete. It encourages us to share our work with others, to inspire, encourage, and impact people in a meaningful and creative way. For myself, reading books grows my desire for the day when I will have novels of my own that people can pull off the shelf at their local bookstore, read, cherish, and even create something of their own in response to it.

5. Quality Time with God & His People

This step might seem odd to some people, but, for me, my faith is so central to my creativity that I need to be constantly returning to my source to find inspiration. Spending quality time with God daily, engaging in my local church, and learning alongside other believers has all helped me grow in my creativity so much more. I’ve gained many new ideas for themes that I want to implement or challenge in my own stories based on conversations with those in my local church. I’ve been encouraged by so many people within that same church who have read my work or who simply enjoy watching me - a young creative person - produce art with the sole intention of honouring the Lord and edifying the church.

Honestly, I would not be writing still if it weren’t for my faith in Jesus and were it not for the people He has placed in my life to walk with me on this fulfilling, difficult, and crazy journey.

One of the main ways that I have cultivated inspiration over the years has been through prayer. There are days (more often than not) that I will straight up pray that God would fill me with the motivation, inspiration, and passion that I need to pour out the stores and words I feel he has called me to write. The days when I surrender my projects to him are the same days when my creativity flows so much better. Most of all, these are the same days when I experience the most joy in creating as I welcome Jesus into the process. My main goal as a writer is to convey the truth of Jesus Christ, which has and is transforming me, through every story I choose to create. The only way I can do this well is by continuing to lean into Him and to prioritize making time to learn more about who He is, which is done through studying His word, prayer, and engaging in the life of my local church.

If this is also your goal with your art, then I strongly encourage you to never disregard time with God in order to work on your project. Take the time you need to spend with Him. Prayerfully submit your art to Him daily. Take time to commit to leading or serving in your local church. Welcome your community into your creative journey, whether they understand it or not. We need the encouragement and wisdom of our brothers and sisters. We need them to set us back on our course when we are straying away, reminding us that whatever we do should be for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). This is such a key way for us to become more motivated and inspired to preserve. In fact, I believe it’s necessary.

These are just some of the ways that I continually cultivate inspiration to keep writing new and current projects. It’s so important that we take time to step away from whatever we are working on and allow our creative minds to wander, rest, learn, and dream. It’s incredibly important for any artist, but especially for those who wish to make some kind of career out of our art. I hope that you’ll take time this week to try out some of these steps that I’ve taken to cultivate my own inspiration and that they will help you press on in your own creative journey.

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(Note to Reader: I hope you stick around for more posts from me as I embark on this journey of exploring my passion for art and faith through my writing to encourage others in their creative pursuits. Please know, Reader, that you are welcome here. No matter who you are. No matter your personal beliefs. I’d like to emphasize that everything in this post is based upon my own opinion, interpretation, and experience. I have qualifications, but I’d hardly call myself an expert. My hope is that in sharing my thoughts and story that you would find encouragement or inspiration through my words. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me! I’d love to connect with you!)