There are times where I need to write, and I have no idea where the inspiration is going to come from. What I have learned from these short pieces, is that they’re about so much more than what I thought or originally intended.
I’ll provide a couple of examples. You can read the entire pieces on my WordPress blog if you’re interested in the details. Anyway, I was making chocolate chip cookies one afternoon, and the simple ingredients, number of batches I’ve made over the years, as well as the recipients of these baked wonders transformed into a blog that spoke to family, generosity, and manners. I titled it “Chocolate Chip Legacy.”
I love ball fringe. One time I bought 25 yards of it because I loved the color and size of the little, fuzzy balls. I think I got the idea for this blog during a trip to a different fabric store (and another ball fringe sighting). “Ball Fringe – Order in a Chaotic World” touched on the way my creative mind works and the basic notion that I love structure and predictability within the realm of creative expression.
What I’m trying to say is that I had no idea where these pieces of writing were going when I started writing them. I just sat down and let them tell me what they wanted to say. Turns out, it was a lot more than just talking about chocolate chips or fuzzy globes strung together.
These pieces are great release valves for me when I’m in the depths of writing a book and need to come up for air. I find them quite helpful if the scene in the book is particularly difficult or heart-wrenching. I can step away and find something normal, safe, and pleasing to divert my mind for a while.
There’s a bonus for me when I take these diversions — it clears my mind a bit from the story I’m working on, and sometimes there are bits and pieces to glean from the blog and insert into the story. Perhaps not a cookie or a bit of fringe, but an emotion to convey or a lesson to impart upon a character that needs a bit of a shaking up.
I never discount the value of these short side trips. They always have something deeper to say, and I am always surprised at where we end up.
Ellen Holder
I enjoyed this immensely! I was just thinking yesterday that our inspiration comes more often from writing, than our writing originates from inspiration. Just putting pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard) causes words to flow and inspiration to flame to life. Once more, a fellow writer has encouraged me to stay with my craft. Thank you.
Ruth Coe Chambers
You’re making my cookies! They look like mine anyway. Enjoyed reading about what inspires you. At the moment I am having a problem with inspiration. A stroke can do that to you, but I’m taking heart from your kind words about yard and recipes and as Ellen Holder was inspired to say, I am just going to put those fingers (unwilling though they may be) to the keyboard and stay with my love of writing.
Anne
Hope it helps, Ruth! Thanks for reading!