Be sure to write down that inspirational thought

Ed Close

I have had quite a few comments from people I know, and from perfect strangers concerning my columns. I wish to say “thank you” for all the positive feedback. Sometimes we don’t, as writers, see the effect of the words we write. I am fortunate that I have heard about the effects. I realize my column wanders all over the map when it comes to subject matter, but the main things I write about are writing and gardening.

I suppose I write about these things more because they are what occupy my time when I’m not at work, and this column is the place I can write as if I’m having a conversation with the readers, rather than giving them cold, hard facts.

I want to speak to the writers and would-be writers out there in this column. This time I’d like to touch on the subject of inspiration. An odd thing happens with creative people when inspiration comes to them. They think about it, tumble it around and examine the idea. Then the writer gets distracted by something else that doesn’t have anything to do with the idea they had. Later, when they go to look at that idea over again, it isn’t there, or it isn’t clear any longer.

It certainly happens to writers this way, and it doesn’t matter what kind of writing they pursue. I’ve met many writers and mentored several along the way, and they all tend to have this problem. It causes a loss of inspiration and that causes a lack of writing.

I would strongly suggest you take the time to write the idea down in all detail before you allow yourself that distraction. It doesn’t have to be some polished piece or edited manuscript. It can be organized notes or a jumble you have to sort through later, but inspiration is unforgiving. If you don’t capture that inspired thought when it comes, it will be lost to the busyness of life and fracture into a thousand pieces that you simply can’t put back together again.

If you’re a writer, write. Don’t second guess it or try to decide if it’s worth doing or not. You’ll have plenty of time to decide that later, just write for the sake of writing. The idea you’re struck with doesn’t have to be world changing or life altering. It can be something simple and have the feel of unimportance and, still, once it’s written, reach other people in ways you don’t imagine.