Every now and then, I find myself staring blankly at a blank page. Uninspired and stuck. Inspiration plays a significant role in creating anything, so it is crucial when it comes to writing. So, how do we find our inspirations?
For me personally, nature really helps inspire tone. I love to look at the moon, or rainy weather, or even a sunset, and from that, I feel certain vibes and emotions, which I’ll then try to incorporate into my writing. For example, the sun would probably make me want to write something hopeful, warm, and strong. Or rain would probably make me write something more personal and introspective. Walking in nature is a great place to
think, so that also helps clear my mind and focus on whatever project I want to work on. When it comes to locations, I think walking in new and familiar places are both beneficial and can inspire you in different ways. When I walk around my neighborhood or campus, I’m usually inspired to create something that represents myself or some familiar experience. Sometimes I’ll find inspiration in a memory and want to write about it.
Another way that I find inspiration is by connecting with a sense of purpose. For example, I feel that representing the human experience is the main reason to write. Using our voices and our writing to talk about the things that really matter in life, and bearing witness to the things that people go through, is important. When I hear and think about the oppression going on in the world, and the people that are hurting, that inspires me to want to write about them. I want to use my voice to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. I want to write stories from my own experiences, representing my victories and wildest dreams, as well as my failures and heartbreaks. The point of writing is to express our experiences both as and with humanity. I think it’s important to remember that larger purpose when writing anything.
Yet another way I feel inspired is by experiencing other people’s forms of expression. When we read books, watch movies, or look at art, we open ourselves to new perspectives and ideas. There are entire concepts I wouldn’t know about if it weren’t for consuming art and storytelling. My biggest source of inspiration is the authors Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the creators of Superman. The reason they inspire me is that they’ve created one of the most popular and iconic characters in history, and even though he’s fictional, Superman has saved real lives and done good things for the world as a simple idea. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster used their creativity to create stories that stood against the struggles and antisemitism they were facing in their lives, such as the great depression, and the antisemitism and tragedy of World War II. The way that these creators address current events is something I would like to try and incorporate into my own stories. I read a lot of fiction novels, graphic novels, and manga, and new ideas I encounter when I read motivate me to create and write.
Inspiration is all around you! If you need to break your writer’s block, you might need to see or experience something to birth your inspiration: just go outside, or skim through your favorite book, or see a new movie. My motivations for writing are a part of who I am, and your motivations can be too. Your writing is important; it’s your own way of speaking to the world.