I sat down at the computer to blog this morning, and this is what I thought: Ummmm.
I'm ashamed to say that it continued for quite some time. I typed three different blog posts and deleted them all. Why? Because they were lame. Very Lame. Lame with a capital L. You are most welcome for erasing them and sparing you the pain.
My three failed posts got me thinking about inspiration. I needed some. So, I called my sister and asked her to give me a writing prompt. She paused, and all I could hear was a swish-brush-mumble kind of sound.
Again, for the second time, I said, "Ummmm?"
She said, "Brushing your teeth."
I silently said, "Say what?"
She rinsed and expectorated. And I had it. The answer to inspiration.
Spittle.
Yup, you heard me.
I thanked her and hung up the phone. I didn't blog about that. Yet. I went and brushed my teeth, cleaned my tub, took a hot bath, and thought about spit and writing. A funny thing happened. All the ummmm left me, and my mind opened up. Ideas started flowing for my novel. I even had an ah ha moment. Pretty cool stuff.
Why? Because I stepped away for a short time and let my mind relax and ponder spittle while my body cleaned the tub. Sometimes we need to let the creative process simmer, or in this case lather, before we set it down in hard words. Every story needs to be created in the mind before it goes in print. I'll remember this the next time I have an ummmm moment, but for now, I'm off to put my new thoughts into my novel.
So, I owe my sis a thank you for getting me to think about spit. I now have a clean tub, clean teeth, and clean ideas for my novel. Oh,and a blog post dedicated to spit.
What gives you inspiration?
19 comments:
Inspriration really is in the everyday things. I don't enjoy any novel, no matter how exciting, unless I relate to the characters. It really is in the 'spit' (which we all must do), that the human side comes out.
Thanks for the great blog. I'll think about cleaning my tub, now.
I've been stalking for a while, both here and at Scribbler's Cove. I decided it was time to tell you that you totally rock!! :-)
Jonene, so it is worth spit. Ha ha.
Shannon, welcome! I'm so glad you de-lurked! *Grin*
3 words Leisha:
SO VERY TRUE!!!!
Lovin it!
Texasblu, *grin* you are awesome.
Spit can be good.
I'm inspired by sleep. Which I really need right now. I agree with everyone else, you totally rock Leisha! =D
Carolyn, sleep is VERY inspiring. I think I'll get me some, too. :)
LOL!
A friend of mine says she gets inspiration while blow-drying her hair. ;)
I'm not feelin' the love for inspiration right now so I'm trying to force it to my will. It only gets me so far but it's progress, yes?
LOL Leisha. funny and so true!
I loved the book Terry Brooks wrote on writing (can't remember the name, argh!). In it he talked about "dreaming" and that's a phrase I use a lot to describe my process. Sometimes my sons or my husband will stumble upon me, just ... meditating, kind of. They wonder what I'm doing and are surprised when i say "writing".
But that's what I'm doing. I'm writing in my head, dreaming my story. That way when I get to the computer, I can make magic happen. :)
Ali, I love that! Dreaming my book. Yum. :)
Fun blog article. Thanks for posting it!
Inspiration often comes while I'm doing dishes. Soapy hands make it really hard to grab a pen and paper, though! :)
Oh, before I forget ... thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the funny state slogans!
I find inspiration in the oddest places - but it's usually when I'm tired, lying in bed wanting to go to sleep and can't because my brain won't turn off.
For me, it tends to come when I'm exercising. I guess something about the physicality of it, getting my blood pumping, makes my mind work better. A good, long walk does wonders for clearing cobwebs away.
For times when I 'need to be inspired', in other words when it's time for me to write, editing a few pages of the chapter prior works.
CL, I get ideas while doing dishes, too. Of course, they are often ideas about how to get the kids to do the dishes. :)
Jolene, as far as sleeping goes, mine tend to come first thing in the morning.
Mark, you are so right! I used to go for walks and talk to myself about my book. I quit doing that. Hmmm maybe I should start again. :)
I get my best ideas trolling blogs! People's ideas help spark others for me. Also just every day life. Things pop up and I write them down before I forget!
Leisha:
I'll never look at brushing my teeth and spitting in the same way again. No wonder I love your writing so much: It's totally different and strange in a clever sort of way. Hmmmm? You make me enjoy life more and laughing is good for ya. Right?
Hugs,
Irene
Lydia, blogs to have great ideas! And it's so fun to see how other people look at the world.
Irene, laughing is the best, and so are you. :)
Hee! Loved this. :)
I usually get blog ideas when I am nowhere near a pen - usually when dashing for a train. By the time I get a seat (usually three trains later) all I will remember was it started with 'The'.
Jayne, you make me smile. Do you know how many times I can only remember 'the'? Way too many!
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