Sometimes my writing flows. The story appears in my head fully formed. The words pour out of my fingertips. It feels like the Lord Himself is dictating my prose.
I love it when writing happens like that. Don’t you? But it’s rare…for me anyway. Most of the time, I get an idea, and I start writing, but it doesn’t exactly slide from my head to the paper (or computer screen) fully formed. Writing can be, and often is, a lot of work. Like they say, it’s generally a lot more perspiration than inspiration.
But you know, if it was always easy, anyone could do it. And I like to think that God has gifted me with a handful (or more) of stories to tell in my own way. Sometimes, he almost writes them for me. Most of the time, however, he lets me work through them so I can improve my craft, learn perseverance, and maybe become a bit more like Him in some way. And that’s fine with me.
I’m willing to perspire a bit to put out a quality piece–as long as it inspires my reader to look to the One who directed me.
Do you find writing to be more inspiration or perspiration? How do you feel about these two aspects of your craft?
Related posts:
3 Comments until now.
I know what you mean about sometimes it pours out. I love when that happens but it doesn’t always–it is work and I like that you said it allows us to learn our craft. I have a chapter ready to be poured out right now!
Definite perspiration most of the time. But when a story is total inspiration…love it. That’s how it was for my challenge entry “I’d Rather Die.” Even with that though, there was much critique and editing to bring it to the version I’m now publishing in my short story collection.
As they say, a piece of writing is never finished, it’s just finally abandoned.
I find that what starts with inspiration needs a lot of perspiration to keep it going. I think both are needed, either entertained or alternating. I would love to be all inspiration (laziness?) but that never works for me. Angela