Thoughts on Inspiration
The following was found while I was packing boxes for my recent move. Judging by the handwriting, the content, and the other things I found with it, I wrote it some time in high school.
Sherrah’s Laws of Inspiration
Inspiration happens only
1. When you are eating oreos with milk.
2. When you are in the bathroom.
3. Between 12 and 2:30 am (or those times when you are supposed to be sleeping).
4. When you are taking a major test.
5. When you are in the middle of a term paper that is due the next day.
6. When are are somewhere where people don’t even know what pens and paper are.
Yeah, I was a nerd back then. (Who am I kidding, I’m still a nerd.) I have no memory of writing this list, but it looks like something I kept handy so I could add to it. (I am so glad blogs weren’t around when I was in high school.)
Have these laws stood the test of time? Well, I haven’t bought oreos in years, so I’m not sure about that one. But I do know that snacks are always good while writing. As for rule number 2, I did recently find myself working through a problem in my current story while I was in the bathroom. And it was after midnight when I had an aha! moment earlier this week. I don’t take tests anymore, nor do I write term papers these days, so rules 4 and 5 don’t necessarily work. Although, I do often find myself thinking about my story when I’m doing something else. I’m not sure what to make of rule number 6. I have no clue what inspired that one. But I’ve learned that when I’m in the thick of a story, and even when I’m not, inspiration can come at any time and any place. All it takes is having eyes that can see and ears that can hear.
I’ve never really understood the people who want to write but don’t know what to write about. Stories are all around us. All you need is a character. Figure out what they want. Put a few obstacles in the way to keep them from getting it, and then find a way for them to overcome those obstacles. And let your imagination run wild.
I should note that the edges of the paper I wrote my “laws on” are burned, to make them look old. I do remember doing this once or twice, but you shouldn’t tell my parents because as far as they are concerned, I never played with fire in my room.
So true. For me, it tends to happen in the worse moments! Always when you don’t have paper. But I console myself with the notion that if I forget it, another good one will come along.