Quirky Inspiration

Inspiration happens when you least expect it. For me, most of the time, it happens so subtley that I don't realize what's going on until it's over (kind of like sex after a few too many glasses of wine), so I don't get to enjoy it as much, if at all. Well, this weekend I got to enjoy a little inspiration.

I was on Facebook when I ran across a link to a video by Paloma Faith, an quirky entertainer from the UK. I liked it, and when I searched on her to find out more, I found a video for a song called New York.

For some reason, listening to this song (not necessarily watching the video) made me want to learn to sing. I have a terrible voice, always have had, but when I heard this song I thought, "Wow, it would be neat to be able to sing that!" Also, I loved that lyricist decided to personify the city of New York and make it the "other woman." I found it unusual and intriguing, and thus I was inspired.

And that incident, like my husband's kisses, inspired me to write about inspiration. See how contagious it is? lol

Usually when inspiration strikes, I don't think about it until much later and I don't get to embrace the energy. However, there have been times in the past when I did.

For example (and in keeping with the fact that Mother's Day was this weekend), writing You're All I Want for Christmas was a conscious effort inspired by single moms everywhere, including mine, who struggle around the holidays to provide for their children.

I know many writers are moved to write by their favorite authors, or least favorite (OMG, even I can write better than that!). I actually have to write or I can't think, but my favorite authors and their tremendous story-telling skills inspire me to try to write different types of stories.

What inspires you? What has inspired one of your books or stories? Or moved you to action in some way? Do share! It just might inspire someone else.

Happy Reading!

3 comments:

Natasha Moore said...

Great post, Cameo. I'd never seen Paloma Faith before, I love that song. The lyrics are fantastic.

I get my inspiration from everywhere. But I have to be in a receptive state of mind. If too much stuff is going on in my head, nothing seems to get in, but if I'm in the right mood, just about anything inspires me. :-)

Anonymous said...

This is a great post! I guess inspirations hits me in different ways, but when it hits I feel energized and I absolutely have to write as much of it down as I can. That way when I come back and read it, I'll remember what I felt and I can start working on the story.

Reading other authors always inspires me to write better. I'm usually thinking to myself, "I want to write as good as so-and-so."

Nicole North said...

Many different things inspire me. Highland Games inspired a couple of my novellas. History, tales, legends, songs. I love that feeling of inspiration when it hits.