Feel that lack of inspiration? Maybe It’s time to refuel. This winter has been very long, but that might be because I’m not as busy as I’ve always been. As I’ve taught my students for the past twenty-plus years, with freedom comes responsibility. I’m slowing down, catching up on the sleep, reading books piled on my nightstand, watching Shameless, going for coffee, etc., but I haven’t been very productive. I’ve been so absorbed by this unfamiliar feeling of freedom that I’ve forgotten to make a plan to ensure I am responsible for this newfound freedom.

Idle Minds are the Devil’s Playground

I’m pretty sure at some point my mother instilled in me this idea that an idle mind is the devil’s playground—though not in those exact words. It was more like—“If you’re bored, there are lots of things to do to help around here. Get busy!”

Now, when I’m doing nothing I think I should be doing something. It’s what I call my Catholic conscience, but it could be the farm ethic— or some such ethic instilled at an early age. Whatever it is, I’m not making good use of my time. I’ve got to take charge.

Feel uninspired? It’s time to refuel.

This weekend I went to Writing North, which was like a breath of fresh air. Even the weather gave us some reprieve, and the room had windows that looked out over a beautiful view of my old university campus. The theme, “Hurry hard! Writing in Competitive Times,” spoke to my heart.

six big ideas from the conference

1. There is no competition. Writers and writing is no longer in the spotlight, so we can do whatever we want to do. We need to hold one another up as we cheer for those who find success. We are all on the same team.
2. As a writer (any kind of creator, really) you must create the space you need out of thin air. This might be carving a routine into your schedule, surrounding yourself with the inspiration you need, finding a quiet place to write, or asking for help to relieve other demands in your life.
3. Allow yourself to be obsessive. (This one I attribute to Katherine Lawrence)  Trust those obsessions because they will take you to dangerous psychic places. This means you must also take very good care of your personal health and check your internal thermometer. You might have to shift what you’re doing a little to the right.
4. It’s okay (and quite normal) to work on several projects at a time because we all have our different working styles—some of us are quick to write first drafts and slow to edit. Marina Endicott confessed to being a slow writer, but she also said it’s okay to take your time. You’re not in a hurry—remember, there is no real competition!
5. Martha Baillie spoke about how you have to let your “scraps” accumulate until they tell you the shape they want. Listen to your material, and it will tell you what it wants. The novel is like a sculpture—even good prose takes you around its “sculpture.” Every time you look from a different perspective, everything changes. (Martha Baillie has done some very cool installments of her work. Check out schlogel.com for inspiration.)
6. Shane Book and Jordan Abel spoke to the poet in me. Kenneth T. Williams inspired me with his energy and passion for theatre. They’re poetic diction and “teachings” are good reminders of what the spoken word does when it’s done well.

More Inspiration:

Clarity Through Decluttering

Carving Out Your Dreams

As Toni Morrison (and many other writers) said:

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”