Inspiring Inspiration

Part I: In the Beginning

"You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."

- Jack London

Welcome to The Scratch Post, a blog that will discuss a multitude of topics from movie reviews to opinions on faith, writing, well I’m sure you get the point.

This particular entry of The Scrath Postis the first of many inspired posts by me and I am hoping many guest bloggers on the topic of Inspiration as it applies to creative writing and its significance in the creative process. As a podcaster, I often ask my guests about their sources of inspiration, and I have found that personal anecdotes and memories make for interesting responses. However, when it comes to the question of where one draws inspiration from to write in the present moment, the answers can be elusive and require serious introspection.

This blog post series aims to explore several questions I have asked myself over the years to uncover and understand my own sources of inspiration. I recognize that the topic of inspiration is complex and multi-faceted, and therefore, it may require several installments to do it justice.

Through this series, I hope to offer insights and strategies that will help those who are seeking ways to be inspired or broaden their sources of inspiration in order to keep writing. So, if you're someone who has struggled with writer's block or simply wants to expand your creative horizons, this series is for you. Let's dive in!

What is inspiration?

The word "inspiration" comes from the Latin word "inspiratio," which means "a breathing into." The prefix "in" means "into," and "spiratio" means "a breathing." In ancient times, the word "inspiration" was used to describe the act of a divine being breathing into a person or an object, endowing it with life or spirit.

Over time, the meaning of the word "inspiration" expanded to include any experience that arouses creativity or enthusiasm. For example, people might say that a beautiful sunset inspired them to write a poem or that a great work of art inspired them to pursue a career in art.

In modern times, "inspiration" has taken on a more general meaning, referring to any feeling or experience that motivates or influences a person's thoughts or actions. It is often associated with creativity, motivation, and innovation.

Overall, the concept of inspiration has evolved over time to encompass a wide range of experiences and emotions, but it still retains its original connection to the idea of a divine or supernatural influence.

The Muse

In ancient Greek mythology, the concept of inspiration was closely linked to the idea of the muses. The muses were nine goddesses who were believed to inspire and protect various arts and sciences, such as poetry, music, dance, and history.

According to myth, a person could only create a great work of art or achieve great intellectual feats by being visited and inspired by one of the muses. The muses were considered divine beings who breathed inspiration into people and were believed to be the source of all creative inspiration.

In this sense, the muses were a specific embodiment of the broader concept of inspiration, representing a tangible and personified form of creative inspiration. The idea of the muses became so ingrained in Western culture that even today, we still use the term "muse" to refer to a person or thing that inspires creativity or artistic expression.

In summary, the muses were closely tied to the concept of inspiration in ancient Greek mythology and were believed to be the source of all creative inspiration, representing a tangible and personified form of the broader concept of inspiration.

As a writer, you know that finding inspiration is one of the most important aspects of writing. Whether you're a blogger, a novelist, or a journalist, you need to find the inspiration to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. However, finding inspiration is not always easy. Sometimes you may feel like you have writer's block, or you may struggle to find the right words to convey your thoughts. In future instalments in this series of article, we'll discuss how to find inspiration for writing.