Inspiration is said to be somebody or something that inspires somebody to creative thought or to the making of art.

So how can a writer be inspired? Writer's can find inspiration anywhere. Inspiration comes in many shapes and sizes. Emotions are a great tool for inspiration. If you are happy, sad or angry they can bring out how you are feeling onto the computer screen or paper. Inspiration can be given to an author with the simplest of words. An image in a magazine can inspire someone to write a story. It can even be a photograph which a person might have taken at a family gathering. Everything around a person can be inspiration and spark a story.

Inspiration is something every author has. Sometimes Inspiration needs a little help to escape the mind and get the hand moving. To let the words fall out of the mouth and onto the paper. A writer needs to be able to find inspiration in order to write that amazing novel, article or poem. They need to be able to channel their inspiration onto paper. The problem is what inspires you as a writer?

My biggest inspirations as a writer are my two children, the most important people in my life. They say the funniest things without realizing what they are saying. They are honest about what they think and how they feel. As a parent I can say that at times they can even embarrass their parents without knowing it. Children are so innocent and in a way can be the most inspiration a writer needs. A writer should think back to when they were a child and remember what it was like experiencing things for the very first time. How did you feel at that exact moment? Were you frustrated, happy or maybe sad? What was the first day of school like? How about the first disagreement you and your best friend had? All forms of inspiration for a writer. Look into your inner child because we all have one, but sometimes it is harder to find within one person compared to the next.

Another form of inspiration is dreams. I have a note pad on my bed side table. I don't know how many times I have woken up in the middle of the night after a dream and was inspired to jot down what occurred in it. Many times the dreams and thoughts jotted down stay in the note pad and go no further, but the odd time they tend to stand out and make me want to write about it.

The world events, current or past events are amazing ways to channel your inspiration. Did someone in your family fight in World War II? If so what is the story? Research it, interview the family member or if they are deceased interview someone in the family that might know the story. Bring their untold story to life for others to hear and read. What about some of the events that are occurring in your own city? You never know something might trigger inspiration.

A writer can find inspiration within their own life. Did they go through a horrible break up or a death of a close loved one? I find a lot of inspiration in my own life. I lost my mother at a young, but I find inspiration and comfort in thinking of how my mother would do things. I was the woman figure in the life of my brother, until about 5 years ago when my baby brother got married. It was a shock to my system, but I learned to let go. I am truly inspired by the person my brother has become.

A writer needs to finds out what is their biggest form of inspiration and go from there. Remember you never know when an idea might inspire you.

Learn more about this author, Rebecca Boles-O'Donnell.
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