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Writing on Borrowed Paper

Life sometimes surprises us with wonderful opportunities and ideas for writing. What do we do with them? Do we ignore it and let it slide by? Do we take full advantage of it, even if it means writing on borrowed paper?

The muse is a fickle thing. She very seldom presents us with the same idea twice. It is to our advantage to accept her offerings the first time around.

Think of it this way:

You have a gift for someone close to you. You present it to them. Not once. Not twice. Repeatedly. Yet, you are always rejected, ignored, turned away.

Do you keep trying? No. At some point, you give up. And you give the gift to someone else you know will enjoy it and use it.

Do you try to give the first person another gift? Maybe. Maybe not. Chances are, though, it won't be as good as the first one.

There's a lesson to be learned here. It is fairly obvious, but it bears repeating all the same.

The ideas presented to us by the muse are highly individualized gifts. Constant refusal or ignoring the muse tends to slow the flow of ideas.

Eventually, it stops.

Instead of acknowledging it for what it is, we call it writer's block. Blocked from what? Ourselves? Our writing ability? Our source of inspiration?

Aha! There we have it. Perhaps we should petition the editors of dictionaries to change the definition of writer's block. Instead of it being defined as "inability to write due to lack of ideas or fear" (or whatever the definition actually is), it should say "inability to write due to not connecting with the source of inspiration/ creativity as a result of constant and repeated rejection of ideas and opportunities as presented by life/the muse.

Perhaps that definition is a bit long. Isn't it a great deal more accurate though?

We hear it and see It repeated often enough that it should be permanently emblazoned across our collective forehead: Take advantage of every opportunity you have to write.

Ideas are presented to us no matter where we are. Carrying a small pocket- or purse-sized notebook serves as an idea-catcher.

In line at the bank? Waiting to pick the kids up from baseball practice? Sitting in the doctor's waiting room?

Relying on memory alone is not always effective. There's no real excuse for not capturing the ideas as they are presented. Even if it means writing on borrowed paper.

Learn more about this author, Jen Nipps.
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