by Shirley Norling

Created on: August 12, 2008   Last Updated: August 05, 2011

My inspiration for writing comes from everyday living with all its trials and tribulations, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I'm inspired to write about past experiences, the present, and even future aspirations. I'm inspired by new ideas, which come from coworkers, the Internet, television viewing, reading, etc.

I wake up in the morning, grab my cup of coffee, turn the television on, and head for my recliner. As I sit and gaze out the window of my second floor apartment, ideas seem to enter my mind immediately. I see the birds flying around the tree branches. That may inspire me to write a poem about the beauty of nature.

On my way to work, the rain pounding against the windshield of my jeep may inspire me to write about God's gift of the rain he's sending down to the water our planet earth. It could also have an opposite effect about the fury of a storm that we have absolutely no control over. When I'm back home, safe and sound, I may attempt to figure out what was the biggest effect of that rainstorm on me and then decide exactly what was the most inspirational about that ride in the rain.

My grandchildren, bouncing off the walls of my small two bedroom apartment, could inspire me to write about the joys of grand-parenting and remembering how it used to be years ago, when I was parenting, rather then assuming the role of grand-parenting as I'm doing today.

A recent trip to a family wedding out East, may inspire me to write about the horror of my flight out their, or it could be about the peacefulness, beauty, and tranquility of my return trip on the train, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I may also be inspired to write about the wedding I attended while I was in Maine, a tale of two young lovers, blinded by their love for each other, totally unaware of what the future may have in store for them. In another year, I could have a completely different story to write about this young couple, which could possibly include a baby and a baby carriage.

Inspiration to write can be found almost anywhere. All I need to do is stop, look, and listen, and ideas flood my mind. Sometimes I find there are more ideas then I have the time to actually pen on paper.

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