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Inspiration is absolutely essential for all writers, regardless of to which discipline of writing they most commonly write. The infuriating thing about inspiration, however, is that it is something which tends to find us rather than the other way about. So is there any way in which we can, if not produce inspiration, at least encourage it to form? What about making the most of it when it does strike? Fortunately, both of these factors are possible to a certain extent, it is simply a case of knowing how.

The very worst thing we can do when seeking inspiration is to actively focus our minds about finding same. If we sit for endless hours, chewing our pen or pencil, trying to be "inspired" in a closed and quiet room, we are essentially minimising our chances of being so inspired. The reason for this is quite simply that something generally triggers inspiration, just as a match sets fire to a bundle of kindling, and inactivity is not the way therefore to setting the process in motion.

If we therefore find ourselves in the situation where we are stuck in our writers' den, lost for ideas and desperately in need of same, the best thing we can do is something, anything, which will introduce us to activity round about us and have us witness to unpredictable events. We could turn on the TV or the radio but by far the best way of improving our chances of finding inspiration is to get out of the house and go to a busy place.

What we are actually writing about may very well determine where we actually go when we leave the house. It may sound obvious but if we are, for example, writing a poem about flowers in a lush green meadow, go and visit said meadow! If we are writing about an event taking place in a bustling city, get yourself in to that city and be conscious of all that is going on around you.

By doing these things, it is almost as though we are laying bait for inspiration, trying to tease it from its elusive hiding place in our subconscious in to the daylight of our conscious minds. Just like fishing with bait, the process is not guaranteed but it is a lot more likely to succeed than submerging an empty hook in the water.

What we also need to remember, however, is to always be prepared for inspiration striking. Whether this be while we are actively seeking it as described above or simply going about the business of our daily lives, we must be prepared to record the thoughts and circumstances that inspire us. We should therefore get in to the habit of carrying such as a Dictaphone or even a small notepad and pen around with us at all times, as there is nothing worse than knowing that you did have a great idea earlier that day but being unable to recall it in part or in full by the time we come to write about it.

By adopting these practises, we cannot guarantee that we will find inspiration for our stories and poemsbut we certainly stand a far better chance of both doing so and of subsequently recalling the details.

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
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