I was reading a book about writing instead of writing recently and came across this passage, “This contact with the first–or authentic, or original–self can feel as magical as encountering a deer in a mountain clearing. ‘Could that magical creature really be me?’ we may wonder as the first shimmers of self shine through our doubts.” Julia Cameron
My spirit animal is a patronus. credit: harrypotter.wikia.com
I wondered as I re-read this book from 1996 if J.K. Rowling might have read the same words, and simply asked, “what if?” What if she read this book when she first started writing, jotted down a note about it, and then later as she wrote her super series, came back to a fragmented thought and created the patronus (one of my favorite ideas in her books).
It’s probably a stretch to think this. I could probably find out where she got her inspiration for the patronus if I spent more time googling it, but I like to imagine it could have been something as simple as a few lines in a book on creativity that sparked this idea. I like to imagine that the reading I do, the notes I take, and the ideas I’m gathering might serve some purpose later in my writing that I just don’t understand yet.
I like to imagine that the right “what if,” question will send me on my way.
Ideas are everywhere. Even when mine seem thin, and that is most of the time, I write them down anyway.
Inspiration is a cumulative process.
So keep writing, keep reading, keep collecting.
You might have a patronus in your files and just not know it yet.
Not much of a post, but I’ve been in a slump lately, and this idea has kept me going even when I feel like I’m wasting my time.
Maybe it will do the same for you today.
I feel like all I have are fragments. For the past several months I’ve been completely disjointed and lacking in any continuity. That, in and of itself, can be quite artistic if you allow it to be. We don’t always have to fill in the blanks and make total sense. I think you’re right. Inspiration and ideas are everywhere. I’m always surprised when a new song is written, as if all the melodies have already been taken. I think the same goes for writing, there’s an endless supply, we just need to be in the right frame of mind to harvest it.
PS – I say all this as someone who has no writing talent — I enjoy the process anyway.
You have plenty of writing talent, Grippy.
Your posts are smart, usually concise, and delivered in a clear conversational tone.
Why, you’re like a young female George Plimpton!
Here’s a fragment… I love you, Guapo! You’re always so kind to me and I’m always lifted by your words – Why? because I know the your intention is so pure.
Thanks, my sensitive friend.
Grippy xox
When I am in a slump, which for me is in drawing or painting, I play surrealist. A technique taught by Prof. Doug Hanson. Pick an item from four of these categories: Appliances, Animals/Insects, Structures, Mode of Transportation, Flowers/Trees. Then two colors. I like having my friends’ kids pick them out.
Then combine. Computers make that easy for you can just collage pictures. For writing, explain how that scene came to be. Just something to get your mind off of your task and still spark buckets of creativity.
Ooo, I like it! Thanks for sharing the technique
I think you have a great deal of writing talent, and even given what you’ve been going through, I think your writing has a ton of clarity. Not only that, you put up great information that helps and inspires others. And you take the time to leave thoughtful comments like this one! I enjoy the process as well, but I don’t always understand wth I’m doing or why
Thanks, Rachelle. That’s a supreme compliment coming from someone as gifted as you. If you don’t understand the process, no one would be the wiser. You certainly look like you do – every post you write is excellent.
Very cool, Rachel. For some reason, I had never equated the Patronus in HP with a spirit animal and I, too, find it to be one of my favorite parts of the wizarding world. One thing I learned years ago during my Industrial Design days was to never judge ideas as good or bad during the brainstorming process. That squelches the creative juices. So just go with it! And I love your ideas – they’re rich and full not thin in the least.
You are very kind Cathy, thank you! I think that’s a great policy…keep them all and sort them out and add depth to them later. I wish I could live in the wizarding world sometimes
Thanks for stopping by today!
I think this was MUCH POST ~ thank you for posting it!
I agree, this was much post and not slump-ish at all! I loved it
Thank you!
Thanks for reading it Ruta! I appreciate that. It didn’t feel like a much post
That’s cause you judge yourself too harshly ~
That’s good you take notes. I need to do that more. Every writer should. It’s easy to think we’ll remember something, but we usually don’t. So see? Your post has inspired me to get my butt in gear on this front.
Your “not much of a post” is pretty good!
Thank you!
My patronus is a bookworm.
True. Never let an idea slide.
Slippery little suckers sometimes
You are really onto something here. Sometimes I think about writing a book and I wonder what on Earth I could populate it with. What else is there left to say that I haven’t already at least touched on elsewhere? But then, when I just take the time to be open to inspiration and jot down a thought, it can blossom. The mind is a really cool thing.
Also, totally unrelated, but that deer reminds me of Twin Peaks.
The mind is a very cool thing. I just read an interesting book called Imagine by John Leher that had some great insights on how the mind makes creative associations.
I feel that way every time I try to write a book. I used to laugh when people said, “I have a book in me,” and I would picture them being really constipated or something, but after 200 blog posts and not being any closer to getting a book out than I was when I started, I understand that saying a little more now.
I think every idea and post can be a seed for something bigger later. I hope, anyway!
yup, just got to keep on keeping on.. i write it all down. little ideas, small moments can turn into beautiful stories.
Agreed
thanks for stopping by today!
I love Julia Cameron’s work and read it years ago. Maybe it’s time to dust it and take it off the shelf for another read as she always inspires me to write, write, write. Thanks for the reminder.
I keep coming back to her books again and again. She has the same effect on me. Thanks for reading and commenting!
We can create worlds, lives, and magic when inspired. Sometimes we never know what will inspire us. Keeping notes on what affects us is a good idea; you never know where a patronus may be found.
Very true. I keep trying to flip my mind into a place where it looks at these things and notes more creatively. Thanks for your comment!
This gavel chills.
A ‘what if’ is a powerful thing! My friend Michelle, who just published her first book recently, told me that it all started one day six years ago when she wondered, ‘what if my astronomy teacher was abducted by aliens?’. So hey, remember all of your crazy ‘what if’s! You never know where they could lead you.
Thanks for sharing that!
You’re absolutely right–ideas are everywhere, whether they’re developed from the “what ifs” or if they just pop into your head. Lately I’ve been having trouble with expanding anything from “what ifs” and I’ve found that some of my better ideas just come out of nowhere, with no warning. So sometimes I just fly by the seat of my pants. Inspiration really can come from anything!
Love this comment. Yes, it can be both for sure, and most of the time when I try to develop the what ifs they come across flat and like I’m trying too hard. But I suppose that’s all part of the process too. Thanks for your comment Weebs!
The slumps are natural. Our creative brains need some “down time” to process the what ifs and other ideas that simmer beneath the surface. Now, can I convince my hypercritical self to remember that?
So true.
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I actually thought this was a great post. i think it’s funny when we go ‘not much of a post,’ but really everyone else thinks it’s a great one. i loved how you linked that image to jk rowlings. i think it’s really unique. and it’s funny, she could’ve read that, forgotten she read it, and then dreamed up that animal/ creature thingy. anyway, a totally great read. xoxox, sm
Thanks SM! Always a pleasure to have you stop by! It is funny those, “not much of a post moments.” Maybe it’s that whole keep it simple thing.
I love that passage. We spend so much time on output, it’s important to remember that input is important, too. Inspiration is all around us, nuggets pop up on us and we just them down. It’s always good. I have been working on a book for about 8 months now, it has transformed more times than I can count. It keeps evolving as I evolve. I would get so frustrated over the “fragments” because I wanted everything to be linear. Then, something changed, I let go of that notion and began writing sideways, inside out, back and forth. There is order in that chaos. Those fragments are just pieces of your puzzle, and you get to decide how to put it together. Everything is connected, those connections can be made by something as simple as a color, a sneeze, a hot dog or a blue sky. It’s up to you how to link those experiences. I don’t know if I’m making any sense, I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is order in the seeming chaos, sometimes you will not find it, it will find you.
You are one hell of a talented writer, know what you’re worth.
T
You are totally making sense! Loved this comment and just realized I left you hanging like an asshole. Sorry about that!
no worries, i pat myself on the back when i remember to feed my kids.
We have that in common