Hi everybody,
There's this puzzle I've been trying to solve and to think I get close to the answer sometimes really twists the whole thing around. As a freelance writer, I've spent years writing and getting paid for it but at some point, I felt there was no other motive than to make some cash. When I realized this, I plunged into reading, watching and listening to the stories of other people. It felt wonderful to be inspired of these stories but then another question popped up. Who inspired them? Well, that's when I found out that it wasn't actually their stories that inspired me at that moment but the passion with which the told them. Is it passion that inspires you? Is it someone? Is it one story? Maybe 2... Well, in my humble opinion, in every inspiration, there's a very high dosage of passion that drives creativity.
What do you think?
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IMO all writers crave acceptance (very human emotion) and they connect with people by telling stories. I maintain connections with people outside writing so rejection is never an impact on my worth to the community.
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One of my published eBooks is titled "The Cocaine Zone" and a reader reviewed it saying she decided not to use after reading my book. Making a positive difference on that one reader was worth all the tea in China... regardless of the subject matter's "adult themes."
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In most of the stories I have written it is based on the passion I have for the stories based on experiences I have had or ones I have heard. Working in social services you are never short on stories, but I also had some more positive experiences like a story I based on my Grandparents relationship which was a very beautiful uplifting story. I have found that all around us there are great stories that can be the foundation of funny, caring, sad, and even frightening experiences that we can turn into wonderful scripts.
Exactly Natalie. Brian, that's True and Craig, you've summed it all up. True inspiration is appreciation of whatever experience and if one has the talent to write or tell it, it may teach, entertain, and create. But which do you think is hard, be inspired or to write?
Dan, I so agree with you plus pursue a topic few dare approach.
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A very interesting topic. I think it's different for each particular writer, and it perhaps changes throughout the course of their careers. Personally, I'm inspired by other people and their writing, different topics and things that speak to me. In the end I'm inspired about something that matters to me for whatever reason. I don't think you can be inspired by money, only motivated. There's a definite difference.
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What inspires me is multi-faceted. One is desire to have my name attached to a quasi-artistic endeavor (even if ends up being a screenplay no one sees except my progeny) for my own personal satisfaction the same as a painter or photographer, etc. Another is I visualize stories and love seeing well made and present stories so I would like to see good stories told on screen, hopefully mine someday. Not so interested in the fame but the fortune would be nice.