Writers' dilemmas -- The Search for Inspiration

Good writing doesn’t require an exotic setting or extravagant plot. The essential ingredient of compelling work is the writer’s ability to describe, in an original way, that ineffable quality that made the story irresistible to them. Not every writing idea triggers a truly creative response. Writers need reflective time to sort through potential brainstorms and find the one that can be transformed into an exciting story.

To refine those inspirational ideas, I take long walks on the roads around Pennsyl Pointe. Time among the busy creatures of the Pocono woods sets my thinking free. Back at the house I have a shocking pink Moleskine notebook that I use for jotting down details of story concepts. Since legend (and persuasive advertising) suggests that Moleskines were used by famous expatriate artists including Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso, writing in mine makes me feel more inventive. Keeping a log of inspired ideas also ensures that I have no excuses for not writing when my Sunday creative time rolls around. On my list I include possible characters, provocative events, and weird stuff that gets stuck in my mental freight. Right now, I owe myself some writing on blue herons, Mexican immigrants and phony aristocrats. But I still haven’t crossed injured spiders off the list.