Here’s the thing about art and life and love: we often wait to feel something before we act.
In art, we call this being inspired. You need to feel the story, the character, to know where it’s all headed for. Or you need to have the vision of a painting, the melody, etc.
Truth be told, it’s not like that. Of course, it’s the easiest way, but this is a circle. Like those vicious circles and self-fulfilling prophecies.
What I mean by this is that motion also breeds emotion.
Inspiration must find you working.
You start working on a piece and sooner or later you’ll find yourself being inspired.
Little by little.
Books only get written one word at a time.
So, you write a few words.
“I’m just going to work on this piece for half an hour.”
You set yourself to fail.
It’s probably going to suck, because you’re not feeling it.
But guess what?
Sometimes, sitting at a desk and doing the work it’s all it takes. You might be shocked by the stuff you produce.
You might fill in all the blank spaces you previously had.
You might even create something brilliant.
Who knows?
You won’t unless you give it a try.
I, too, have found this to be true!
The most important lesson I ever learned about writing. It took me way too long to learn it.