Friday, October 17, 2014

Ideas


It may feel like inspiration comes from nowhere. But I think we create it ourselves.

My father-in-law says "preparation, incubation, inspiration, implementation." To me this means research, thought, the aha moment and the jotting down.

Lately I've been doing the preparation and incubation part: I research a possibility, think about it, look it up in another place or think some other maybe-kind-of thought, come up against the wall that is my insecurity or my taste or perhaps my own good sense, then throw it all away and start over again at that nowhere place from which inspiration does not come. One is told to trust the process. Ha.

This morning I was visiting with friends and one of them said something that gave me that light bulb, that inspiration, that aha!

Now I know inspiration comes from my girlfriends.


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Come by the Buena Vista library in Burbank Saturday, 10/18 from 1-4 pm. Sign up to win a free copy of "Camelot & Vine" and say hi to 50 local authors. The information is here.

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13 comments:

William Kendall said...

Ideas, particularly for the writer, can come in the strangest of places!

Bellis said...

I heard it often happens in the shower.

Petrea Burchard said...

I believe you speak from experience, William!

That's why I have AquaNotes, Bellis. http://www.myaquanotes.com/

Laura M said...

My best ideas, sometimes complete, pristinely written paragraphs, come when I'm driving. Then somebody cuts me off or slams on the brakes, and there they go.

irinapictures said...

Walk in the park usually upgrades my mind and ideas.
Well, my ideas come from everywhere, by surprise, but where to find will to get to work and stop procrastinate???
Thank you very much for your kindest attention.

Kalei's Best Friend said...

Sometimes, my light bulb moments will wake me up in the middle of the night. Shocking feeling for your eyes to automatically open and u think ' now I get it!'...

Petrea Burchard said...

Laura, you remind me of Elizabeth Gilbert's wonderful TED talk about the elusive genius. It's worth watching just to hear her story about Tom Waits and the freeway. https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius

All so true, Irina! Walking is great for inspiration but yes, then you must implement your ideas. I don't suppose we can have the time to implement them all. And you are welcome. I love your paintings.

Notepad by the bed, eh, KBF?

Anonymous said...

Inspiration is often a guest who shows up unannounced, while you're changing the sheets and the room isn't ready.

Petrea Burchard said...

I think I hear you saying I need to change the sheets.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I hate to say it but running up against a deadline in a state of fear usually does the trick.

Petrea Burchard said...

Yes! I once knew a playwright who couldn't get the scenes finished until opening night loomed. His stuff was always good.

Ms M said...

May your inspiration take wings!

Petrea Burchard said...

Merci! Yours, too, Ms M.