Inspiration for Worrisome Times

by Paula Gail Benson

During this time of uncertainty about the corona virus, it’s good to hear messages that encourage. Yesterday’s reading from my worship service (although the actual gathering was cancelled, the devotional materials were shared via email and social media) is a particularly relevant passage to consider. From the book of Romans, Chapter 5, Verses 3 through 5: “we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us.”

The words made me think about the situation the world now faces. The recommended progression is a good path to follow. When confronted with suffering, we find means to endure, which builds character and creates hope. And, hope is uplifting, relieving us from the suffering.

As I consider that process and realize it empowers us to deal with crisis, I can’t help but notice that it also is what I expect of a good story: that I’ll encounter fictional individuals who face challenges, figure out ways to overcome them, and, in doing so, become different individuals. For me, the story is best if it ends hopefully.

On Facebook, an author friend Warren Moore, posted a newspaper article from 1918 informing the citizens of Newberry, South Carolina, that all churches, schools, public meetings, and soda fountains in Newberry County were closed until further notice due to the Spanish influenza. Who could have imagined that just over 100 years later, we would be dealing with a similar situation?

While we socially distance and self-quarantine (would you have expected those words to be common place a month ago?), my hope is that we invest ourselves in the wonderful access we now have through the internet to remain in the world without exposing ourselves and others to harmful conditions. Let us find ways to learn and create while the health care professionals discover the answers to address this virus. And, let’s use our current means of maintaining contact at a distance to make certain all those we know are safe and not in need.

Read, write, and stay safe and healthy.

Turning to Other Writers for Inspiration

Turning to Other Writers for Inspiration by Linda Rodriguez (originally published on The Stiletto Gang-November 4, 2016)

Periodically, I get a little burned-out from working too long and hard without a break. I start to face resistance when I sit down to write. I have developed several techniques for dealing with this, but the first one I always try—and one that usually works—is to turn to what other writers have written about the trials and tribulations of writing.

So I look at what other writers have written about resistance, about finding themselves reluctant to sit down and write, even when that's what they most want to do. Many writers have written about this topic because this state is one that every writer finds herself or himself in sooner or later. As I go down the long list of writers who have written about this miserable place to find yourself, the first thing I encounter is a very wise statement from science fiction writer, Kameron Hurley.

"If I quit now I will soon go back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperate to get to where I am now." – Kameron Hurley

I realize, as I read, that the problem at bottom is always fear, no matter what else is also involved. Yes, I'm tired and need a little break and some recreational reading or activity that will help restore and replenish my well of creativity, but always, lurking for moments of exhaustion and weakness, is the writer's bane, fear. And I find a great writer there before me, as well.

"The work is greater than my fear." –Audre Lord

So, for the next time you find yourself burned-out and exhausted and coming up empty when you sit down to write here are more helpful quotations from writers about the process.

“Discipline is simply remembering what you want.” – Judith Claire Mitchell

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L'Amour

“Work is the only answer.” –Ray Bradbury

"A word after a word after a word is power."–Margaret Atwood

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” — Terry Pratchett

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying. ,,, This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us." – Steven Pressfield

Have you got some favorite quotations from writers that help you in such a situation?

Linda Rodriguez's book, Plotting the Character-Driven Novel, is based on her popular workshop. Her Skeet Bannon series featuring Cherokee campus police chief, Skeet Bannion includes Every Hidden Fear, Every Broken Trust, and Every Last Secret. She also is the author of several books of poetry. Linda has received critical recognition and awards, such as Malice Domestic Best First Novel, International Latino Book Award, Latina Book Club Best Book of 2014, Midwest Voices & Visions, Elvira Cordero Cisneros Award, Thorpe Menn Award, and Ragdale and Macondo fellowships. Her short story, “The Good Neighbor,” published in the anthology, Kansas City Noir, has been optioned for film. Find her on the web at http://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot.com.

What Inspires You?

by Sparkle Abbey

“All the effort in the world won’t matter if you’re not inspired.”―Chuck Palahniuk

Inspiration is everywhere. As writers, we are always looking for ways to be stirred to greatness... or at least to productivity. Inspiration drives actions. In our case, that means words on the blank page.

When we’re on deadline, as we are now, we don’t get to wait for inspiration to hit, we have to sit down and do the work. But that doesn’t mean we stop looking for ways to be inspired. 

We're moved by great books and entertaining movies. A photo of the sea or a road trip with our closest girl friends. A great conversation with differing viewpoints or a good laugh. 

Sometimes inspiration is as simple as remembering why we wanted a particular goal in the first place. Remembering the "why" can be pretty inspiring.

Other times you simply need a break in the action. We've heard it referred to as refilling the well, and that's truly what it feels like. Your inspiration and creativity has been depleted and you need to pause and refill.

We also love a good quote. Here are a few that have inspired us:

"I don't go by the rule book. I lead from the heart, not the head." - Princess Diana

“Don't waste time waiting for inspiration. Begin, and inspiration will find you." –  H. Jackson Brown, Jr.  

“I am not afraid of storms for I am learning to sail my ship.” – Louisa May Alcott

These are the things that inspire us, but we’re not all inspired by the same things or in the same ways. We'd love to hear what inspires you?

Mary Lee and Anita aka Sparkle Abbey

Here's a little more news from us:
We are busy working on books nine and ten in The Pampered Pets Mysteries. 

We just received word from our publisher that Raiders of the Lost Bark, book eight in the series, will soon be an ebook special so watch for that special pricing coming soon. 

Also, if you're missing any of our backlist this is a great time to catch up so you're ready for book eight. Details on all the titles are available here.

And if you want to make sure you're up on all the Sparkle Abbey news, stop by our website and sign up for updates at sparkleabbey.com.

Turning to Other Writers for Inspiration

by Linda Rodriguez

Periodically, I get a little burned-out from working too long and hard without a break. I start to face resistance when I sit down to write. I have developed several techniques for dealing with this, but the first one I always try—and one that usually works—is to turn to what other writers have written about the trials and tribulations of writing.

So I look at what other writers have written about resistance, about finding themselves reluctant to sit down and write, even when that's what they most want to do. Many writers have written about this topic because this state is one that every writer finds herself or himself in sooner or later. As I go down the long list of writers who have written about this miserable place to find yourself, the first thing I encounter is a very wise statement from science fiction writer, Kameron Hurley.

"If I quit now I will soon go back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperate to get to where I am now." – Kameron Hurley

I realize, as I read, that the problem at bottom is always fear, no matter what else is also involved. Yes, I'm tired and need a little break and some recreational reading or activity that will help restore and replenish my well of creativity, but always, lurking for moments of exhaustion and weakness, is the writer's bane, fear. And I find a great writer there before me, as well.

"The work is greater than my fear." –Audre Lord

So, for the next time you find yourself burned-out and exhausted and coming up empty when you sit down to write here are more helpful quotations from writers about the process.

“Discipline is simply remembering what you want.” – Judith Claire Mitchell

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” – Louis L'Amour

“Work is the only answer.” –Ray Bradbury

"A word after a word after a word is power."–Margaret Atwood

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” — Terry Pratchett

“The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying. ,,, This is the other secret that real artists know and wannabe writers don’t. When we sit down each day and do our work, power concentrates around us." – Steven Pressfield

Have you got some favorite quotations from writers that help you in such a situation?

Linda Rodriguez's book, Plotting the Character-Driven Novel, forthcoming Nov. 29, is based on her popular workshop. Every Family Doubt, her fourth mystery featuring Cherokee campus police chief, Skeet Bannion, is due in June, 2017. Her three earlier Skeet novels—Every Hidden Fear, Every Broken Trust, and Every Last Secret—and her books of poetry—Skin Hunger and Heart's Migration—have received critical recognition and awards, such as Malice Domestic Best First Novel, International Latino Book Award, Latina Book Club Best Book of 2014, Midwest Voices & Visions, Elvira Cordero Cisneros Award, Thorpe Menn Award, and Ragdale and Macondo fellowships. Her short story, “The Good Neighbor,” published in the anthology, Kansas City Noir, has been optioned for film. Find her on the web at http://lindarodriguezwrites.blogspot.com.