Into the Fire

Inspiration comes and goes. Some people keep it fueled for long seasons. Others grasp onto it for the here and now and then watch it slip away like a foggy morning. No use in categorizing it or trying to explain its appearance or its disappearance. I’m sure there are things we can do to squelch or hinder it, and very possibly for some, there are things that can be done to coax it back, but I suspect that would be much like trying to bribe a cat.

Sustaining the creative compulsion is a challenge. When little affirmation comes our way and even less reason to continue writing with no cognizant evidence of progress, we can feel played out in this game of storytelling.

Writing itself begins to assert its fiendish side. Snarling and cynical, words fall onto the page with hints of venom and snark. The wit with a bite crunches down on our faux-favorite topics and shakes them about with a hint of vengeance.

Resentment rides the high waves of meager accomplishments and drives through the curl poised over our pens with less than noble intentions. No surprise the pen flips us into the ocean of doubt and regret.

The reckoning comes when a particular scene, word, name, character, expression, metaphor, or plot point surges to the surface filling us with a fresh breath, and we jump aboard the writing process anew. The previous wave’s played out by now, but there’s a new one behind it, even bigger.

The Lord God Almighty gets all the credit for reviving our feeble efforts to continue this gig known as “authoring”. He is inspiration. Apart from Him, it doesn’t exist. Sad to see so few acknowledge the Source of their abilities.

If you’re played out, go to the Source and ask for help. There’s no better way to get back in the game.

Jesus, it’s all about you.