Inspiration

Inspiration is a fickle thing. A lot of people write about it in rhapsodic and often schmaltzy terms, making it sound a lot more wonderful than it actually is. Personally, I get a lot of ideas, all day long, about all sorts of things. But not always how and when I want them. 

Being creative can drive me absolutely mad sometimes. Sometimes, when I’m in the middle of, say, math, I’ll get a wonderful idea about a novel I could write and I have to abandon 2√x±4y and scribble it down on whatever paper-like surface happens to be nearby so I don't forget it. This, needless to say, can be very annoying. And when I’ve got all my homework done for the day and have sat down in front of the piano to finish the walking base motif I’ve been thinking about all day, NOTHING HAPPENS. Inspiration, that flighty, easily offended creature, has abandoned me in my hour of need.

So how should you deal with inspiration coming at inopportune moments? I’ve found it’s helpful to carry around a notebook and small pen or pencil with me wherever I go. I keep sticky notes, a tape recorder and a pencil by my bed in case I have an idea late at night. As soon as I get an idea for anything, I record it. Even if I never use that particular idea, at least writing it down gets creative juices flowing, which may lead to other, even better ideas.

I know everyone says this, but inspiration can be found anywhere. I once got an idea for my NaNoWriMo novel by noticing that my piano teacher’s pen was running out of ink. Once I was in the laundry room, and very randomly I began humming. Now I’m in the process of turning the melody I was humming into a jazz piece for piano. As long as you keep your eyes open and let your mind wander, inspiration will eventually strike. Very unfortunately, at about age 12 it becomes uncool to be curious about everything and ask questions. Personally, I don’t really spend a lot of time being cool anyway, so that’s not an issue for me. If you stay curious, you stay creative.

As you read this, I will be in New Mexico in the wilderness. Maybe I’m hiking, riding a horse, shooting a rifle, or collapsing in a tired heap after hiking ten miles up and down a mountain in the heat all day while carrying a twenty-pound pack (don't you just love Scouting?). Whatever I’m doing, I hope that I’ll use that experience in my art someday. 

Good luck finding the inspiration for the things that you like to do!

~Naddie Boyne