Imagination, Passions, Inspiration – Tools Each Writer Has Inside

by Tim Suddeth @TimSuddeth

I’ve been sharing some resources that writers can find helpful: whether they are books, websites, conferences, etc. There are numerous resources coming out each day.

Today, I want to write about some resources we all have inside of us. I hear writers complain all the time (sometimes it’s me) that they don’t have any talent or, I’m not as talented as so-and-so. That is never the question.

The award doesn’t go to the most talented, but to the one that tells the story the best or gets the message across. The reader or the listener determines the result. We are always in a process of improving.

I am often my own worse critic. After I’ve finished speaking or writing, I am positive that it was terrible and no one liked it. “I just want to go in the backyard and eat some worms.”

Then some time passes and I realize, it could have been better, but I won’t be arrested or publicly flogged at dawn. Unless it’s by an Amazon reviewer.

Inside each of us, God has put tools that we can use as writers or speakers. Few of us can argue that they don’t have them, because we see kids use them in play every day. We may just be out of practice.

Tools God Has Given Each One of Us

1. Imagination: Merriam-Webster defines this as the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality. Sounds like my childhood. I spent so much time hunting with Daniel Boone or guarding our backyard with General Patton. I don’t know why the Germans were so determined to get into our backyard.

The imagination helps us in two ways. It helps create a story that engages our audience’s senses. We respond differently to a list of facts then we do to a tale that shows us the action and the person’s responses and feelings.

It also helps identify with our audience. When I started writing for The Write Conversation, Edie suggested a particular person she imagines when she writes so she could tailor her posts to her readers.

2. Passion: A strong liking, desire for, or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.

My wife is a passionate doll collector. She recently did a phone interview for an article she’s writing for a magazine. Her call lasted over an hour, and I heard a lot of laughter coming from the back room.

She loves dolls, and specifically the dolls this lady ‘reborns’. When my wife asked her questions, she went beyond the surface and the artist told her so much more because of the excitement she showed.

I heard long ago, if you don’t care, why should your audience? Can you find something in your subject that makes you interested?

3. Inspiration: The action or power of moving the intellect or emotions.

We call it inspiration or the muse. Often we use it as an excuse. “I just don’t feel inspired today.”

William Faulkner is credited for saying, “I only write when inspiration strikes. Fortunately it strikes at nine every morning.”

Inspiration isn’t something we necessarily wait for. When we say that, we usually mean we are waiting on a word from God. Inspiration to a writer is an idea that they can work on with their imagination and craft.

Inspiration is like training at a gym. You can’t pick your best moments. The only way to unveil your great ideas is to put in the work, day after day.

Writing is scary and hard. That blank page can be more frightening than Godzilla. We are all at different levels of gifts and ability.

Inside each of us, God has put tools we need to connect with our readers.

And inside each of us, God has placed a story.

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Tim Suddeth has been published in Guideposts’ The Joy of Christmas and on www.christiandevotions.us. He’s working on his third manuscript and looks forward to seeing his name on a cover. He is a member of ACFW and Cross n Pens. Tim’s lives in Greenville, SC with his wife, Vickie, and his happy 19-year-old autistic son, Madison.  Visit Tim at www.TiminGreenville.com and on Facebook and Twitter. He can be also reached at timingreenville@gmail.com.