In the Absence of Inspiration

Writing in the absence of inspiration, motivation, urgency, or expectation is one of the hardest things I am having to overcome.  I don't write because I lack the desire but desire counts for very little in the context of my day, minutes ticking on towards different things, other expectations, and pressing priorities displace writing as a necessity and presently it is left undone.  I must learn to write in spite of it all.

I am trying to rebuild my morning routine, clinging to those moments before I have to get ready for work in earnest.  It is a generally peaceful time of the day.  In this season the Christmas tree is up and the soft glow of the white lights on our modest tree offers a measure of comfort.  Today I am joined by my 18 month old, snacking on bread and wandering around the house, checking in with me periodically to grab at the computer or reach for my coffee or pull himself into my lap.  Little distractions that are hard to tune out but happen in the course of a day, week, month...

It has occurred to me that inspiration comes at different times within the process of writing.  It comes of its own accord, out of the blue, and strikes a deep chord of thought and energy or it transpires within the process itself, as a result of discipline and mental exercise, a writer (or any disciplined artist) conjures inspiration as a result of dedication and discipline to their craft.  I think that inspiration is best served in the context of the disciplined artist, for my part, when I am inspired in a dry season of writing, I have no way of channeling the inspiration into a days work, there is no foundation upon which I can apply it.  But within a discipline/dedication to the craft of writing, when inspiration comes, it is a great release.  There is a sense  that every word is pre-written and I am simply a liaison between the story and the page and as it runs its course writing is easy and effortless and fulfilling.  In the absence of inspiration writing is a like trying to let your own blood--painful and seemingly useless.

I am on the road to create a new discipline of writing, if I sound like a skipping record it is because I am focused on this task of writing daily in spite of life's distractions.  In the absence of inspiration or not, I am committed to writing.