Goals and Drives: The Push-Pull of Planning and Inspiration in Writing
October 20th 2009 21:30
"Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives." (Viktor Frankl)
Some of the wisest observations about life have an uncanny way of applying not just to life in general but to specific, narrow segments of it. For example, if we substitute "writing" for "life" in the above quote, we'll see just how true this statement is.
Inspiration: Driven to Write
Many of us write because we feel driven to write, because writing is such an integral part of our intellectual makeup that we can hardly imagine not writing. In fact, putting pen to paper—or hands to keyboard—comes as naturally to us as breathing. And in one sense at least, for us writing is breathing, because when we write, we freely inhale the crisp, clear air of expansive thought before exhaling a stream of ideas, fully formed, to the world. That's why the highest form of this unbounded inflow of ideas is called Inspiration.
Planning and Goals: When Inspiration Tarries
Our inner drive to express ourselves through the written word does much to motivate us in our quest to have our ideas heard, to influence others, to make our mark on society, to earn recognition, and yes, even to change the world. Yet, the Inspiration that fuels that drive often eludes us—particularly in the early stages of the creative process. And this is where the pull of goals can spur us on, drawing us forward and giving us the impetus to begin writing and to stay with the task until Inspiration deigns to visit us.
Bridging the Gap Between Goals and Inspiration
This is such an important lesson for writers to learn. Though Inspiration is certainly the ideal for which we continually strive, it may sometimes be a luxury for which we simply cannot wait. When deadlines loom or personal projects seem stalled, we often must depend on the conscious goals we've previously set for our work to keep us on track and prevent us from giving up. Then, as we allow the magnetic attraction of our personal or professional plans to lure us forward, we so often find our project suddenly picking up speed—gaining forward thrust, if you will—as the subconscious motivator called Inspiration gradually kicks in and begins actively propelling us toward our deliberately orchestrated outcome.
Recognizing the Value of Planning
Our favorite writing times, of course, are those where Inspiration is our early visitor, coming upon us unannounced and uninvited—and particularly when this well-loved yet often fickle visitor's influence precedes, or even initiates, a project. Yet, it's wonderful to know that even when Inspiration tarries, we always have our old friend Planning to get us on our way!
While Inspiration may be our closest friend, let's not ignore our loyal sidekick Planning, who will always be there, standing quietly in the wings, patiently waiting to help us achieve our literary goals.
To goals and inspiration!
Jeanne
What have you discovered about goals and drives, planning and inspiration, as you've traveled your own writing path?
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Comment by Brad Shorr
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
It can be difficult to achieve "inspiration on demand"--but what a worthy goal! I believe it IS achievable, too, as we gradually learn the best ways to coax our minds and imaginations into "The Zone," where creativity happens, and to do it more-or-less at will. It takes focus, energy, thought, and visualization--but I believe that, with a bit of self-discipline, we can train ourselves to slip into creativity mode when needed. This is such an important skill for a writer to develop, because even when faced with deadlines, we still must provide quality work.
Blocking off specific times for writing is a great way to begin developing the self-discipline needed to achieve that, so I think you're way ahead of the game! It's one great way to allow your goals to provide the "pull" until the inspiration kicks in to provide the "push" that can drive your projects through to successful completion.
Thanks for sharing this critical part of your writing journey with us!
Jeanne
Comment by AmyHuang
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Gosh, motivation and inspiration is what I need right now I have been so lack with my writing it's becoming not funny!
I certainly have a major gap between my goal and inspiration... *sigh*
Comment by Jeanne Dininni
Writer's Notes
I understand exactly what you're going through, and I can definitely sympathize! The truth is that no matter how much we may love to write, it can be difficult to overcome our inertia and get started, because, after all, writing is work--and often it's hard work. That's why setting goals is so important. Yet, moving from goals to action is another thing entirely, isn't it?
That's why it can come in handy to use some helpful little technique to get us going. Anything that can get us started is good. For example, jotting down a few ideas for our article or story, researching some aspect of our topic online, or even just beginning to write somewhere in the middle of the piece--anywhere it suits our fancy at the moment--can all help us overcome inertia and begin building the momentum that can tide us over until inspiration kicks in.
They key, really, is to get started. I know that's hard to do when we're not feeling particularly inspired, but sometimes that's the only way to get inspired. As we work, our topic, story, or some other aspect of our project will often help inspire us; so, if we never get started, we'll never reach that point!
Sometimes, too, it helps to just take a moment out to visualize what we hope to accomplish through our writing--to think of a larger goal than the single task before us. Developing this kind of vision for ourselves as writers can really help cement our resolve to tackle the task at hand as a means of fulfilling that larger creative vision.
Hope that's helpful!
Jeanne