The Letter I in the world of words are usually associated with inspiration. Personally, I am tired of hearing it, reading about it, and trying to explain to new writers that inspiration is nothing more than an excuse not to write. So today the letter I is for instinct.
I started my writing life as a pantser (someone who writes without planning anything about the story), and I have to say that it worked well for me. There are some drawbacks, as there are with being a planner, but overall no problems for me.
But as I became more experienced, I realised that there is a golden middle way that eliminates some of the negatives associated with pantsing, it is called plantsing. Not too original I grant you, but it has added another level of creativity to my stories which I didn't expect at all: instinct.
Doing the planning around the setting and characters of my stories, allows those details to sink into my subconscious. The information is there, a part of my creative mind, and no longer requires the rational part of my brain to take such an active role in the writing process. I can now trust my gut, my instincts, as I write the words of my story. The details are embedded so the creative energies can flow uninhibited, without overthinking every word or detail.
Is this inspiration? Nope. People waiting for inspiration don't do anything until the muse whacks them upside the head. Instinct, to me, is more fundamental. I cannot not write, or be creative in some way since I also like to draw. Fundamentals don't need to wait for inspiration to act. It is in itself a driving force for the creative side of me to get its voice heard, and its desires to be acted upon.
Instinct or inspiration? I know which one I will listen to every time.
That's a real good point you made about instinct vs. inspiration. To paraphrase Woody Allen, 80% of writing is just showing up. You're not showing up if you're waiting for some magic moment.
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