I’m deciding to categorize my blog posts a little differently this year, so that maybe you can learn a little bit more about me instead of just getting “lectured” to about the creative process. I consider myself a fantastic teacher – yes, I’m just that confident – but that can get stale after awhile. So why not get personal, and I’ll begin every blog post title about personal anecdotes or stories with that word. Without further adieu, I’ll discuss what inspires me the most: Subpar work.
Now that may sound like a joke but nothing inspires me more than seeing the production of below average pieces of art. 😂I know that may seem cruel or even elitist, but truth be told, when I’m watching, reading or listening to something, honestly anything, and it makes me think I could do a better job with the little bit of resources I have, I can instantly hit the page and starting writing. I don’t feel this way about every piece of bad media I come across, but when it is exceptionally bad and not even hard to fix, I’m already fixing it in my head, then suddenly I’m at my computer halfway done with a script or a chapter. It pushes me to prove something about the industry, creativity and my own abilities. If I think I’m so great or it’s so simple, prove it.
Now I don’t actually think I’m so great. I’m sure many of my works will be torn to shreds by professionals and novices alike, but that’s not the point. It’s not about actually being more talented than the people I’m judging; I just have the strongest urge to create after engaging with such art. And to be honest, procrastination hits hard sometimes, draining motivation and purpose. But perusing subjectively awful media also generates my desire to read, watch or listen to art I’m not seeing in the mainstream, thusly putting the responsibility on me. Of course, it isn’t my responsibility nor do I have any guarantee my work would get picked up, let alone sell, but unlike critics, analysts and the like that often judge art but can’t perform or create it, I can have the same judgments but do something about it. And I’m sorry, but that fills my cup.
I get inspired by the usual things too: good art, innovations in tech, new political and social causes, but goodness! When something crosses my path and everyone agrees it doesn’t add anything to pop culture, it may even be destroying it, I’m drawn to prove a point in opposition or affirmation of that take. It’s the instant spark to my brain for creativity, like getting pinched out of a bad dream.
So for me, sometimes getting out of writer’s block doesn’t involve re-reading my favorite stories or watching the greats talk about their process. Nope! Sometimes, I just open an app or streaming service and look for the bottom of the barrel. I may never name what specifically inspired certain stories I write, but know, more than likely, it was someone’s hilariously substandard work.
SJ Wrytes 