Inspiration Bit has a writing project going called Group Project: Source Of Inspiration. Vivienne asks these questions:
What do you turn to when you feel mundane? How do you lift your spirits when the work stresses you out? How do you get inspired when you feel passionless? What motivates you to strive for perfection?
She has no restrictions on the topic, so it can be about blogging, web & graphic design/programming, photography, life & work. The deadline is Thursday, May 24th, and links to all entries will be published on May 26th.
Hmmm? Nothing is quite so inspiring as being handed a topic into which one can sink the teeth. This topic is one that engages my mind. As a writer and storyteller, I struggle with finding that spark of inspiration every day. I’m sure that all of y’all know exactly what I mean.
Not all topics will do that, of course. Sometimes being handed a very specific topic seems to freeze my brain processes. It makes me feel as if I’m back in High School with Miz Le Beau staring at me over the top of her glasses as I sit at my desk nervously chewing my pencil. I bet y’all had a “Miz Le Beau” in your own life. She was an excellent teacher, though not very “warm,” and she demanded no less than your best. She also wanted it “now!”
Today, I want to name that which does not inspire me. One thing in particular that seems to cause my brain to go into shutdown is being handed a “Me..me…me” meme. If the meme asks me to name ten random things about myself, and I get to choose the topics, I can get creative. I can tell you as much or as little as I want you to know, and I can slant it from any perspective. If the meme is about a non-personal topic, I can do the same. When that meme asks for specifics about family or my past, it’s treading on ground I don’t want to cover (and you don’t really want to know!).
If you really do want to know about me, it’s all over the blog. Every story I write has a piece of me in it. I have a contact page AND a “wishlist” where I wrote all the things I would like to do, but probably never will. You can find links to those in the top right hand side of the page.
Now, I’m not saying “never” to memes! I’ve done them. I participate in Thursday Thirteen every week. Jessica the Rock Chick asked me to open my purse and spill the contents, and I did. Jennymcb tagged me in Chinese Freeze Tag, and I answered. That ought to be enough about MEMEME right there. So, I’ll make a deal with all of y’all: I won’t link a meme to you without asking you first if you want to do it. And, you do the same for me. OK?
With that burden off my chest, what does inspire me?
Well, I’ll tell you about that tomorrow. Right now, you go consider writing your own post about what inspires you so we can all help each other.
Other posts you might enjoy:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Shelly, thank you so much for promoting this group writing project. Look forward to your and others entries.
I’m with you on meme tagging. I should announce the same on my blog, or maybe add it to my About page
That’s assuming anyone actually reads the “about” page, Vivienne. I am looking forward to seeing all the entries, too. It should be quite interesting! Thank you for having it!~skt
I know what you mean about the importance of getting notified before you get tagged. I have missed a lot of tags just because I was too busy to visit some friends’ sites in the past.
I think memes are interesting. Especially when they are like this writing prompt you’ve given us. I may take my crack at it. I’m very into motivational writing/speaking/hugging etc. Ever hear of Leo Buscgalia (sp?) he was dang cool.
But alas I digress . . .
Digression is the “stuff” of new blog posts!
I like to read memes that other people write, but they really do stop me dead in my tracks. I only want to tell you what I want you to know lol. It’s not that I want to stop the fun. But, I don’t send on the chain mail letters, either (hint: don’t send me one!). Could that be why karma kicks my butt?~skt
Hi Shelly,
Its little things like this that keep me going….
FAT BLOKE GETS FIT!: Keeping positive!
Love your blog – will check back regularly.
I hope you do, and I will visit you and keep cheerleading for you!~skt
Cool. I wrote something. It gave me a chance to reflect on those days when I lack inspiration as a teacher. It’s not always easy to get motivated at those times. Writing this meme (is it a meme technically? or a submission for posts? I dunno) helped me to explore that and I came up with a great little post I think. See, your site is proving a good influence on me already! What was that about serendipity?
Teaching, Inspiration, and Rock ‘n Roll
I linked you on the front page. I don’t know that an extra link helps…but there you go. I like your take on it! And, I don’t know how you can keep writing with a baby about to appear!~skt
I’ll check out the project on Source of Inspiration. Good finds as always SKT.
Asking before tagging can be equated with notifying persons who you’ll be giving as a reference for a job.
If I decide to participate and post a WW or TT, it will be for my regular readers only. I’m not going to be posting my URL on Mr. Linky anywhere soon for VOMM. I’m finding these are only eating my precious time from some great posts that I’ve been meaning to share.
Tuesday’s post…”The advertisement though serene with its cascading waterfalls, desert plants, and boulders surrounding the mountainside pool brings me back to a place of….”
Glad I can send y’all to some places that are “sources of inspiration!” I look forward to seeing what you write.~skt
http://growingwithjulia.blogspot.com/2007/05/please-god-bless-mess.html
My Source of Inspiration is posted on Growing with Julia, “Please God, Bless The Mess!”
Thank you! I also gave you a shout on VOMM.
Thank YOU! I’ve added your link, too.~skt