Waiting for inspiration

Every author and aspiring author writes at a different pace. I’m constantly amazed how fast people whip out their first draft, whereas I tend to get so hung up on the nearly tangible vision of my story and the complexity of the details that will pull it all together that I often struggle moving forward when something isn’t flowing quite right.

Recently while writing a scene that would start the wind up of a mini climax in my WIP I screeched to a dead halt. My character wouldn’t speak to me. I could feel the tension from trying to force him to do or say something that I wasn’t sure he would.

It occurred to me that I didn’t know him as well as I had thought, so I explored him further; writing his back story (which lead to the inspiration of my sequel), and even talking to him out loud and asking him all sorts of questions.

Through this process I now feel I know him every bit as well as I know my brother, better in fact, however I still couldn’t move forward; as everything needs to flow from this moment in my story I didn’t feel that skipping forward was an option so I waited for inspiration to strike.

Days turned into weeks.

This lengthy pause in my progression had me working on other things, and even on my knees yet somehow I knew something would hit me sooner or later.
And then it did one morning, for no reason in the world. Standing in my bathroom I was struck with a vision. Not of the character I had been struggling with but the one he was with; the one that has been standing there waiting for a response from him as long as I have.
My vision was about my main character taking a moment to absorb her surroundings and give into them, to finally accept who she is. I realized that these characters weren't having an ordinary conversation it was an acclimation of belonging for her. And this new revelation sent things back in motion for me, though in a different angle. A better one.

I don’t know why it took so long for this, now seemingly obvious direction to come to me. Perhaps I had been so focused on my male character that my mind couldn’t allow any other possibilities. Or perhaps sometimes inspiration needs time and patience to strike at the moment that your own life experiences can open it up to you.

This experience has taught me something.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to go at my own slower pace. It works for me. And I know eventually I will get my book done and it will be everything I want it to be.

I’m grateful for the people in my life who inspire me in all aspects, including the Chicks and bloggers out there expressing them selves through script. But most of all I’m grateful to my Father in Heaven who inspires me the most, even if I have to wait for it.

Thank you,

The Mythical Chick