copyright 07/02/2013
For a long long time I thought inspiration was something which resulted in a notable invention, a great work of art, social movement or something else of great importance. That is not always the case. In fact, it is rarely the case. We are inspired all time in little ways to do little things. And little things matter a lot. A lot of little things make a lot. Most of the time though, we don't see the lot, the little things just make us happy.
Since I've been blogging I realize you all inspire me - all the time - both bloggers and commenters. When daiseyfae mentioned "nature or nurture" on her blog, I thought of that concept, it had been years. Since my children are long since grown, I wondered if I had new thoughts about it and that is still percolating. When Waffle mentioned goatherd, it resulted in the goatherd blog. So I needed a word. What would be wrong with inspirator? Turns out nothing, it is a word with dual meaning. According to Merriam-Webster, it was first used in 1624. There are no details as to where and when it was used and no opinions as to what was used prior to 1624.
I bet there was something. I can't imagine Columbus woke up one day and said, "hey, I think I'm gonna sail west and see the edge of the world. See what's there. Monsters and such or a void. You know, just 'cause I'm bored or whatever." Nah, this didn't happen. He had an inspirator. I'm betting Ma and Pa Columbus would have liked to slap this inspirator guy silly but that's neither here nor there. Undoubtedly this voyage was the culmination of many inspirations, one building on the other until one day it resulted in a belief. A new fantastically hard to believe belief but nevertheless true. Now, after that digression, I'll get back to talking about blogging and inspirators and the point I was going to make... I think I was going to make a point and I'm guessing you'll be pissed if I don't.
All of this stuff we write, both blogs and comments that run the gamut from silly to profound (often enough where we say outrageous things trying to be funny) is thought of as just entertainment. But folks, it is real stuff, not something conjured up by a group of writers to get ratings based on studies of what gets ratings. It is things we think, wonder and ponder over. It is little things but in total makes a lot because bit by bit, we think and we learn and we grow. This is my way of saying thanks to all you inspirators out there.
8 comments:
Have you read "The Redemption of Christopher Columbus"? I think the start of the title is 'Pastwatch". Orson Scott Card wrote it, maybe in the '90's. Part of it deals with his motivations. It's fiction, but pretty well-written.
I have not. Have only seen documentaries about Columbus. My handle should be "Should Read More." I'm reading "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" right now and fairly close to the end. Takes me forever. The parts that are good I relish - think about and such. The slow parts...well, it's just a page or two at a time.
Ah, re-reading the classics. Sometimes a good idea. I'm currently (couple chapters a week) on 'Tom Jones'.....and he's slipping in stature.
I wish I could say re-reading but truthfully there were many years when I was working that I read almost nothing. That was followed by more years than I care to admit of online gaming (addicted) so I'm playing catch up now.
One cannot underestimate the value of commenters to a blogger.
So true Lorna! If it weren't for the comments I seriously doubt I would be blogging. As Gorilla Bananas said, you might as well be writing a diary.
I have tried writing a diary/journal, and it didn't last. One thing that hurts me a great deal is writer's block. I may have a lot to say on any given topic, but so much explanation is involved that I don't want to start writing. Or the true writer's block in which I don't feel I have anything to say. With all of the installments of Bugsy I can see that writer's block is not a problem that you have.
Lorna, I can't always write. Sometimes I'll write a sentence and leave it. Sometimes, parts of sentences or maybe a paragraph. There are times when the writing seems to flow and then I can't type fast enough. But that is the least common.
The computer has been great for me with the complex idea problem. I think that's what you were referring to about having so much explanation. Copy, cut, paste. I do a lot of moving things around that was just impossible with pen and paper. Your first draft doesn't have to suit you, just get your ideas written down.
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