I love this because Doty is saying that inspiration is all around us. Even amongst the mundane - if we open our eyes we will see it. If we take the time to listen - we will hear it. We never know when or where it may come, but it will be there waiting for us to discover it.
I particularly like this quote from Annie Dillard:
"Why do you never find anything written about that idiosyncratic thought you advert to, about your fascination with something no one else understands? Because it is up to you."
This is close to my heart because I write about art and music that inspires, motivates, and moves me. Art that emanates from the soul and speaks honestly about the human condition and life in all of its many beautiful, ugly, painfully visceral complexities, excites and inspires me. These are the stories I wish to paint and write about.
My journey as a writer is to try and find connections with the art that we make and why it speaks to me. I am hopeful that along the way, others will take the time to go down that journey with me.
Thank you for sharing Doty, Dillard, and your thoughts with us, Deborah. I appreciate this space you have created.
PS: The next time I am in Seattle I will visit Pike Place Market to seek inspiration amongst the fruit, veg, and flowers (I'm vegan, so the fish on ice might not speak as deeply to me as they did for Doty). 😊
I'm pleased this spoke to you, Michael. I think we are on the same wavelength. I too am creating a space where I can write about the art and poetry and music that inspires me as well as share my own stories and creative efforts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiration here.
Doty’s poem is beautifully written as is your thoughtful essay, Deborah. I found his approach interesting, but it’s not the one that works best for me. In my formative years as a writer, I came across an interview with poet Richard Wilbur, who described the source of his poems like this: “I see something on the outside that reminds me of something on the inside, and that’s the something I write about.”
As soon as I heard him say it, I knew that it was a path forward for me. I want to know what my soul wants to talk about, and that resonance between the outer and inner worlds provides a very powerful trigger for me. I know it’s also equally powerful to reach the interior through probing and searching for the things we come back to, but I benefit from the inverse route I’ve described. Hope this answer to your question makes sense. Thanks for writing this deeply thoughtful piece.
Thank you, Andrew. That Wilbur quote resonates with me too. That connection between the inner and outer world is is a powerful trigger for me too. I am so glad you came here and shared your thoughts about what inspires you to write. And thank you for the kind words, always a huge encouragement for me to continue doing what I'm doing.
I love this because Doty is saying that inspiration is all around us. Even amongst the mundane - if we open our eyes we will see it. If we take the time to listen - we will hear it. We never know when or where it may come, but it will be there waiting for us to discover it.
I particularly like this quote from Annie Dillard:
"Why do you never find anything written about that idiosyncratic thought you advert to, about your fascination with something no one else understands? Because it is up to you."
This is close to my heart because I write about art and music that inspires, motivates, and moves me. Art that emanates from the soul and speaks honestly about the human condition and life in all of its many beautiful, ugly, painfully visceral complexities, excites and inspires me. These are the stories I wish to paint and write about.
My journey as a writer is to try and find connections with the art that we make and why it speaks to me. I am hopeful that along the way, others will take the time to go down that journey with me.
Thank you for sharing Doty, Dillard, and your thoughts with us, Deborah. I appreciate this space you have created.
PS: The next time I am in Seattle I will visit Pike Place Market to seek inspiration amongst the fruit, veg, and flowers (I'm vegan, so the fish on ice might not speak as deeply to me as they did for Doty). 😊
I'm pleased this spoke to you, Michael. I think we are on the same wavelength. I too am creating a space where I can write about the art and poetry and music that inspires me as well as share my own stories and creative efforts. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and inspiration here.
Doty’s poem is beautifully written as is your thoughtful essay, Deborah. I found his approach interesting, but it’s not the one that works best for me. In my formative years as a writer, I came across an interview with poet Richard Wilbur, who described the source of his poems like this: “I see something on the outside that reminds me of something on the inside, and that’s the something I write about.”
As soon as I heard him say it, I knew that it was a path forward for me. I want to know what my soul wants to talk about, and that resonance between the outer and inner worlds provides a very powerful trigger for me. I know it’s also equally powerful to reach the interior through probing and searching for the things we come back to, but I benefit from the inverse route I’ve described. Hope this answer to your question makes sense. Thanks for writing this deeply thoughtful piece.
Thank you, Andrew. That Wilbur quote resonates with me too. That connection between the inner and outer world is is a powerful trigger for me too. I am so glad you came here and shared your thoughts about what inspires you to write. And thank you for the kind words, always a huge encouragement for me to continue doing what I'm doing.