Insecure Writers’
Support Group
What
inspires me?
Is intrigue
the same as inspiration? Many things absorb me, the veining on a dragonfly’s
wings, the stamens in a flower, the reason for an overheard small child’s
giggles, or, more worryingly, its screams.
I am in
awe listening to experts speak with such authority on their subjects, yet in
the simplest terms that anyone can understand. Maybe I could have been such an
expert if . . . and so daydreams begin and sometimes develop and search for a framework.
Whatifery
is important, for through that, and Whataboutery, we explore and expand our
thoughts, our views, our desires.
Sometimes
we even manage to express them in coherent terms.
And why
did I change I for we?
I loved reading your post on inspirations, Jab! (May I call you Jab? I didn't get your name) My favourite line, and possibly an inspiration I will add to my list: an overheard small child's giggles, or more worryingly, its screams! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shilpa - happy to inspire, even if inadvertently;-)
DeleteI'm Janice, by the way.
We not I?
ReplyDeleteA desire not to seem too self-centred?
Or
A need to feel part of a community?
Either or both - I favour both ;-)
DeleteI found whatifery useful to expand history students' minds. Eg what if the wind blew the other way and the Spanish Armada had landed safely in Britain?
ReplyDeleteExactly so - it's all chance . . . or is it?
ReplyDeleteWe would all be speaking Spanish and eating paella... or maybe not. The local lingo and cuisine has been remarkably resilient over the centuries, absorbing any new input like an amoeba swallowing up a smaller bacteria, and adopting some of its DNA...
DeleteThat's why our language is so rich and varied. The cuisine has improved, too, although 'our' versions may bear little resemblance to the original inspiration.
DeleteHi Janice!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've tackled the monthly question.
Unique and creative.
Thank you, Michelle - desperation lends wings to composition. ;-)
Delete"Whatifery" -- love that term!
ReplyDeleteLanguage has to evolve ;-)
DeleteHi, Janice! I'm happy to know your name! I certainly think intrigue and inspiration are connected. I am often intrigued by things and that leads me to writing about them, especially in my blog posts. I enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteYou changed from I to we because we are writers and as such, likeminded beings. Thanks for visiting my blog, Janice. It's very nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely explanation. It's very nice to meet you, too.
DeleteI love the two new words: whatifery and whataboutery!
ReplyDeleteI like them, too.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely and thoughtful post, and whatifery and whataboutery have promptly been added to my vocabulary! xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ann x
DeleteI dunno. A child's screams is a pretty obvious sign. A giggle could mean ANYTHING, and is far more worrisome. :-/
ReplyDeleteScreams of delight or fear?
ReplyDelete