Amaze Your Imagination

"'But it was hard for Will Silver to keep firm hands on herself, because small things - dragonflies, earwigs, sticks with peeling bark, warm rain, those wonderful curls of fur behind dogs' ears - they had a strange way of making time disappear.  She had wondered often if other people felt the same way, but had never been able to explain it properly, that feeling of sharpness and fullness. - Katherine Rundell, "Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms

A childlike fascination with nature captures the imagination. Shapes and scents, raindrops and breezes that lift the hair, excite awareness. By observing and making connections, words flow into life's delight. We forget to worry about what we cannot control.

Push into memories of discovering what happened the first time you saw the flick of a match.

Where did that fire burst hide before you enlivened it?  In Rundell's story, Will feels the magic of fire and says, "Look, Si. Like it's alive and it's also not really alive. Watch. It moves without wind." She blows sparks into the air, "It is amazing, isn't it Si?"

Recall times that you raced into rapture.

Search with imagination and insight for what you have not noticed.

Let a stick with peeling bark or rose petals draw you into an insect's perspective.

Become a sleuth for feelings of sharpness and fullness.

Amaze your imagination.

Chimera of Wonder

In Greek mythology, the Chimera a fire-breathing monster, sported a lion's head, goat's body and a dragon's tail. She terrorized inhabitants of Lycia until their king, Iobates, asked the hero Bellerophon to slay her. 
Iobates had an ulterior motive; his son-in-law wanted Bellerophon killed.  

The king felt certain the Chimera could do it. Bellerophon called on Pegasus, the winged horse and brought the Chimera down from the sky.

 

The creature lived on in the imagination of many. It also meant something fanciful, and less fierce.



Imagine an unrealized dream instead of a monster. 

Write to develop your chimera of wonder.

Chase Inspiration

The most frequent question writers are asked is some variant on, "Do you write every day or just wait for inspiration to strike?" I want to snarl, "Of course I write every day, what do you think I am, some kind of hobbyist?" But I understand the question is really about the central mystery - what is inspiration?"

- Hilary Mantel

Where do we find Inspiration? 




When it hides, chase it up a tree. 

Mine for its mystery in colors.

Explore the world with all the senses. 




Begin with a sound, add a scent, feel a movement. 

Continue with tickles and taste.

By this time you are on a journey of discovery. 

Inspiration has erupted.  

Then just write.