Author Insight: Wait on the muse or kinap her...

Do you write when you're inspired, or do you write to get inspired?

"I write because I love it--and because it is my job. Inspiration comes--the writing must go on even when doubts creep in."- Elizabeth Scott, author of Grace.

"Both." - Heidi Kling, author of Sea.

"I write every day, so inspiration comes and goes. For me, the only way I can work is if I show up every day and put in the work, whether or not the inspiration is there." - Scott Tracey, author of Witch Eyes.

"I can't go too long without writing. If I do, I feel off balance, kind of icky. However, I can't start on a new idea until I get sparks from it." - Danielle Joseph, author of Indigo Blues.

"It all starts from inspiration, and inspiration comes in random forms – a photograph, a memory, a word, something I see while walking down a road. But all the inspiration in the world can’t help you if you don’t sit your butt down in the chair and sweat it out, one page at a time." - Margaret Stohl, co-author of Beautiful Creatures.

"I prefer to write when I'm inspired. Sadly, writing doesn't fill the tank but rather empties it. I get inspired from reading, watching movies, or talking to friends." - Swati Avashti, author of Split.

"Neither! I'd have to say that I don't really believe in inspiration in the traditional sense; I've worked as a computer science lab aide for my college, and if the students in my classes claimed they couldn't code because they 'weren't inspired,' the reply would be laughter and, 'Try harder!' Because of course programming, like writing, requires creativity, planning, and problem-solving, which is why I think my brain shouldn't get away with slacking off when I'm trying to write a novel rather than a program." - Karen Kincy, author of Other.

"If I waited to be inspired, I think I'd just wind up watching nine hours of Youtube and baking lots of oatmeal cookies. I'm definitely one of those people who just has to sit down at the same time every day and say to myself, 'I am doing work now.'" - Brenna Yovanoff, author of The Replacement.

"Both. I used to only write when I was inspired, but that meant it took about 4 years to write a book. I realized that I needed to show up and do the writing even when I’m not in the groove—and eventually the inspiration follows." - Bree Despain, author of The Dark Divine.

"I definitely write to get inspired. I can – and have to – pick up my laptop at any point in the day from any point in a manuscript and write. I write even when I don’t want to write, or when a scene I’m working on is too much for me." - Courtney Allison Moulton, author of Angelfire.

"I write when I have time. I have kids and a day job, so I have to snatch moments when I can. I think inspiration is a little bit about dreaming and a whole lot about getting my ass in the chair. But mostly, inspiration is a lucky accident." - Diana Pharaoh Francis, author of Bitter Night.

"I write on my designated writing days. If I'm not inspired when I begin, I do usually become inspired as the day goes on. Improving my scenes is the most satisfying work I can imagine." - Mindi Scott, author of Freefall.

"Depends on my deadlines" - Diana Peterfreund, author of Rampant.

"I need to write often or I'll start to get scared that I can't do it anymore, which makes jumping back in really intimidating. If I'm feeling inspired, I work as much as I can, but if I've been in a slump, I really have to force myself to write to get out of it." - Anastasia Hopcus, author of Shadow Hills.

"I write when I’m inspired, but I can make myself inspired. I have a to-do list of things I need to accomplish every day. I usually write linearly, but if a bunch of depressing and/or emotional scenes are on my to-do list and I am in a puppies-and-rainbows mood, I’ll write the happy(er) scenes instead, to run with it. " - Michelle Hodkin, author of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer.

"Both. I can’t count on being inspired to write; I have two young kids at home, so I have to write when I have time, not when my muse visits! And yes, writing makes me feel unlike anything else I do. I think it must be how marathoners feel when they achieve that runner’s high. (Notice the 'must be.' No '26.2' sticker on MY car!) Getting a complex scene on paper gives me a sense of satisfaction that borders on euphoria." - Kristin Tubb, author of Selling Hope.

Visit again on Thursday to find out if our authors wait for their muse or drag her kicking and screaming.
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