So, here I sit in front of this blank screen. I had an idea in my head for a post, opened up the page to write it down, but . . . poof! It disappeared. All I can hope is that it will resurface in time to stand up and be counted. Or written, whatever.

Ideas that escape are fast and slippery and not likely to be hunted down. ~Carrie Latet

In the meantime, though, let’s think about that whole “inspiration” thing, shall we? So much of writing–or any creative endeavor–is about finding a kernel of an idea and nurturing it. The idea is the spark used to light the fire, but if you feed it too quickly, blow too hard, or make any of a number of well-meaning mistakes, the spark goes out and you’re left with . . . that blank screen that faced me at the beginning of this post.

Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable. ~Francis Bacon

Trying too hard can be the death of the idea. Which, when you think about it, sounds counter-intuitive. There are so many analogies that talk about the sheer work of creation, comparing it to childbirth or any of a million similar, extreme-effort activities.

Labor gives birth to ideas. ~Jim Rohn

Writers already know about the hard work involved in nurturing that glimmer of an idea. And yes, dragging it into the light can be similar to labor–and not just the “giving birth” kind, either. Ideas are twisty and they struggle to escape. Maybe not all the time, but so, so often. Forcing them onto paper (or a computer screen) is tough.

Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. ~Gene Fowler

Still, though, that initial idea–that little gift from the Muses–is priceless. Indefinably precious. It is also something that doesn’t require actual work, per se. All the writer needs to do is be the conduit for the idea, open to the possibility. (Although, I’ll be the first to grant you that it can be an effort to stop thinking long enough for an idea to float its way to the surface.)

Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference. ~Nolan Bushnell

Pulling the idea into the light and nailing it down onto paper? That can be work. But the idea itself? Magic.

Sometimes imagination pounces; mostly it sleeps soundly in the corner, purring. ~Leslie Grimutter

Are you interested in some more great quotes about writing? Click here.