This article continues on with the I=Inspiration theme in the CREATIVE HABITS series.
Although writers are individuals and find inspiration in many different ways, most writers are either intrinsically motivated or extrinsically motivated. Discovering which type of person you are will help you to know what to do when you desperately need inspiration.
Are you intrinsically motivated?
Intrinsically motivated people will use internal factors to get inspiration.
- Reading a good book will get an intrinsically motivated person thinking about the characters in the book or the plot. Often an intrinsically motivated person will become inspired and will write a number of articles around the themes discovered when considering the book.
- Other writers may find looking at great art or listening to classical music a great way to find inspiration. An intrinsically motivated person will find their muse whenever they let their thoughts drift in contemplation of some item in front of them. Intrinsically motivated writers are more likely to relish quiet time and being alone, especially when searching for inspiration.
- Intrinsically motivated writers are those who will also be inspired by wanting to achieve and job satisfaction. I often find that setting deadlines is a great way to ensure inspiration. I want to do a good job and my job satisfaction comes from giving my clients what they need at the times I agreed to.
There is something I find inspiring in the words I use too, and sometimes, as an intrinsically motivated writer, I will be inspired by a single word and the desire to find an appropriate ‘home’ for it. I find that looking for synonyms or completing word exercises will often inspire my writing, because I will discover interest in the words themselves.
Or are you extrinsically motivated?
Extrinsically motivated people, on the other hand, are less likely to find inspiration when sitting alone at a computer. These people need to talk to people and will get their energy and inspiration from others. One of the best things an extrinsically motivated writer can do is purchase a laptop computer that can take their writing out into the world.
- Sitting in a café, watching people go past and enjoying great conversations with friends, colleagues or acquaintances (or even listening in to other’s conversations) will often inspire extrinsically motivated writers.
- Interaction is often the key and the extrinsically motivated writer will love to go to community events, parties and social outings because it is in the relationship with people that inspiration comes. People are endlessly fascinating and different and an extrinsically motivated writer will find endless inspiration in meeting and talking with different people.
- What if you have a deadline and don’t have hours to spare sitting in cafes? How can an extrinsically motivated writer find inspiration in a hurry? Writers groups and forums on the internet are often extremely helpful. Get in contact with a writer friend via emails and forums and bounce ideas off each other. Soon you will both be inspired to write.
- Extrinsically motivated people should always carry notebooks when they do go out to socialize, because many ideas may come to you during a single social evening. Jot down the ideas and then, when you need to, refer to your list for a reminder of your “eureka” flash of inspiration that hit at the party.
And for those of you who are sitting there identifying with both descriptions, don’t worry! We are not always one or the other. However, more often than not we prefer to be motivated either intrinsically or extrinsically.
Discovering whether you are more intrinsically motivated and inspired, or extrinsically motivated will help you to put into practice the ways of getting inspiration.
This way you can keep track of when you do have inspiration and ideas, so that you can go back to that space when needed.
Which do you think you are? How do you get your inspiration and motivation. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so it would be great if you took a few minutes to share them with us.
