I ran across this quote on Pinterest the other day and loved it.
How many times do we sit, waiting for inspiration to strike when we’ve failed to “turn on the faucet.”
If you’re stuck, uncertain how to get the “water” flowing, sit down and start writing. It doesn’t have to be your current project. It could be anything. Type out a nursery rhyme, write your own obituary, compose a love letter – just write something.
Then start playing with the words, twisting and turning them over in your mind and on paper.
Take a simple phrase and make yourself find five other ways to convey the same meaning.
By then, your “faucet” should be running well and you can go back to that project you were working on – or maybe you’ll have a brand new idea to pursue.
Growing up on a farm, my dad taught me early on how to set irrigation tubes. Although he could often start multiple tubes at once on his first try, it took me a lot of time and practice to be able to get one on my first try. Generally there was a lot of priming and sighing involved, but eventually the water would come out because I wasn’t allowed to quit.
It’s no different with writing. Sometimes there is a lot of priming and tugging and sighing involved, but the “water” will eventually run.
Don’t give up.
Keep trying.
You’ll be so glad you did.
