Finding Inspiration

[Connie Arnold]

What are some ways that you find inspiration? Are there particular places, music, people that inspire you to write poetry? Please share what works for you!

[Colin Moffett]

Connie..I am really inspired by nature and the countryside and in my garden. A lot of what I feel inside comes out in my poems and Irish Country Gospel music inspires me as well.

[Connie Arnold]

Yes, the beauty of nature is a wonderful inspiration, Colin! Poetry is a great way to express this inspiration. I'm not very familiar with Irish Country Gospel music, but I agree that music is such an inspiration, and we each have a particular type that especially speaks to our hearts.

[Jeff Bidiman]

I am also a fan of nature. I like to look for the little things that perhaps no one seems to notice or take for granted and try to figure a way to make a poem out of them. When I do find something that works, I blow the dust off my classical CD's and put on Bach and Mozart, roll up the ol' sleeves, and then try to recall why it was I started playing my classical CD's.
Just kidding. I have one favorite Bach tune that gives me great inspiration. It is called "Sleepers Awake" and it is performed by Eugene Ormandy and the Cleveland Orchestra. I listen to that and I am filled with a spirit of joy that climbs into my thoughts and places a positive message into a lot of what I write.
I also find inspiration when I am reading. I will come across a quote that sticks in my head and will have to write my thoughts on it just to get it out of my brain.
... and sometimes ... greeting card commercials on T.V.

[Connie Arnold]

Ah, music is great for inspiration. I'm with you in enjoying Bach and Mozart and finding inspiration while listening to classical music. Reading is good for getting those thoughts going. I find especially reading devotionals in the morning get my brain flowing with good poetic thoughts! Thanks for sharing about your inspiration, Jeff.

[Sondra Cloud]

Sometimes I just sit and think how good God has been to me. Other times, I'll be sitting at a window watching the breeze blowing through the trees, or watching the clouds roll gently by. The poems that I post, I did not write, God wrote them, I just held the pen. Praise the Lord, thank you Jesus!

[Connie Arnold]

Great inspirations, Sondra! I'm sitting by a window now with a breeze blowing in. I should be writing a poem! Ah, yes, we are the pens, God is the ink. Thank you for sharing, Sondra.

[BOB BLACKMAN]

I'm finding I often find inspiration on Sunday morning during the pastor's sermon. Often he will say something or use a praise that makes me think, "That would be a good line in a poem." Then I go home and write a poem around that phrase or statement. I've even been known to miss the point of the sermon because my attention was on writing a poem concerning an insignificant point from the message.

[Connie Arnold]

That's a great way to find inspiration, Bob! The sermon was very worthwhile for you if a small part of it developed into a poem where you can share your own message.

[DELLA CAYWOOD]

Hello Connie, i get inspired by music, nature. I know this is probably weird but, i get inspired mostly by things that i see. If something stirs the heart, then it stirs the mind. If there are things that seem to trouble me, or make me happy, then i can write easier. Weird hugh? God bless!!! della

[Connie Arnold]

No, I don't think that's weird, Della! I think the words flow much more easily and expressively when we are moved in some way. We each have different things that stirs our hearts, but those things can be great inspirations for writing.

[Belinda van Rensburg]

Hello Connie
I find most of my inspiration in the Scriptures and in nature. I also write about my own personal as well as other people's life experiences, or any topic which touches my heart such as the suffering of animals and the destruction of our planet. I have written quite a few animal rights as well as conservation poems.

Sometimes I write a poem about a prophecy or a dream I had.

God bless.

[Connie Arnold]

Thanks for sharing your inspiration sources, Belinda. Scriptures and nature are certainly good for providing inspiration. Writing about a prophecy or dream must be a special gift you've been given!