Writing and inspiration

As I write, I am sitting next to a speaker in a coffee shop, after having read the newspaper and enjoyed a fulfilling breakfast. I am writing on my phone. Not my preferred tool for writing, but inspiration can strike anywhere. I need to get my thoughts on the proverbial notepad.

I recently crossed 500 posts on this blog, a fact of which I have been made aware through the post count I display on my site homepage. This coincides with my printing out all of my blog posts up until now on paper, prompted by my passion for seeing digital writing in physical media. Indeed, when you good your writing — previously available only through technology — in your hands, the words are more real.

I was contemplating the question “what should I write next?” This particular question has caused me much frustration over the years. Although my mind may be busy with thoughts on a topic — of late, I have been pondering what I could write about AI — feeling confident enough in my thoughts to articulate them in writing takes a long time.

I have found I thrive when writing technical documentation and guides. I am however intrigued by other subject matters. On reflection, I have dabbled more in introspective writing and noting down observations from my environment of late. Being in bustling environments, with space to write, sometimes brings inspiration for this type of content. I write what I see or hear.

Back to the question of “what should I write next?”

I do not always have inspiration, and I choose to write only when I “feel” like I have an established direction in my mind for a point. I explore the topics about which I am thinking through writing, but I need an initial spark to start.

My writing this is perhaps an attempt at affirming that I do not always need to have a firm next idea in mind, even if I want to write. I have been through periods like this before — many times — and come through with new ideas and trees of ideas to explore.

The same can be said for my experience with coding, too. Sometimes I lack inspiration for new projects, then — due to factors I have not yet been able to accurately document, to my chagrin — I have an idea and build a new project that challenges me and results in something I or others can use.

What should I write next? I think this question should be repositioned. Instead, I should consider: are there any ideas I have been giving thought to lately that I would like to explore in writing? If I am not ready to explore an idea in writing, that is fine. My subconscious can process what I have learned about a topic thus far instead. I can spend more time learning and exploring an idea. And, I need to remind myself that I may not feel inspired to write about the thought de jour.

Tagged in writing.