What Inspires Me to Write?

I’ve had readers ask what gives me inspiration to write. Here are a few of the things that inspire me:

  • Vacations: just getting out of the house is a big inspiration. You tend to get into a rut if you just sit in the same office day after day plugging away at your writing. And it doesn’t have to be a two-week splurge in the Mediterranean, either. A weekend at a nice hotel being waited on can do it in a pinch.
  • Reading: I love to read anyway, and I’ve found that reading an excellently-crafted work will inspire me to try to up my game and write as well myself.
  • Textbooks: I like reading “How To” books on the craft of writing and always end up inspired to try whatever they suggest in the book.
  • Actually Getting Off My Butt and Doing Something: I’ve found that doing anything, even posting here on this website or taking a walk, will inspire me to get to work on the manuscripts.

What about you? How do you inspire yourself?