Movies and Inspiration

Though I've briefly written about this before, in a previous blog post When Not to Write, I wanted to go into further detail about the notion of creativity in writing and movie-viewing. Though I don't recommend writing after watching a movie (as the writing can be horrific, like a knock-off Gucci bag to the real thing) there is something to be said for finding a way to rejuvenate the ideas and inspiration we once had for a story, or novel when watching something both amazing, and inspirational.

For example, last week, I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2. While JK Rowling's writing is pretty much INCREDIBLE (that lady is a master of storytelling), what really lights my writing fire is knowing that her ideas, her brain activity and education, actually went somewhere ... as in phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime, everyone-loves-you, let's-make-a-movie-out-of-all-your-books type of success. And sitting in the ice-cold theater, with the AC set at 65 degrees, doesn't shut me down either. No, I push myself into the story (which isn't hard to do) so I don't have to think about how cold I am!

Here's what I'm trying to say: her books are successful. She's like Stephanie Meyers with the Twilight series, and myriad other writers whose books transcend the usual New York Times top-ten because they also make it to the big screen.

I am reminded of their success when I watch their stories made into movies. And it makes me want to keep on trying for my success. Not for a movie, mind you. I'm not asking for that kind of accomplishment. I know, I'm nuts. But really, that's a heck of a lot of responsibilty to have a huge following of fans along with the truckload of cash to deal with. Okay, so some don't think that's such a bad thing. But, I think it  is. Very few people can handle success in their bank account and success at home at the same time. I prefer a great home-life, with peace, than a great bank account.

So, let's get off this tangent ... if JK Rowling can write a story when her toddler takes a nap, then by golly, we can write something we want to tell, with the little bit of time we have too.

My kids are both in school for the first time, starting this week... I officially have NO excuses not to produce something good in my literary world.

We may not have best sellers, or books turned-into-movies type of writing, but that doesn't matter. If you are inspired by other authors' successes (as I am) then let that motivate you. Go see a great movie, a great story, and keep on writing, even just a page of your book a day, and that can be all the accomplishment you need to feel like a world-success too...