#IWSG: Inspirational Image

The Insecure Writers Support Group is a marvellous group set up by Alex Cavanagh. On the first Wednesday of every month, members post thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.

The link above takes you to details about the group and how to join. You’ll also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge – do check them out.

The awesome co-hosts are Lee Lowery, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Jennifer Hawes, Cathrina Constantine, and Tyrean Martinson!

This month’s question – February 5 question – Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?

If I was to answer this month’s question in brief it would be “yes” & “no”, sandwiched around a couple of images …

When I read the question I felt upbeat, delighted in knowing there were a couple of photos which had started the old brain working with story ideas. Until I looked back to when I wrote that they were inspiring me with story ideas – in August and November 2017 – and that knowledge was decidedly bubble bursting.

I’m all too aware I have a problem with achieving my dreams. There is no doubt that Life gets in the way – issues around health (although more often those of my loved ones than myself), trials & tribulations at the day job (the one which pays my bills), the on-going struggle in developing a second career (learning about identifying my niche, social media, SEO and other forms of marketing) have all taxed my brain, my time and my energy levels. But it’s also true that I suffer from scattered focus – with dreams across multiple areas – coaching, photography, writing, blogging – let alone a reading habit which sucks up every spare moment.

This year I was inspired to select a Word of the Year with the aim of applying focus to the way I live my life. The word I selected was act! – an exhortation to myself to take action. Among a whole slew of other candidates were accomplish, finish and achieve, but I knew that none of those would happen unless I first took action. It has already proved to be a positive in dealing with a health issue, so I will apply it to this question and set some goals.

I expect to have surgery shortly, with an expected 12-week recovery period thereafter. During that time period, I will take action with the stories these two pictures inspired me to write. After a brief review, I will decide whether to write a short story, a novella or a full-length novel. If the former, I will write them with the aim of seeking outlets for their publication thereafter. If the latter, I will plan and get as much writing done as is possible during the time period. Importantly, I will not allow the end of the recovery period to signal an end to my writing. I will plan regular time slots in which to complete the work.

© Debra Carey, 2020