Y’all know how much I love The Voice, right? And I can hardly wait for the new season to start!
This Monday! Yay!
So anyway. Hubby and I were out running errands when we heard this adorable song on the local L.A. country radio station.
Okay, yes, I’ll admit, I do listen to country. Not all the time. I’m basically a rock ‘n roll girl. But on occasion, I like to switch it up and broaden my horizon. You know, see what the other half of the universe is listening to.
Well, let me just say that when hubby and I heard this song, we cranked it up.
Now, granted, because we aren’t the most knowledgeable people regarding the latest and greatest in the country music world, this song may not be new to some of you, yet it was certainly new to us. You’ll see what I’m talking about in a moment.
First, because I was tagged by Cate Russell-Cole to participate in the “Inspiring Spaces Blog Hop”, I need to share with you what ignites my creativity. Not that you’ll find it all that interesting, but apparently, inquiring minds want to know.
So here is goes…
I think creative people have their own triggers that help them to produce no matter what art form they excel in. For me, there is no secret ingredient that sparks my imagination. My inspiration comes from many sources.
For one, I need to read in order to write. And I mean a lot. I find that certain writers will ignite my creativity. If I find myself stuck, I’ll pull out a book from one of my favorite authors and away I go.
Certain tastes, scents and textures can ignite my muse. I am inspired by nature. So if I’m on a walk, or down by the beach, or in the mountains, gazing at the moon and the beautiful stars above, I am inspired. So I guess being aware of all my senses can spark that gift of creativity.
Yet, if you noticed, I left one of our senses out.
Hearing.
But not just hearing. Listening. As you know, there is a difference. And it’s this difference that can have a huge influence on our creativity. If we really listen and take in all that surrounds us, there is great potential for ignition in our creativity.
It’s so awesome, isn’t it?
And that brings me back to our country song.
“God Made Girls”, by Rae Lynn, a twenty year old, third year contestant on The Voice, under the tutelage of none other than Blake Shelton. The fact remains, the lyrics to this song are so clever that it inspired me to share them with y’all.
Check them out…
God Made Girls
Somebody’s gotta wear a pretty skirt,
Somebody’s gotta be the one to flirt,
Somebody gotta wanna hold his hand,
So God made girls
Somebody’s gotta make ’em get dressed up,
Somebody’s gotta give ’em a reason to wash that truck,
Somebody gotta teach ’em how to dance,
So God made girls
He needed something soft and loud and sweet and proud
But tough enough to break a heart
Something beautiful and breakable that lights up in the dark
So God made girls, God made girls,
He stood back and told the boys
I’m bout to rock your world
And God made girls (For singing in your front seat)
God made girls (For dancin’ to their own beat)
He stood back and told the boys I’m bout to rock your world
And God made girls.
Somebody’s gotta be the one to cry
Somebody’s gotta let him drive, give him a reason
To hold that door
So God made girls
Somebody’s gotta put up a fight,
Make him wait on a Saturday night,
To walk downstairs and blow his mind,
So God made girls
Someone that can wake him up and call his bluff
And drag his butt to church, someone that is hard to handle
Somethin’ fragile to hold him when he hurts
So God made girls, God made girls
He stood back and told the boys
I’m bout to rock your world
And God made girls…
See, I knew you’d like it!
And for your listening pleasure, here’s a little inspiration from Rea Lynn.
That was easier than I thought! Now it’s your turn only if you wish to participate. Since we’re all curious what inspires other writers, I am asking a few to join in the fun! They are: Jenny Hansen, K.M. Huber, Tameri Etherton, Christine Claire MacKenzie, Angela Ackerman, Pat O’Dea Rosen, Amber Medina West, Jennifer Oliver, Jennette Marie Powell and last but not least, Coleen Patrick!
Inspire one another! Use a photo, video, any medium desired, which will show off your muse’s playground. The purpose is to discover something about another blogger that inspires you and to share the love around, so blogs are being seen by a new audience. Oh and please mention that the blog hop started here. (Thank you.) Happy hopping!
So what do you think? What do you have in your writing space? What do you need to get into the creative groove? Which of our five senses affects your writing the most? Do you find music inspires your creativity? If so, what kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
Cheers everyone! And as always, thank you so much for all your support and wonderful comments!
Karen
Pingback: Creative Seeds: The Stuff That Makes Me Curious | Coleen Patrick
Thank goodness God made girls and to show he had a sense of humor, he made boys. I popped on over from Coleen’s blog and noticed you’d left a comment. I decided to follow the link and voila, landed here. Glad I did. Nice post. When I started blogging, I’d get my inspiration from what was happening around me, then I began to read other blogs and even more blogs – not I hardly have time to read everything that lands in my e-mail box. Our senses open up all sorts of worlds to us – new worlds and new experiences, and old worlds and old memories. Have a great day, I am gonna put it on my list….even when I am over a couple of weeks late to the party.
Clay recently posted..Picture Day
Hi Clay and welcome! I see you’ve been blog hopping. How fun is that? Love meeting new peeps! So great to meet you! Thanks to Coleen. It’s amazing how much other bloggers and writers can inspire us. With so much information out there, I can’t thank you enough for your visit! Never worry about being late to the party. Glad you enjoyed the post and hope to see you again soon! 🙂
Like you, I’m inspired by nature. Sitting on my balcony watching birds flit through the trees and listening to the sound of breeze rustling the leaves, hearing a thunderstorm rumble outside my window, listening to the rain fall, feeling the brisk fall air against my skin, all of these things inspire me. I’m also inspired by the books I read, whether it’s a regency romance, a cozy mystery, a gritty urban fantasy or a fairy-tale retelling. There’s inspiration everywhere, if only we’re open to it. 🙂
Denise D. Young recently posted..Sprinkling in Details in Our Writing: How much to share—and when
Ooh, thunderstorm Denise? Just the sound of that makes me so happy. I’m missing the rain girl. Yet, there is something about watching the animals, the sound of the breeze. You are right. Nature IS inspiring. And it is everywhere. Great point! Thank you so much for sharing your process and thoughts! 🙂
That sounds like an adorable song (sleeping husband, so I’ll listen tomorrow!). I was raised on country music, although it’s no longer my go-to music. I often use music for inspiration, but I was made for singing, so I don’t often listen to music while I’m writing. My favorites for inspiration, at the moment, are Paul Simon and Jewel’s Spirit album. My car has no radio antenna, but a nice CD player, and it’s fun to rediscover music I hadn’t heard for a while…
I tend to write while watching TV, or interspersed with hometending or yardtending, and while the kids are coming and going about their days.
My post will be up later today, after I get some sleep…and finish off the homeschooling reports, which are due.
Shan Jeniah Burton recently posted..A Tangled Stretch: September 14, 2014
Lol Shan. Yes, do not wake up the sleeping husband! Interesting that music is the common denominator with most of the commenters here. I think it’s because it strikes a cord with our emotions, don’t you think? Although I am impressed that you write so well with all the disruptions Shan. I guess you learn what you can tune out after a while with kids. How soon I forget. lol. Nighty, night! 🙂
I find music inspires me too, but I’m a rock and roll girl, lol. I find soundtracks to movies are especially powerful. I love listening to soundtracks as I write. 🙂
Angela, you are not alone. There are a lot of peeps that are not into country who have left comments on this post. Y’all are just so nice! I too am a rock and roll kinda gal. So I get where you’re coming from. I just couldn’t resist those lyrics. Now soundtracks, yes, they are a wonderful source of inspiration. This goes back some years, (I’m telling my age here.), but the music from Out of Africa is one of my personal favs. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! 🙂
Not a big country fan, but that’s a pretty cute song. Music is a primary inspiration source for me, too. As are books, movies, hiking, cycling and reading other people’s blogs. Cheers!
Julia, I bet you’re a closet Rock ‘n Roller! lol. I do like your list of inspiration. Music seems to be the preference for most writers. But you brought out that reading other people’s blogs is an inspiration. That’s a wonderful point. People are a great source of motivation. Cheers right back atcha girl! 🙂
Like Jennette, I’m not so into country. But that song is adorable! One of my favorite places to write is the wonderful gothic College Library at UCLA. Looks like something out of Harry Potter. But I can’t get there much anymore, so now I’m using music. I’ve recently discovered Spotify.com, which lets you choose playlists by “mood” like “Rainy Afternoon.” I so hooked. Another great post, Karen. Thanks!
Debra Eve recently posted..Kathy Pooler: Memoir as a Tool for Transformation
I appreciate your comment Debra. You don’t have to be into country. But you can’t help but adore those lyrics. I won’t tell anyone. You know, I’m not familiar with the College Library at UCLA. Can you tell I don’t get out much? lol. Although you make it sound very inspiring. And I like your suggestion. I’m gonna have to check Spotify out. Music works for me! Thanks Debra. 🙂
Not into country, but those song lyrics are cute. Right now there is too much junk in my writing space, plus a goldfish whose tank needs cleaning. Maybe that’s why I’m having trouble getting into the writing groove! Though some good electronic headbanger music helps. 😀 Thanks for the tag! Might be a couple weeks before I get to it but these will be fun.
Jennette Marie Powell recently posted..Do Cheap and Free Books Kill Sales?
Lol Jennette! I know country isn’t your thang. But the lyrics of that song? So cute! I couldn’t help but share them. See, they inspired me. Okay, who can be creative with a dirty goldfish tank looking straight at you? lol. Clean that thing and get busy writing girl! Can’t wait to read your post! Thanks Jennette! 🙂
Oh yes, music definitely inspires me, but so does a walk on the beach, the sound of children laughing, the way the leaves flutter in the breeze. I try to keep my senses open and aware because I never know what that one thing will be that brings an entire scene into focus.
Thanks for tagging me. I might need a few days to ponder this, but even as I’m typing, I think I know what I’m going to write. Love it when that happens!
Tameri Etherton recently posted..A Sweet Surprise from Demi Hungerford
You are so right Tameri. All of the above! Every one of our senses can influence our creativity. And who doesn’t love a walk on the beach or the sweet sound of children? Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. Can’t wait for your post. I know it will be inspiring! 🙂
I, too, feel like creative inspiration is all around! Sometimes it’s in the things I see or in off-handed comments I over hear. Other times it’s just in noticing the way two people interact. On a daily basis I also find music to get my creative juices flowing. But, I listen to music that is not in English or Spanish so that I don’t actually hear the words. With my current WIP I am listening to upbeat French music. It sure helps the story come alive in my mind. I don’t listen to much country, but I recently discovered Kasey Musgraves (I’m sure if I’m spelling that right). She sings a song called “Silver Lining” that I love.
Emma Burcart recently posted..Ice Cream Can’t Hug Back
Love this Emma! Isn’t it true that all our senses take in something that we can use in our writing? And from what you’ve said, it sounds like your senses are fine tuned. The French music sounds interesting. You’ve perked my interest Emma. And yes, the singing, or words may throw us off. Big kudos to you for stretching out of your norm and throwing a little country in the mix girl. Love that Silver Lining! 🙂
Creative inspiration is one of my favorite topics! Reading, nature, movies–these are a few of my inspirational things. It’s funny but as I’m reading your post I’m not actually in my office today. My office is comfortable–and filled with some of my favorite things, but every now and then I need to go somewhere different to get back into a writing groove.
Thanks for including me, Karen! Always appreciate your thoughtful support. 🙂
Coleen Patrick recently posted..Historic Weekends, an Empty Nest (and Overripe Bananas)
I can believe it Coleen! Your posts are always inspiring. That has to come from somewhere. And I adore your pics too! Sometimes it’s a good thing to switch it up. Good for you! And how could I not include you? Can’t wait for your post! 🙂
Karen, thank you so much for joining in with the challenge. I am really surprised to read that taste inspires you. I have never heard that said before.
Like you, reading certain authors sets me off as well, though I worry I will launch into their voice and not my own. That’s just my neurosis.
Best wishes with your work and again, thank you for a thought provoking piece.
Thank you Cate for tagging me. This was fun. You know, I just think that all our senses affect our creativity in some small way. If you think about it, why wouldn’t they? And yes, I find that there are times when reading a certain author’s work, their voice will try to creep in. But I’m very cognizant of it and keep it at bay. But you’re right. That can easily happen if we’re not careful. Thanks again Cate and please take care of yourself! 🙂