Is Inspiration Over-Rated?

Writing is fun. As it should be. When your head's in the game, and your creative juices are flowing, the feeling is matchless.

Most of the time.

I used to read and/or write only when romantic inspiration struck the core of my sentimentality. Those cloudy autumn afternoons when the wind beat against the window panes and howled around the moor, (well actually I live in a regular house,) and Yorkshire tea was at my beck and call, WELL! I had no other option than to seize my quill pen, (yes I do own one,) and scribble down the sonnet or fable on the tip of my tongue. But what did I do on those blistering summer days, when everyone was complaining about the heat? I looked down at my unromantic Nike shorts and decided that writing was simply out of the question.

Ha. Silly me. Little did I know that if I truly desired literary achievement, nay, if I wanted to become better at all, I would have to write even when I didn't want to. Scary I know. How am I supposed to feel inspired when I live in the suburbs and don't have long curly black hair cascading to my feet? Here is the simple answer:

You don't HAVE to feel inspired. *GASP* It is indeed a harsh reality to accept, but when you think about it, it makes sense. If NASA scientists didn't wake up feeling inspired every morning, our knowledge of the solar system would be sadly lacking.

When you are good at something, you can do it almost without thinking about it. Although, I can understand how baby writers might find it difficult to put to pen to paper when the circumstances aren't satisfactory. I've been there. We all have.  But the way you get out of this stage is to, in a simple phrase, deny your flesh. Don't want to write? Too bad. You sit yourself down at your computer and write what is on your mind. I've been trying to teach myself piano recently, and let me tell you, it's a tedious task. My brother on the other hand, who had lessons for ten years, can play Mozart's masterpieces from memory, without even looking at the keys.

If you persevere in writing, the same effortless ability will come in due time. Don't let my pretentious advice fool you. I am a beginner in every way, but this was one of this first lessons I learned, and am still learning to abide by every day. A family friend linked me to a writing contest a couple weeks ago. The deadline is January 31st. So I have been scrambling to assemble my 93,000 word manuscript into something intelligible. I have already read my story a million times, and I can get bored of my own words. And let me tell you, I can't remember the last time I felt "inspired' when editing my book for the upteenth time. I can't afford to operate on romantic whims, and neither can you.

So what DOES keep me going? Drive. Ambition. Aspiration. If I want success, I'm going to have to work to get it. That means writing every night even when I don't want to, blogging once a week, and writing poems even though I'm bad at them. Not to mention reading five books at once. So next time you drag your groggy eyes over to your computer, sit down. And write something. Keep up that practice, and see if you don't learn that inspiration is over-rated.

Oh, do you like my new blog format? I have my lovely friend Katie to thank for that. Apart from being the exquisite "Duchess of Suds," she is also quite tech savvy! You can check out her blog here: royaltysoaps.blogspot.com

Written by: Karoline Kingley 


(photo courtesy of Google Images)

Les Miserables - Movie Review

"Les Miserables" - Movie Review

I just saw the recent film adaption of Les Miserables only a few hours ago, and have not stopped thinking about it since. I got the book for Christmas, and was originally determined that I would continue to be a, "read book before see movie" kind of girl.

This time however, I made an exception.

The book is over 900 pages. Not to mention the pages are thin, and the print is nearly microscopic. This has nothing to do with the quality of the story of course. 200 pages in and I already consider it a favorite. But I'm here to talk about the movie not the book.

Where do I begin? It's a masterpiece. Beautiful, awe-inspiring, emotional and unique. At the very start of the film, I was thrown a bit off-kilter. The cinematography felt a bit lack-luster, and my opinion in that regard did not change throughout the duration. Yet I believe the director intended this. This way the focus was entirely on the actors, their faces, and powerful voices. At first, the use of song seemed defeated to me. The characters sing nearly everything. Usually singing conveys that which mere words cannot, but they did not dedicate poetic ideas to song exclusively. Such phrases as, "I am sad" or, "I stole a loaf of bread for my sister's child," were all expressed through song. However, upon reflection, I am glad that they sang so much.

As aforementioned I am reading the book, and also as previously stated, it is a long epic. Concepts and back stories which Victor Hugo took 50 pages to explain, were summarized in single songs in the movie. In my opinion song was the best resort to fitted communication.

Hugh Jackman gave a phenomenal performance as Jean Valjean. Anne Hathaway likewise could not have done better. I, and many other movie theatre attendees were moved to tears when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream." I think some Oscar nominations are definitely in the future. Amanda Seyfried as Cossette acted admirably, and has a breath-taking soprano voice. And don't worry teenage girls, Eddie Redmayne as Marius will not only entrance you with his voice, but also with his delightfully boyish good looks.  



 Russel Crowe, though criticized for his occasional flat-notes was an excellent candidate for Inspector Javert. Needless to say, every actor gave their all.

Unlike other long movies such as "The Hobbit," every minute felt well-spent. I was always intrigued and completely moved. Themes like grace, mercy and redemption have never been so astutely communicated. This is a film I will definitely be buying on DVD.

However, this is NOT a family film. I think any child under fifteen or fourteen requires supervision. The beginning is gritty. Prostitution, and other vile circumstances are showcased. Other than that, I have no qualms, and would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys musicals, and/or art.  


Written by: Karoline Kingley

Les Miserables - Movie Review

Knowing Your Audience

Who are you writing to? If you aspire literary achievement and cannot answer that question, I suggest you sort it out. Okay, now that we have that out of the way, are you writing to your audience or for them? Because if you intend on writing for a specific audience, you need to know what they want. Writing to them shouldn't be option. Readers don't want to be talked down to, they want valuable entertainment.

Teenager girls are the largest group of consumers when it comes to almost every kind of entertainment. This probably does not apply to video games, but it does for books. If you want your book to be widely read: target teenage girls. They decide what is popular. However, there are particular elements that can almost always be found in the novels topping Teen Fiction Charts.

Romance. As a teenage girl, I can testify that romance is essential. Despite whatever long-lingering metaphors, witty humor or thrilling adventures a story contains, without romance, it does not feel complete. Although I like to think of myself as a reasonably practical girl, I sigh over a perfect movie kiss or any one of Mr. Darcy's spell-binding speeches as much as any other teenage girl. Romance does not have to be the theme or prime subject, but it should be an element. Love often provides compelling motive and interesting subplots. Love and romance are part of what makes us human, so it isn't difficult to incorporate.

But teenagers don't just want romance, violence and excitement. Despite what the latest polls and studies indicate: teenagers are not stupid. True, in the past we may have been fooled into reading things that would make sophisticated authors feel as though their brain cells were dying, but there is always an obvious reason for a book's popularity. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer though widely criticized for its poor writing, brought a new exciting element that readily captured teenage girl's attention. Likewise The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was unique, new and different.

Know your audience. I've just told you what teenagers want, but if you write to an older or younger demographic, you'll have to do your own research. Teenagers represent a large fraction of consumers, so if you intend on writing for them remember to include: romance, excitement/violence and something different.

Writing with a Worldview

I have noticed that many writers don't seem to realize their power. They might consider while editing the first draft of their novel that a crowd of people could potentially read and respond to it, but there remain many more elements to be examined and incorporated. One key factor that many writers and other artists overlook, is worldview.

What is a worldview? The way you view the world? Yes, actually. The way you live, the choices you make, the words you say, are a result of the way you view life and the world. Even if you would proclaim not to have a worldview, that, in itself, is a worldview!

You see what I mean? Some people are more conscious of their worldview than others, but no matter who you are, it is always being expressed. Whether you like it or not; whether you intend it or not. Therefore as you might imagine, if you look for a worldview, you will find it. This applies to media as well. Movies, music, books, paintings, dances all portray a message. I realize that sometimes the creator's beliefs or intentions may not always be simple to deduce, yet you will see evidence of it nonetheless.

So how does this affect writing?

However you want it to. Maybe you haven't thought about the fact that your book is told through the lenses with which you see the world, but when you do start thinking about it, you might change a few things, or add a little bit here and there.

Is there a particular thought, viewpoint, or opinion you want the reader to learn? What moral or message are you attempting to convey?

Once you realize your worldview and live consistently by it, these questions will be easy to answer. Those familiar with Christianity probably realized when reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, that C.S. Lewis had written not just a story, but an allegory. Aslan dying for the sin of someone else even when he was innocent, then rising from the dead rings a bell doesn't it? Non-christians reading that story may or may not have realized it, but they were consuming Christianity.

If your book is published, and readers react, they will be enjoying your story through the worldview you put there. Writers posses great influence. Grasp it. Respect it. Do not do yourself the discredit by writing laxly.

Do you realize how much power you have?

Written by: Karoline Kingley

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