Changing Paths challenge day 29: inspirations
Many writers worry about being inspired by other writers, in case inspiration comes off as plagiarism.
But true inspiration is not plagiarism, it just references its source and then does something completely different.
Writers also draw from the Ocean of the Streams of Story (Salman Rushdie’s wonderful name for where ideas come from, in his lovely book Haroun and the Sea of Stories).
A good example of an inspirational reference is Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, which could be said to be inspired by Milton’s Paradise Lost, but certainly isn’t derivative of it or plagiarized from it.
As a writer, I find Patrick Leigh Fermor, William Dalrymple, Robert Macfarlane, and Tom Cox inspiring. If I ever write a book on landscapes, I hope it will be worthy to stand alongside theirs (this is daunting and is probably the reason I haven’t written a landscape book yet).
I’m also inspired by Starhawk, but I’m clearly not plagiarizing her as my work is different, although it has been compared to hers (thank you to the person who commented this on instagram).
My work has also been compared to Doreen Valiente (thank you Misha) which was highly gratifying, as I think she was an excellent writer.
I’m currently reading the wonderful book Of Chalk and Flint: A way of Norfolk Magic by Val Thomas which is deeply inspirational. In her review, The River Crow describes it as “a true love letter to the county of Norfolk, the land, sea, and sky that comprise this magical part of the country, its animals, plants, and spirits, its folklore and enchantment” — which is a very apt description.
Among the fiction writers who inspire me are Robertson Davies, AS Byatt, Liz Williams, and Ursula Le Guin (again, a somewhat daunting set of inspirations to live up to if I finally get that novel written). I love them because they succeed in conveying the inner lives of ordinary people in a way that makes them mythic. Even their baddies are fascinating.
Inspirational bloggers include The River Crow, Nimue Brown, John Beckett, Jarred Harris (Musings of a Wyrd-Worker). I also love Dodie Graham McKay’s and Liz Williams’ articles on The Wild Hunt.
Then there’s the Muses and their mythical mountain, who must be worshipped and given honour. They bestow their gifts on those they choose, and mere humans cannot always see the reason for their choices (see the tragic tale of Mozart and Salieri, for example—though it seems Salieri was applying to the wrong deity for the gift of genius).
May your quill be dipped in gold and may you drink from the fountain of the Muses and the Ocean of the Streams of Story.
Who are your inspirations? Let me know in the comments.
My award winning book, Changing Paths, is published by 1000Volt Press and is available from all the usual online stores. Ask your local bookseller or library to stock it!
The goal of the book is to help you decide your own path by guiding you through the perils and pitfalls of the terrain, and asking questions to help you deepen your understanding of the reasons for your desire to change paths.
Changing Paths 