I often get the questions asked of me, “What continues to inspire you…where do you get ideas for your blog posts…where do you continuously draw inspiration from?” So, I thought this would be the perfect time to share my three favorite sources of inspiration.
1. Photography: Whether it’s a photo of a gorgeous floral arrangement or a candid shot of a child, I am easily inspired by a really good photograph. And sometimes, the inspiration may not come from the “object” of the focal point of the lens, but rather the symbolism that the photo depicts – whether it pulls at the heart strings or resides from a political, religious or even philosophical standpoint. When I came across this photo of Carrie Bradshaw holding a baby, I instantly saw the dialogue beginning in my head of the post that needed to be written.
One simple look at this photograph and I was immediately inspired to write – and to be honest, it’s one of my all time favorite posts I’ve ever written on my blog: Carrie Bradshaw would be a Theta Mom. Yes, photography will always be a big source of inspiration for me.
2. Books, Blogs & Media: Reading something I stumble upon (whether it’s through a blog or other forms of literature) are other sources of quick inspiration. When an author poses some great questions about a particular topic that is relevant to me, I am inspired to write about it. The media also constantly gives me great blog fodder. Whether it’s found through television or in print, if it pertains to my life and I have an immediate connection to the content – I am inspired. For instance, when I read an article and survey that came out of Forbes Woman and The Bump, it clearly hit home for me and apparently, it touched a nerve with every reader as well: What is the Ideal Age to Become a Mom?
3. Life Experiences: My final secret source of inspiration is you guessed it – my own life. It could be the simple routine things that happen on a daily basis as a mother to the crazy world I find myself in as a WAHM, there are amazing blog posts just waiting to be written at every turn around here. One of my favorites is Birth Order Parenting – pretty much because it sums up the fact that when I write about motherhood, I realize it’s sometimes the mundane things that we can ALL relate to that provides an instant connection. In the end, this sort of inspiration brings the whole blogging process full circle for me.
Now I would love to hear from YOU – what are your favorite sources of inspiration for your blog?
Wonderful sources of inspiration. I usually write inspired by what happens in my life first and foremost. Life is full of writing fodder!
Yes, our life is full of blog fodder just waiting to be written!
Right now? Kindergarten is giving me more blog fodder than I ever thought possible. He comes home with one stinking flyer in his bag and BOOM! Ten minutes later I have a blog post written.
I hope it stays this way all year!
I know, you’re coming up with some good ones girl! 😉
I get inspiration from similar items. Even when I feel my own personal life is lacking inspiration, I am able to take ideas from the things around me, and incorporate them into my life.
Yes, love when I can take something that I think of as it happens and turn it into a piece of writing or a blog post!
Most definitely, my biggest source comes from my kids and my life! Raising teens gives me great material for the ol’ blog.
I’m sure it does!!!
I just love that SJP photo. Stunning!
Thanks – it’s one of my favorites!!
Although, I don’t blog much about my son (hardly ever)… I get so much inspiration for writing when we spend time together. I think he just brings out my creative and fun side.
Thanks for sharing your inspiration. I find that many of your posts bring inspiration to me, not necessary for a blog post topic but for motivation to keep on keeping on. 😉
Yes girl!! Keep on keeping on!!!
xoxo
I agree, stunning photo and very inspiring! I am inspired by my real-life experiences, by music, by my kids’ funny one-liners….it is amazing how inspiration can hit at the most random moment. When it does I always make sure to either write it down, or tweet it!
Exactly, the totally random moments are the best. That’s how you know you’re a blogger & writer, when you think of a post immediately as it happens. 😉
I would pretty much say “life”. Whether it be normal life events, the kids going through their phases and stages, or other things like finally getting an iPhone or going from a PC to a Mac.
Oh girl, I am the lamest of lame PC girls. It’s me and my good old IBM. I know, I sound like I’m 50, but why is it soooo hard for me to make that jump???
I too use life experience. I love to write memiors and use prompts quite often.
I love all of these, in fact Pinterest is really helping me write my fiction because it’s giving me a picture of the characters and places in my head.
I love prompts, whether they be words, a quote or a picture.
also my life, I find endless inspiration in the places I go, the things I do, the twins I am raising, the husband I try to find time for and the book I wish I was writing.
What a great post!
These three tend to be the source of inspiration for me as well. If a photo strikes a nerve, I can often relate it to something I’ve experienced and want to share. Personal experiences are another huge influence factor. I think the most important thing to remember about finding writing topics for your blog is to actually get out there and LIVE YOUR LIFE. Sitting behind the screen all day doesn’t make for the most interesting content.
If I am really out of ideas but want to post something, I will peruse other blogs and see what’s going on and what’s being talked about. I love looking up the keywords that have landed people on my page and writing about those too.
I pull most of my inspiration for my writing from my daily like with three growing boys. But I also pull from memories and past experiences that I’ve learned from.
But I’ve definitely been inspired by other bloggers. Their writing, their thoughts, and their experiences have touched me in a way I never knew possible.
My inspiration for blogging comes from my own life. My three littles, along with my hubby, provide me with enough fodder to write for years!
That said, I absolutely love reading other blogs and seeing things from their perspective. That can inspire me to write about something personal, but from an angle I hadn’t previously considered.
I think I respond to music the way you respond to photography. It just takes me somewhere. Also people/events in my real life. And sometimes, though rarely, politics. If anger and frustration can be considered inspiration.
most of my inspirations come from photos.:)
I definitely get my inspiration from home life. Being a SAHM of lots of little ones I have plenty of time to talk to myself all day and generate new ideas. Twitter and pinterest are my next sources.
My inspirations are life experiences – present and past. Things I read – I have read so many books on parenting – some great, some awful. Mentors – I learn a lot from the people I trust and try to emulate.
Great list! Usually my daily life inspires me…with two boys something is always happening
#3 is definitely where most of mine come from!
All of the above, and of course, Pinterest
Loving that picture of Carrie Bradshaw, and taking it as a synchronicity because I’ve been thinking about her character lately, seeing that i’m about to take a trip to NYC with my toddler and husband (who will be working the whole time). As an Air sign and aspiring writer, I have always related to Carrie, and I like to think of myself as a younger, mommy-er version of her…in a parallel universe, of course.
Love this! I would say other bloggers, other blog posts, stories in the news, and real life events.