Some days the creative flow is more of a trickle circling the drain than a gushing waterfall, especially when life gets involved. In my case, that would be a bout of the stomach flu, my toddler’s birthday party (which, those of you who have toddlers know, make you afterward feel like you’ve been punched in the face) and the weather forecast here in Minnesota is predicting a snow storm when we’re supposed to be heading into Spring.
Ever have moments like that? When the keyboard stares at you like, “Yeah, and now what?” and you honestly have no answer?
In those situations, it’s good to have a little of the inspirational tucked away to get you going. Poetry is a creative motivator for me. A poem, like lyrics in a song, is a story in its most condensed form.
Here is one of my personal favorites. If you’re laboring under any stresses or exhaustions that are damming up the works, I hope it gives you the dynamite you need to release the river.
Jack London’s “Credo”
I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out
in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom
of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.
Author of speculative fiction 