Put Some Spring in That Step By Nevada McPherson
Let’s welcome back monthly columnist Nevada McPherson as she shares with us “Put Some Spring in That Step.” Enjoy!
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Spring has truly arrived and so has the time for renewal, rebirth and rejuvenation! Are you inspired? Yes? Maybe? Not so much?
The last day of classes before spring break I wanted to send my creative writing class off to enjoy the time away from school with a burst of creative inspiration for the next project.
It feels like I’ve been talking a lot. In addition to discussing the stories and lessons in our book, students have heard plenty about my views, adventures, and misadventures in the world of writing.
I thought perhaps I’d find an inspirational video to share, words from someone whose success and advice would give them food for thought, chicken soup for the soul and a spark to bring it all to a boil.
I looked at many videos of successful, interesting and accomplished individuals and alas, found that I wasn’t feeling particularly inspired that day, that even with the witty words of these august mentor figures, nothing was working.
Perhaps it was the energy of the day at the end of a long week where I was finding it difficult to settle my mind to anything.
So I didn’t show a video, I just reiterated some things about students’ portfolios and let them go on their way, if they chose to do so.
If they wanted to stay the last few minutes and ask questions or get started on something, they were welcome to. I said that I would remain until the end of our allotted time and help anyone that might need help.
One person stayed to type for a bit and I stared at the computer screen myself.
I decided to type in a keyword regarding a story I was doodling around with — an ambitious future project that would require research and imagination, that could turn out to be complex and frustrating, but would ultimately make a great story. It was about an unsolved murder mystery, but also could be about so much more.
As I read some of the results of the search on my topic, I took out a notebook and started writing down names, resources, and book titles that would take me to the next step.
On this low energy day when I hadn’t been able to find something inspiring to share, I was inspired!
What changed?
I really don’t know the answer, except that maybe the time had come for action more than talk.
Sometimes the time for talk is over; sometimes even the best talk from the best minds can’t beat simply taking action.
Our workshops begin when we return to class, so the time for action really is here.
One step will lead to another to break us all out of our winter blahs once and for all.
Time to get excited about the next project, next step, next phase.
Today do one simple thing that will move you forward, and take the next step!
Happy writing!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nevada McPherson lives with her husband Bill and rescue Chihuahua, Mitzi in Milledgeville, Georgia, where she is an associate professor of Humanities at Georgia Military College. Nevada received a BA in English/Creative Writing and an MFA in Screenwriting from Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge. She has written over a dozen feature-length screenplays, plays, short stories and the graphic novels, Uptowners and Piano Lessons. Queensgate, the sequel to Uptowners, is her third graphic novel. For more information, visit www.nevada-mcpherson.com.
