Diary/Journal/Whatever is Manly

Chapter 14

Tyler

"To inspire, what is it? What does it come down to? How can one thing draw something, and yet repel another? How can something, that one considers to be inconsequential, band thousands, if not millions together? Is it pack mentality? Is it tapping into human behaviour? Is it simply luck?

I don't know... If I did, I would be a billionaire living of my creations. If I could understand what inspires people, lures them in, invokes them to love one thing over the other... If I could unlock this secret: we wouldn't be learning about Picasso, we wouldn't be awing at Van Vogh, we wouldn't be copying Da Vinci, or remembering the name Monet.

If I could overwhelm people with emotions, make them stop and stare, invoke desire, devotion and awe. If I could inspire, I would go down as the new definition of the word 'artist'."

---

"Quick question, if you could be the greatest in your field, would you take the opportunity?" It was a chorus of agreements from the gang, as they enjoyed lunch together after class. They had come back from the festival weekend and, had been thrown straight back into their college work.

"No." The mumble was quiet, but strong enough to silence the entire table.

"No! What do you mean no!?" Tyler exclaimed.

"I mean no, you wanna hear it in Spanish, noh." 

"That's my girl!" Stacey yelled, as soon as the famous meme fell out of Misty's mouth.

"Why would you not want to be the greatest in your field?" Dennis asked over the twin's laughter.

"Uh... the constant pressure, the interviews, the watching of your every move, the need for validation, th--"

"Okay, we get it!" Stacey exclaimed.

"I'm just saying the cons outweigh the pros in this scenario. People will be constantly looking to you for the next big breakthrough, whilst you're just trying to find time to get some sleep. And, don't even get me started if you do something that society deems as unacceptable, you'd never live it down."

"Yeah, but think about all the lives you'd touch, all the minds you'd inspire."

"Not worth it."

"Misty!"

"I'm just saying, it's all fun and games when you're dreaming about it, but when you're living it..."

"Can you imagine if my favourite band had your attitude? There would've been no festival!" Tyler exclaimed in distress.

"Why is that you favourite band?" Misty saw the opportunity to change the subject and took it.

"Uh, because... they're freakin' amazing. If I'm being honest they weren't always my favourite, Bon Jovi had that place. That's mainly because my dad loved them, so naturally I loved them. But, then he died, I grew up, and my tastes evolved."

"No one's going to yell out Tyler's name, for callously saying his dad died?" Misty asked, confused by the silence.

"Misty!" 

"This is not fair. There is no winning with you people, and your double standards." Misty huffed, causing Tyler to laugh. He thought she looked quite adorable, playing the part of a petulant child. "Whatever, how do you decide on a favourite?"

"I can't describe it... their music just makes sense. It's like you and words, when you're writing. You know how they just come to you, and flow out onto the page... it makes sense."

"So, what you're saying is that inspiration is just luck?"

"No?" Tyler said though it sounded like a question.

"But, if something inspires you and you don't know why, isn't it just coincidental?"

"I don't thin--"

"Interesting debate, I'll bring it up at my class, see what the others think about. Bye guys, see you later." Misty rushed out, as she packed up her stuff and left the group bewildered.

---

Misty

"I take something personal,
transform it into something new.
A creation I set free,
on display for all to see.
What do they think?
What will the say?
The feelings I pour in,
will they move your heart in the same way?
If I tell you to do something,
Will you obey, like I'm king?
If I take something personal,
transform it into something new?
What will it inspire you to do?

'Fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative'. That is the definition of the word 'inspire'. As writers we take experiences and give them a fictional twist. I could take a sad moment from my life, write a tragedy, cause thousands to cry, and inspire change. How? That I don't know. Why some people will respond to a story a certain way. There have been best-sellers, that I have absolutely hated, and books with no mention that I have absolutely loved. How can one thing touch my heart over another? We all write about the same things, same genres, same characters, same stories. Yet, only some people get it right. We know what it is, we have a concept; an understanding. But, do we truly know how to inspire?"