Inspiration

As I am temporarily between projects, I am devouring new books.  Some, of course, are only new to me–you may well have read them.  Every Tuesday, I head for Audible.com
Today’s listen is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, though I am nearly through.  On the playlist are: “Drowning Ruth”, by Christina Schwarz, “The Book of Polly” by Kathy Hepinstall, “The House Hunter”, one of James Patterson’s BookShot titles, “The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients”, Theresa Brown, RN, “Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy”, by Nicholas Reynolds, a book about Ernest Hemingway and his adventures during World War II, “Gone” and “Wait for Me”, by Elizabeth Naughten, both of which are romantic suspense titles.  I love suspense, provided it isn’t too violent.  🙂  I listen to/read a lot of nonfiction, especially histories, biographies and memoirs, but this week, I’m mostly in the mood for fiction, it would seem.  Since I haven’t read/listened to any of these books, I cannot recommend them–YET.  What I can recommend is “Lincoln in the Bardo”, by George Saunders–spooky, brilliant, and totally addictive, but also dark.  Once again, “The Five-Second Rule”, by Mel Robbins–I’m so impressed with this book that I’ve watched Ms. Robbins’ TED talk (she looks nothing like I thought she would, listening to her voice) and will be subscribing to her videos on YouTube.
On the musical playlist: Josh Turner’s “Deep South”, Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, Michael Martin Murphy–I LOVE this guy’s music and the stories told in his songs, Red Steagall, “Dear Mama, I’m a Cowboy” (again, wonderful cowboy stories told in music), Christian artists Chris Rice, Bebo Norman, and the band, Passion.  I also like Bach, Beethoven and Mozart–brain music; call me crazy, but I can feel those synapses firing when I listen!   It’s a little like having a head full of fireflies–but in a good way.  🙂  I often listen to music when I write, but I generally avoid anything with lyrics, as I find them distracting.  Music is also inspiring, however, and I often say I can sit down and write a Western if I listen to Marty Robbins, or Waylon and Willie singing “Pancho and Lefty”.  The movie “Legends of the Fall” has a similar effect–I’m not a huge Brad Pitt fan, but I adore the character he plays in this movie–Tristan.  The John Wayne/Maureen O’Hara film, “McClintock” inspired by historical romance, “The Vow”, and that story is still one of my favorite book-children.
Travel certainly inspires me, as does art–doing my own, or looking at that of others.  Animals, prayer, gardens and bold colors do, as well.
What inspires you?