My Secret Stash

I keep a secret stash of writing inspiration on a Pinterest board.

No, it’s not a bunch of cheesy quotes about how “Writers are awesome,” and, “You can do it one word at a time!”

Instead, any time I’m doom scrolling and I come across something that makes me laugh, cry, or get angry; I pin it. Then, when I need a little inspiration for triggering a certain emotion I can go back and look at it.

Would you like to see some examples?

I’ll share some with you, but I warn you, they smack of clickbait. (That’s why I only use them for inspiration.)

The bride’s father died and his heart was donated. The Man who received the transplant walked her down the aisle.
Brian, a retired gentleman in Dublin, spends his evenings every night making 50 tubs of curry for the homeless. Living on a pension and paying for all this himself.
92 year old man makes a card for his 93 year old wife.

I thought I was calling my mom. But I had the wrong number and…

My cousin has Leukemia and went to the arcade to get her mind off of things. A random teen won her all these stuffed animals.

Are these true? Are they real people and events? Or are they fictitious constructs?

The answers to those questions don’t really matter. What matters is the effect. Because when you need to write, pulling emotions out of thin air can be challenging.

Having a repository of ready inspiration makes it easier.

And now you know about my secret stash of feels.

 – Zac Smith, VC