by Rob Sanders

Have you ever been told, “Just wait and inspiration will strike”? The adage gives the impression that inspiration is out of our control, and we have to wait on its arrival, no different than waiting for lightning to strike. Then there’s the opposite side of the coin when we’re told, “Inspiration is everywhere. If you can’t find it then you’re not looking.” That saying makes me feel as if there’s something lacking in my creative spirit if I’m searching for ideas, writing solutions, or inspiration and they’re elusive. Perhaps the root of inspiration lies within the creative spirit itself, or as I like to call it—the creative muse.

You may have met your creative muse without even realizing it. Have you ever had a serendipitous moment when the perfect word or phrase came to mind? Ever been on a walk and quite literally could see the tree rather than the forest for a new project? Ever visited a museum and found the impact of the work gave you creative energy for days? That, my friend, is your creative muse at work.

Your creative muse is not some magical being that waves a wand indiscriminately or something that you conjure up by dancing around a fire with your critique partners. Your creative muse is an ever-present part of you—sometimes active, sometimes silent, always waiting to be fed and nourished.

In The Miracle of the Artist’s Date Julia Cameron explores what I think is the key to feeding your creative muse—the artist’s date. Long before I read Cameron’s book, I went on what I called creative encounters. My encounters included museums, musicals, one-day trips, hikes, and more. Those creative encounters did exactly what Cameron says an artist’s date does, they nourished my creative spirit, my creative muse.

I recommend treating your muse to a creative encounter at least once a month. What ignites your creative energy and inspires your writing muse will be unique to you. For some it may be live theater, a concert, or another kind of performance. For others it may be touring an art installation, gallery, or museum. Others may benefit from a trip to the beach or time to think during a walk through the woods. Scouring cookbooks, trying out a new recipe, or recreating a family meal from years gone by may inspire someone else. Whatever you choose, I recommend that you let your creative encounter be something out of your normal routine, something special for you, and not something related to research for an upcoming project. I have found that creative encounters are most effective for me when I experience them alone—but that may vary from person to person.

The teacher in me also thinks there’s a need to reflect after a creative encounter to help your logical self realize what has impacted your creative self. Whether it be the day after, the next week, or a month later, think back on the creative encounter, what you enjoyed about the experience, and what changes you noticed in your creativity following the experience. Don’t get hung up on results since your muse may be inspired by an encounter months later, but do reflect so you can determine which creative encounters are most meaningful and helpful to you.

Here’s a goal for you—how about planning one creative encounter each month in 2026? Feed your creative muse and see what results come from it. Don’t wait for inspiration to strike—though it might. If inspiration is everywhere, grab it and hold on to it. But feed your creative muse, too. Now, go enjoy a creative encounter!

Rob Sanders, from Brandon, Florida, is a teacher who writes and a writer who teaches. He is known for his funny and fierce fiction and nonfiction picture books and is recognized as one of the pioneers in the arena of LGBTQ+ literary nonfiction picture books. Rob’s nonfiction books continue to break new ground, including the first picture books about the Pride Flag, the Stonewall Uprising, a transgender Civil War soldier, a gay presidential candidate, and the first gay marriage in America. His work also continues to introduce readers to heroes of the LGBTQ+ community—from Harvey Milk to Gilbert Baker, from Cleve Jones to Bayard Rustin, and more. His fiction explores friendship, relationships, standing up for others, and being allies. Blood Brothers, his first middle grade novel, written in powerful, raw verse released in July 2022 and was named an NCTE 2023 Notable Novel in Verse. 2025 releases included the warm-hearted story, Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s Journey and André: André Leon Talley—A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale, co-authored with Carol Boston Weatherford. 2025 will see the release of A Family of Readers (Charlesbridge) and Play Proud: Fiercely Fabulous Queer Athletes (Beaming Books). Rob believes in paying it forward. He serves on the SCBWI Impact and Legacy Fund Steering Committee and is a frequent speaker, teacher, mentor, coach, and critiquer. Rob is represented by Rubin Pfeffer and Amy Flynn of Aevitas Creative Management. Visit him at robsanderswrites.com and on Instagram @RobSandersWrites.