A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.
—Dante

There is a quiet spark of an idea in each writer, especially as winter approaches. You will be aware of this as something that wants to come out.

You may think that you must wait until you have something to say—an idea, an insight, or something known. When I feel this way, I start writing onto the page, whatever is on my mind. I often journal this way, until I have the germ of an idea. Then, I start writing in a more focused way and eventually, it evolves into a poem. For you, it may be an essay, short story, or even a novel.

Much of what you write may be totally unusable, incoherent, but then eventually something important emerges – your unique way of seeing things from your singular and distinctive life.

I was in the state of looking for a new project when I traveled to Costa Rica in winter three years ago. It was there that I met the Norwegian artist, Irene Christensen, who was doing a series of paintings on women at the heart of the environmental movement. I fell in love with these paintings and started writing poem responses to them. The paintings were the spark I needed at that time.

That’s how Dread and Splendor: Paintings and Poems for a New Earth developed. The dread is what’s happening to the environment. The splendor is the paintings and poems that developed. This book will be published by Shanti Arts Press in January 2026 (www.ShantiArts.com.)

Whatever inspires you, follow your spark a a writer, and you will find your inspiration and next project there. Follow me here monthly as I report about writing, inspiration, and the progress of my new book.