Jacob Ritari
“As a rule of comedy combining something cute with something sinister is good for a laugh, and the logic is the same as the real-life behavior
Jump to navigation Skip to content
In this online exclusive we ask authors to share books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired them in their writing. We see this as a place for writers to turn to for ideas that will help feed their creative process.
“As a rule of comedy combining something cute with something sinister is good for a laugh, and the logic is the same as the real-life behavior
“Rules. I’m a big believer in structure, and the idea that creativity loosens up when constrained a bit.
“Never start writing in a bad mood—makes it too easy to quit before you get going.
“I’ve been reading the journals of Albert Camus since I was thirteen years old and his words have become my most faithful and intimate companions.
“I take inspiration from the subtle daily forecasting of death. This should be impetus for anyone to get off his ass.
“Sometimes typos can be helpful. Looking at a poem in a language you can’t read, and working from the sounds.
“As Jerome Washington wrote, 'The blues is our antidote.’ So I listen. Blues doctors like Neal Pattman inspire something in a writer’s blood. Anyone who can play harmonica like he can, with one arm no less, will get me going.
“To get my mind ready for writing, I try to sit quietly and stare at nothing for ten minutes.
“José Martí wrote, ‘In the world there must be certain degrees of honor just as there must be certain degrees of light.
“I’ve figured out things that were stonewalling me during cross-country drives, and usually when I’m trying to pull an all-nighter to avoid traffic and get there in less time—maybe it’s all the caffeine and the mesmerizing white lines in the middle of the road.