Vision, Voice, and the Power of Creation: Finding Inspiration

In the given excerpt, what inspired the author to find Merlin's voice?

A) He had difficulty finding Merlin's voice.

B) His inspiration was the owl outside his window.

C) His old ideas were not working for Merlin's voice.

D) He spent a lot of time thinking about Merlin's voice.

Answer:

The correct answer is B) His inspiration was the owl outside his window.

The author, T. A. Barron, revealed in the excerpt that his inspiration for finding Merlin's voice came from the owl outside his window. Listening to the haunting and mysterious hooting of a great horned owl in the pre-dawn hours provided him with a new cadence, rhythm, and ultimately, a new voice for the character of Merlin.

Barron mentioned spending a significant amount of time trying to listen to the voice of Merlin, indicating that he was actively searching for the right inspiration. The owl's resonant call sparked a creative breakthrough for him, leading to the discovery of Merlin's voice.

This revelation highlights the importance of being open to unexpected sources of inspiration in the creative process. The author's experience serves as a reminder that inspiration can come from unlikely places and that being attuned to the world around us can lead to valuable insights and discoveries.