The Discipline of Inspiration

Christianity Today Book Awards Culture, Poetry, and the Arts Finalist (2025)

Learn where inspiration comes from and how to harness it in your life and work.

We all know the sensation of inspiration. It's what tells a painter what to paint and a singer how to sing—and what prompts us to throw a new spice into an old recipe.

But what is inspiration? When we train artists, we typically identify them by their talent and train them in technique. We talk very little about the crucial creative spark of inspiration. Where does it come from? What does it want from us? How can we get more of it?

In The Discipline of Inspiration, Carey Wallace meditates on this vital spark and on the ways artists have negotiated with it across genres and throughout history. She also offers practical methods—including silence, community, and rest—to help everyone access more inspiration, more often. Artists will develop a fresh perspective on inspiration and learn new tools for their creative practice. And readers from all walks of life will discover the transformative power of inspiration in every aspect of their lives.