Even in this age of social media, link sharing and shout outs, Google and other search engines are STILL the biggest bringer of Bang2writers to this blog!
“Writing inspiration” and “writing success” are key searchwords that generate traffic to B2W, so I love Stephanie’s fab, informative and frank post on finding one’s way out of the writing doldrums. Enjoy!
Writers never expect to face lack of inspiration. Unfortunately, the reality is harsh. No matter how enthusiastic you are about the new project, you’ll inevitably come to a point where you struggle. That’s just the way it is!
Every writer needs to renew the initial inspiration that drives him or her towards its completion. There are different methods you can implement, but we collected the most successful ones. So here’s 10 tips that will help you discover – or recover! – your inspiration for writing:
1) Tell a true story!
When you cannot think of a situation that would add depth to your screenplay, novel, short story, or blog post, tell a true story! Dig through your memory; you’ll probably find an experience related to the plot you’re working on.
If you don’t find anything in your memory folders, then share an experience from your friend’s life. Of course, you’ll change the names and location, so you won’t reveal any unpleasant things you shouldn’t. Here is another solution: write something about your hobby or passion. When you rely on your own knowledge and experience, the final result will be much more believable. MORE: How True Can A “True Story” Be?
2) Watch the behaviour of people around you!
There is no better teacher than the life that surrounds you. Observe the body language, tone, and arguments of people in different situations. You’ll find an endless source of inspiration in other people’s behaviour. Analyse their appearance and attitude, and develop your own characters based on these impressions. MORE: 5 Ways To Blast Through Writer’s Block
3) Write something. Anything!
Just sit and start filling the blank page with words. Don’t be concerned about sense or form; just pour your thoughts and emotions onto the page. Do not pause to edit. If you find yourself staring without a single thought coming to your mind, pick few random words from the dictionary and see what direction they lead you to.
You’ll probably end up with a senseless piece of content, but don’t be discouraged! Once you’re done with it, analyse the flow of thoughts and you’ll inevitably find some really good starting points in all that clutter. MORE: How To Do “Free Writing”
4) Change your habits!
Your comfort zone can be detrimental to your inspiration. Get out of it! Are you used to writing in your favorite coffee shop? Why don’t you try another one? When you make a shift in the environment, you’ll notice different faces and characters worthy of exploring.
Don’t be afraid to place yourself in uncomfortable situations that push your limits. MORE: How to Deal With Writers’ Block: Top 6 DON’Ts
5) Brainstorm!
Think of a starting idea and see how it inspires your mind. Don’t try to rationalise the process; just write any ideas and associations that occur to you. Some of your thoughts seem irrelevant to the initial idea? Don’t worry about it; just write and you’ll try to find the sense later. MORE: Beating Writer’s Block: 4 Useful Exercises
6) Write about your dreams!
You just had a vivid dream that haunts you throughout the day? Why don’t you write something about it? Keep a notebook close to your bed. When a dream wakes you up, write whatever you can remember from it. You might find that you get the most inspiring ideas in your sleep. MORE: 5 Ways To Stay Focused On Your Writing Dream
7) Run or take a walk!
When you’re stuck in the middle of a writing project, make sure to get away from the city! Walk through the grass and breathe some fresh air. If there is a forest, lake, river, or any other type of natural setting in your area, it can become your greatest inspiration.
Physical activity is important because it calms you down and gives you something to focus on. Plus, it brings fresh blood to your brain, so you’ll be stimulated to work after the running or walking session. MORE: You Are Not Wasting Your Time
8) Watch your favourite movies and read the authors you admire!
It’s a wonder what reading can do to your brain. You can analyse masterful style and realise why it awakens such strong emotions. Don’t underestimate the power of great movies! You’ll surely get inspired by insightful dialogue and unexpected scenes. MORE: 20 Inspirational Quotes Writers Can Learn From (And Why)
9) Let music take you to a better place
Analyze the feelings and special memories that awaken when you listen to a familiar piece of instrumental music. Don’t be afraid to experiment, though. See what a new genre has to offer; you might get inspired by the unknown sound. MORE: Keep It Simple: What Writers Can Learn About Plot From Pop Videos
10) Travel!
If there is a place you always wanted to see, take the risk and just get a ticket! That’s where you’ll find the inspiration you lost. MORE: 6 Ways YOU’RE Stopping Your Own Writing Success
Don’t Wait for Your Muse! Discover It!
Writing can get you tired. You may force yourself to get to work until you reach a point when nothing matters anymore. But don’t give up and don’t wait for inspiration to hit you! Take action and try some of the methods above; they will keep you going stronger than ever.
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BIO: Stephanie Norman from Sydney is a professional writer with 4 years’ experience. She writes articles, film and literature reviews and provides editing service to Australian Writings, a company that offers assignment help and assistance for students. You can follow her as @NormanNorman777 on Twitter and at Facebook and Google+ .
