As a writer, there are times when my creativity
dries up like a parched desert. Writer’s block is something most authors
experience at one time or another. We lose our sense of purpose or inspiration.
It’s happened to me when I get discouraged collecting rejection slips—a fate
common to most writers. There are many ways to get back on track. Here are some
suggestions that have worked for me at one time or other in coping with lack of
inspiration:
Select a set time for writing each day. (I prefer
the early morning.) If you’re a night owl, working in the evening may be better
for you. Try to choose a time when you are least likely to suffer interruptions
and distractions.
Practice meditation. It both calms and stimulates mental
function.
When you are feeling discouraged or unproductive, get
away from the computer and go for a walk. Outdoors is best. Sunshine and fresh
air are invigorating. If it’s too cold, too hot or nasty outside, use a
treadmill or drive over to a mall and walk around inside.
Visit a bookstore and browse. Buy a book you’d like
to read.
Visit a library and browse. Borrow a book that
looks interesting.
If you’re a fiction writer, read some nonfiction:
books, magazines and newspapers, in print or online. If you’re a nonfiction
writer, pick up a novel to read. Try to read something you wouldn’t ordinary
peruse. Broaden your horizons. Reading
Communicate with other people. Talk to friends and
family. Take an interest in their lives.
Listen in on
conversations you overhear in restaurants and at gatherings.
Visit a museum. Study the displays. Take notes on
those things that interest you.
Go to an art gallery and study the paintings for
inspiration. Put yourself into an
interesting painting. Who are you? Where
are you? What are you doing?
Take a trip somewhere you’ve never been before. Get
out of your comfort zone and predictable life style. Visit a different city or
a different country. Plan a vacation. The stimulation of meeting unfamiliar
people and seeing different places can inspire new thoughts and ideas.
Finally, we come full circle. Help can be found on
the internet as well. For example, check
out this essay on the different techniques employed by successful, famous authors
to stimulate their writing:
Comments welcome here!
Hi Jacqueline,
ReplyDeleteAll great suggestions! I've never had writer's block. At the risk of repeating some ideas from your posts, let me indicate some "products" I use to avoid it: write stuff down as what-ifs, theme and plot ideas, character sketches, notes on possible settings, dialogue snippets, and so forth. Napkins in a bar, restaurant, or coffee house are great for that. Just get them onto the laptop ASAP! I was doing that all my life prior to first publishing in 2006. Of course, for that "next story," I have to refer to those notes.
Oh, I forgot two things: (1) Challenges! I challenged myself to add mystery and thriller genres to my sci-fi CV, also YA. That used a lot of those "products" mentioned above. (2) Expanding short fiction into novels. When I start a story, I never know whether it will be a short, novella, or novel. The latter is a marathon, so I often just make it a dash. With writing, one can turn that dash into a 1500 meter race or a marathon later on. ;-)
r/Steve
Steven,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for offering a detailed commentary on ways to avoid suffering from writer's block. You're obviously very creative.
I haven't experienced real writer's block, but when I feel drained and need to fill the well, I love taking a walk, finding physical chores to do especially outside, and getting out of the house to a new area. I also meditate and try to read widely. Good post, Jacquie, especially for those frustrated with writer's block.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteI also find walking to be beneficial in all respects.
Great post as usual. Unfortunately, writer's block is a problem we all face sometime, though hopefully rarely. Thanks for the ideas! Susan, aka Janis
ReplyDeleteHi Janis,
DeleteThanks for commenting. We hope to never experience the loss of creativity, but it does happen.
Thanks for the interesting post, Jacqueline. If I have writer's block, it's usually not a lack of ideas, but a problem of being either too close or too far removed from the subject of the writing. For example, after a devastating hurricane, I couldn't write about hurricanes. And if too much time elapsed, I might be too detached from the experience to write about it. Distance, for me, is a huge factor.
ReplyDeleteA very interesting observation, Saralyn.
ReplyDeleteAll of these "prescriptions" work even if a person does not get writer's block.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Sharon. I believe they spark our creative juices.
DeleteAll good points, Jacqueline. When I lived closer to the ocean I used to like to drive up the coast, music blasting. That always seemed to help me get over any problems I was having on the page.
ReplyDeleteTaking a drive and listening to music especially close to the ocean is great for the psyche.
DeleteGreat suggestions, and I have tried every one of them some time in my career. Meditation through a nature walk and traveling to some exotic/new clime work wonders. Thanks for another thoughtful blog!
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteThanks for the comments. Nature walks and traveling are wonderful.
ALL wonderful tips, Jacqueline
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT
Thank you, Pam. It's always a pleasure hearing from you.
DeleteAt the moment, my biggest barrier to writing is being too busy. I definitely find that setting aside an early section of my day is how to get back on track. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteKathy,
DeleteI believe the hardest part of writing for anyone who has a regular job is setting the needed time aside. I know that was true for me as well.