Writing Advice: How to get rid of inspiration and writer’s block
10 tips to get your story going again!
1. Identifying the problem.
To find the solution you must identify the problem. Take some time first to think about why you have a block. Is it because you don’t want to do it? Is it because something doesn't seem right or that you don’t like it? If so, you've already answered your question as to the problem. Focus on that throughout these tips, because identifying the problem is a step to defeating it.
2. Move onto a different part of the story.
As I mentioned in a previous post, sometimes writers get stuck in the viewpoint that chapters must be written in sequence. However, forcing yourself to write a chapter you’re not invested in is asking for a disaster in the creativity department. If you’re finding one part of your story troublesome, move on to something you want to write. You’ll be surprised how quickly that can move inspiration blocks, as they are usually associated with a lack of interest towards a particular part. It is also worth considering that perhaps there is an inherent problem with that part of the story. Remember, if you are not interested in it, your readers won’t be. You can always go back to that part later when you have ideas for it, or maybe ask yourself what about it you don’t like so that you can change it for the better of yourself and your potential readers!
3. Make a list of things that inspire you.
I do this a lot and what’s most important to me is that I rarely use these resources outside of being stuck for inspiration so that my mind associates them with being inspired. As always, find what works for you as an individual. Make a list of books, songs (more on this later) movies, games, photos or anything else that gets those creative juices going. Focus on these when you are stuck. Remember that it’s okay to take as much inspiration as you like from other people as long as it’s not direct copying and it has your own original idea as the forefront. You can only learn from both the mistakes and successes of others. Think about it, just about every book ever created will have taken inspiration and ideas from it’s predecessors.
4. Do something you hate.
Do some chores or a task equally as dull and you’ll soon find that your mind will wander to other things. The basis of this one is very simple. Do something so boring that the prospect of writing and ideas seems easy in comparison. You’ll probably find your mind wandering back to your story in no time.
5. Just write whatever!
Open a document and limit the amount of distractions around you. Sometimes we can get too prepared to deal with inspiration. When we prepare everything meticulously and make everything perfect we can sometimes inadvertently block the inspiration we are trying to seek. Loosen up, take away all distractions and just look at things in the most simple of ways. Then just write. It doesn't matter if it’s garbage, if it doesn't make sense, you’re writing! This can often clear the block that you've been having because often the fear is getting that first word of the day down. When you see a paragraph or a page of writing down, whether or not it’s useless, that first initial struggle is already over and you know you can progress.
6. Watch the world go around.
Take a walk or a bus ride and just admire the world before your eyes. Watch how people move around, how they converse and how different events transpire. Sometimes we can get too sealed up in our writing worlds that we need that breath of fresh air so that we can see real life to help us contextualize our own work. This is especially important when writing any stories that take place in our world and our time period as it gives you a very realistic approach to how you might deal with certain conversations and actions between your characters; though of course there are some things that are helpful regardless of the genre you work with. Reality may seem boring but look into the details and you will be surprised at the oddities of life you can find.
7. Have a music playlist.
This is similar to having a general inspiration playlist, however this is especially important so I have put it in a separate section. Music is not to be underestimated. The power music has on our emotions can be so potent as to make us stressed or make us sad or happy. Spend a good amount of time finding a playlist of the best songs for you work. Perhaps pick certain songs for writing certain parts of your story, not all your work will have the same emotional tones so your music shouldn't. Close your eyes, listen to the music and think about your story in context to it. I guarantee some powerful imagery and ideas will occur! Similarly, try to find a website that uses free sound effects. If you’re writing a scene in the rain, play the sound effects of rain in the background. Immerse yourself. Freesound is an excellent resource for this.
8. Listen to people’s life stories.
If you can, try to speak to people you know, especially the elderly about their life experiences. Life experience is invaluable and sometimes people’s stories are entire novels themselves, full of amazing experiences that are beyond imagining. Of course, it’s always polite to ask permission to incorporate any ideas and to explain to them why you are asking, even if the similarities may be difficult to recognise in the end. (In my opinion they should never be instantly identifiable. You should always try and change things around a bit as to not make it a direct copy of someone’s life) From my experience, most people are flattered to hear that you may integrate some of their past events into your story and will ask to read it once your story is finished. There you go, you have your first fans!
9. Take a shower.
I'm sure there is some science around this but for some reason showers are one of the best places to soak up not just the water but also the inspiration. Even a few minutes in the shower and you’ll already be contemplating not only life but hopefully your plot and everything in it. Give it a go, focus on what is troubling you with inspiration next time you take a shower and just let those ideas flow through.
10. Be yourself!
We can be so self-critical of ourselves when we should not be. This can cause us to hate our work when actually there is no reason to. This can often lead us to having inspiration or writing blocks just because we have no faith in ourselves. Ultimately you must always enjoy what you write and shouldn't get too focused on what others think until you've gained the confidence in yourself. Your readers will be able to tell in your writing whether you are happy with your work or not, so being happy in yourself and loving your work is the key to getting others to love it equally.
