#writingslump

[lowbudgethawkeye]

I need to write...but I don't know what to write. I'm losing my mind here!

[lowbudgethawkeye]

Sigh..

I've been so busy with this new puppy that it's hard to find the time and motivation to rp right now. Of course I'm loving having something else to occupy my time but writing is essentially my coping mechanism and not having time for that right now is actually quite upsetting to me.

Time management is not a skill I've been gifted with, unfortunately.

[essenceofsuzi]

WRITING SLUMP

I have a couple of projects on hold. The reason being I tend to lose my motivation for writing.

Anytime I feel stuck or I need a solution to just about anything, I google it. So while searching for fun writing exercises to motivate me, I came across the idea of diary entries. The idea is to have your MC write a diary entry about events happening or a situation they're currently in. This also works well for any character you're struggling with. I love this idea because I keep a journal myself and I think it's a fun way to use something in a story that I use in my daily life.

Here are a couple of links related to this idea.

3 Reasons Diaries are Essential to Your Story

Diaries and letters offer creative means of exploring your characters' psyche. Try this narrative device to reveal—and withhold—key informat

5 Challenges to Writing a Diary Novel - Eva Langston

Writing a novel as a series of diary entries can be a great way to tell a story. But if you're writing a diary novel, keep in mind...

Stay tuned for a related post featuring the diary entry.

[thirstybearrecords]

5 Crazy Tips To Inspire New Song Ideas

Inevitably at some point in your music career ideas, melodies and hook lines with taper to a screeching halt and you will find the endless flow of work, school or family blinding your way to writing the great tunes you once penned with ease. I've compiled an off the wall list of 5 tips to lube the creative machine and hopefully get you out of that rut if and when you may arrive there. #1-Challenge yourself to listen to a new genre; even if it's one you don't necessarily like. 5 years ago I started listening to obscure indie rock garage bands and although I didn't enjoy 60% of what I initially heard, I heard new melodic patterns and production ideas that I would never have heard on mainstream radio. Which brings me to another good point-DON'T LISTEN TO MAINSTREAM RADIO-the world doesn't need another Taylor Swift, Adele or Justin Beiber! #2-Turn on a new radio station in your car or on your computer and turn it to the lowest volume you can to where you can't definitively make out the melody but can still hear the music. Your brain is going to constantly try to make out notes, riffs or melodic patterns and in the process you will come about a process I call 'melodic regurgitation' which has been very effective for me when I go through melodic blocks. #3-Go to a record store or get a copy of the 1000 best albums of all time and sift through song titles. There is no copyright law in using a song title and writing your own original song to it. It can also be very inspiring to get song ideas as well. #4-Find your ideal time of day when you're the most inspired. For me it is right before I fall asleep (when it's the least convenient time to grab a pen or a recorder!) Take advantage of these times and don't let anything distract you. ALWAYS WRITE DOWN/RECORD YOUR SONG IDEAS! Never assume you will remember them because many times you will forget them. #5-Co-write-this is not a ground breaking concept but one that I've come to admire especially in the Nashville music scene. With co-writing you not only have the ability to cross promote, but you can also save money on the production by splitting costs and sharpen your songwriting skills by learning from other writers. The most important thing to remember is the BE CONSISTENT! You wouldn't go to the gym and just do one workout for the year. Rather you need to condition your body regularly, do different exercises, keep it fresh and challenge yourself in creative ways. I wish you all the best this year and hope you can take just one thing from this list into your own writing and write some great songs! Nathan Brumley *holds with Grey's Anatomy & Vampire Diaries *cuts with the Young And The Restless, Nickelodeon, Life Unexpected, Palisades Pool Party, and Surprise Homecoming *2nd overall winner of the USA Songwriting Competition in 2008 and 1st place in lyrics in the 2012 USA Songwriting Competition *Discmakers Top 14 Acts Of The Southeast 2007 *Nashville Lightning 100 *featured artist-July 2009 *Warner Brothers artist of the month for film placement March 2009 *I Tunes/Tunecore Top 25 Song Of Summer winner July 2012