When your writing feels flat, or you don’t have ideas, there are numerous ways to jumpstart your creativity and get the words flowing again. As writers, we all encounter moments when our minds seem void of inspiration, our fingers hover above the keyboard, and every idea feels stale. Don’t despair! These periods of creative drought are not only common, but they’re surmountable. Here are some tried-and-true techniques to help you reignite that creative spark and keep your writing momentum going.
Stop Pressuring Yourself for Inspiration
One of the best things you can do is stop putting pressure on yourself to feel inspired. The reality is that inspiration is only a small part of writing. It’s what gets you started on an idea, but it won’t finish the story you’re writing. The best thing you can do is to put words on paper. It doesn’t matter if those words are, “This is the stupidest idea ever, and I don’t like it.” Eventually, your brain and hand will move on from that, and you’ll find your space.
Revisit Your Journals
Go back to your journal writing and read. What grabs your attention? A sentence here or an image there. Something small that makes you sit up and pay attention. You’ll hear your inner writer’s voice say, “Hey, that’s a great idea.” Listen to it. You may literally feel yourself sitting up a little straighter when you find your idea.
Read for Inspiration
Reading books, stories, or articles sparks inspiration. When people say to steal like an artist, this is what they mean. Go back to your favorite book and read your favorite passages. Or choose something new. Short stories, books, even nonfiction, and news can ignite your creativity. In the Inspired Writer Community, we have workshops based on this principle. Writing prompts that spark new ideas can come from anywhere, whether you’re looking at bizarre stock images or weird news stories.
Embrace Bad Ideas
When figuring out how to start writing a book, allow yourself to have bad ideas. Don’t discard an idea because you think it’s no good as you write it. Your writing self is a terrible editor. If you allow your editing brain to take control while writing, you’ll likely judge and discard writing with potential. Instead, make a list of ideas and allow them to be as silly or bad as they can be. When you go back to look at them later, you’ll be surprised how many of your bad ideas inspire you to create stories you want to tell.
Use Writing Prompts
Writing prompts also reignite your inspiration. QA prompt can be anything from a single word to a detailed scenario. The key is to let the prompt guide you into writing something, anything, and see where it takes you.
Take a Class
Find motivation by taking a class. There’s nothing like writing with other people to move your writing forward. I found this to be true in the flash fiction workshop Kathy Fish led for the Inspired Writer Community. I created three new stories, one for each of the prompts she gave us. Classes and workshops provide structure, deadlines, and feedback, all of which are invaluable for pushing through writer’s block if you’re looking for guidance on how to start writing a book, basic writing courses can offer structured support and invaluable feedback.
Join a Coworking Session
Harness the power of a coworking when you want to get things done. The accountability of having others sitting in the room or on a Zoom call with you creates the support and focus you need to write. We have these sessions every week in our writing community, and during NaNoWriMo, even more often. When you write with support, you write better.
So, when you don’t feel inspired, take heart. You’re like every other writer in the world. And there are ways to light that fire of inspiration that will get you going. Remember, the journey of writing a book or short story is filled with ups and downs. Embrace the process, stay connected with other writers, and use these techniques to keep your creativity flowing.
By implementing these techniques, you’ll not only reignite your inspiration but also foster a deeper connection with the writing community. Happy writing!
