10 Ways to Jumpstart Your Writing Today!
Writer’s block is the one thing that every writer fears
(that and not getting published). It can strike at any time; whether you’re right in the middle of a story/novel/essay, or just beginning.
What if you want to write a short story (for example), but the ideas just aren’t flowing?
If you keep an idea journal, then it shouldn’t be too hard to look back at previous entries for some inspiration. If you don’t have an idea journal (something every writer should have), then you must look for outside inspiration.
However, before I start listing off places you can find that inspiration, you should know that inspiration can be found everywhere. Something as simple as a person’s commute to work can be a story. Or even a complex tale of two lovers traveling across the country. The key is conscious observation. Whenever you see something interesting, you should ask yourself "How can I make this into a story?’
To help you get started I have compiled a list of places that you can find story ideas without too much trouble. This list isn’t definitive, so keep your eyes and ears open.
1) The daily newspaper: This is literally filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of story ideas and for most people it’s delivered right to their doorstep! From local news to stories of international interest, if you don’t get at least one good idea from the newspaper, then you’re not looking hard enough.
2) People around you: People are everywhere! And where there are people, there are story ideas. Usually, I get story ideas from the things
people say and conversations I overhear. However, the way someone looks can also inspire a story.
3) Music lyrics: Sometimes a simple phrase jumps out at me and I write it down. A few of those short phrases have turned into a story or poem. Just be careful not to plagiarize.
4) Classic literature: This might not give you a specific idea, but it will get you rolling on the right track. The key here is not so much the specific story itself, rather the structure the story follows. For
example, vampire stories are pretty well known. But the underlying structure of a vampire story is an older man trying to steal the innocence from a virginal young woman.
5) Walking down the street: A few of my best ideas have come to me as I’m just walking. Doesn’t have to be down a street, it can be anywhere! Anything from interesting signs, interesting looking buildings, structures, etc. can spark a story idea.
6) One day: Pick a day at random and write about something that happened that day. It can be something small and seemingly insignifigant,
or it can be a large event like a wedding, funeral, or court appearance. I’ve noticed, however, that some of the best short fiction I read usually deals with the "randomness" of life (think "slice of life" story).
7) Travel: Taking a plane? Train? Automobile? Going on trips is perhaps one of the most inspiring activities we can do because things are
new and our senses are already on "high alert" for new things and experiences. I’ve come up with many story ideas while sitting on a plane at 30,000 feet in
the air.
8 ) Reading other fiction: If you want to be a writer then you must read! It’s that simple. Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum and usually ideas spark other ideas. Novels and short story collections can often inspire other ideas. Again, be careful to avoid plagiarism.
9) Talking to other writers: Like I said in number 8, writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Chat with other writers, join a writing group, start a writing forum on the internet (or join one of the many thousands that already exist). You’d be surprised how bouncing ideas around with another writer can produce some great results.
10) Your old stories: Pull out that file of short fiction, blow the dust off, and look through what you have already written. Find a story that you can re-write. Or, just pick a random story and write a new version of it. You’d be surprised at the results several versions of the same story can produce.
The key here is to use your imagination and realize that story ideas don’t materialize out of thin air, as is the romantic idea often associated with genius writers – and genius most of us are not.
For tomorrow’s post, I’m going to talk about what to do when you’re in the middle of writing a story, and you get hit by writer’s block.
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