Inspiration, or the Lack Thereof
I'm posting late today, for a variety of reasons, everything from a hair appointment to a spontaneous meeting at school.
The number one reason I'm blogging late?
I couldn't think of anything to write about.
I hear that from my students quite often -- "I can't think of anything!" "I don't know where to start!"
Sound familiar?
Inspiration can strike in the oddest of places -- a newspaper article, a photo, a snatch of conversation. But sometimes, it's nowhere to be found.
Here are my top strategies for breaking the lack of inspiration:
1) Reading
2) Taking a walk
3) Mowing the grass (I have no idea why, but it works for me)
4) Making lists -- just random words, etc.
5) Freewriting
What do you do when you're feeling less than inspired to write?
The number one reason I'm blogging late?
I couldn't think of anything to write about.
I hear that from my students quite often -- "I can't think of anything!" "I don't know where to start!"
Sound familiar?
Inspiration can strike in the oddest of places -- a newspaper article, a photo, a snatch of conversation. But sometimes, it's nowhere to be found.
Here are my top strategies for breaking the lack of inspiration:
1) Reading
2) Taking a walk
3) Mowing the grass (I have no idea why, but it works for me)
4) Making lists -- just random words, etc.
5) Freewriting
What do you do when you're feeling less than inspired to write?
posted by Linda Winfree at 4:30 PM
4Comments:
I OFTEN have this problem when considering blog topics. Maybe because I'm trying to anticipate what others will want to read...which is an impossbile feat, maybe because I think my topic is boring or tired, maybe because I'm on the spot...OMG, a DEADLINE! Lord help me if...er, when, I sell!
Sometimes no matter what you do, inspiration or motivation or drive or whatever it is that's lacking continues to lack.
I think taking a break from writing is a good way to rekindle that flame.
Aside from the ones you've already mentioned, I like to: see a movie, go shopping (usually grocery shopping b/c I don't have the $$ to shop for anything else), organizing/uncluttering/cleaning the house, research, reading.
I'm looking forward to hearing other's techniques.
Oddly enough, they're discussing the same topic over at www.plotmonkeys.com (another group blog).
Plain old writer's block hasn't been a problem for me - but there've been times when life's rich pagentry distracts me - so far it has always passed.
I felt like such a slug, Joan, for this post! But I honestly couldn't think of ANYTHING -- which is kinda rare for wordy ol' me. :-) I like the cleaning house thing, too. It's fairly mindless and lets my mind roam.
Evanne -- I love the "life's rich tapestry" idea. Sounds so much better than my full TTD list!
Taking a walk usually does it for me...if not I try reverse psychology, or at least my personal form of RP -- I read a book I hate.
I have a couple books I hate but that I refuse to get rid of. Why? Because when I'm uninspired/don't wanna write I pick it up. The characterization is bad, the plot is bad -- and it gives me that "I can do better than this" attitude and inspires me to get back to work. The words I write may not be great at that point but the process at least gets a few words on the page. :)
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