I can’t count how many times people have asked me where my ideas come from, what inspires me. To be frank, I am not certain where the ideas themselves come from, probably from a cave in the back of my mind. As to where I find inspiration, the answer is simple: I find it everywhere. Even though I am barely cracking into the world of writers, I can say that there are certain things that help me stay creative and inspired. So here is my personal list of things to do when the writing gets tough. I have found that this list is useful not only for writing and inspiration, but for any other sort of task or assignment, and it is my hope that anyone who reads this finds these suggestions helpful.

1. Listen to music. Music to me has become a huge part of daily life in recent years, and thanks to streaming sites and apps, such as 8tracks and Spotify, there are endless possibilities for inspirational music. If I want a certain mood in my writing I search for a specific type of music. Sometimes scenes pop into my head while listening to songs and I use the lyrics as dialogue or a mood setter, (Mumford and Sons have been most helpful). When I'm writing for homework or for kicks and giggles I have music on, usually instrumental. I don’t like writing when it’s quiet.
2. Read. I have seen so many lists and quotes from authors and writing tutors that essentially say “when you’re not writing, you should be reading.” And it’s true. There are so many ideas to be had while reading something someone else wrote. A year or two back i couldn't read a particular book because every time I opened it and began to read I had to stop to write down an idea that popped into my head, triggered by something I was reading. It was overwhelming actually, the beauty of the words and the images they conjured in my head. Generally I try to be in the midst of reading a book at all times. I might not necessarily be reading, but when I do not have a ‘current read’, and if I haven’t read started a book after finishing one within a few days it seems that I have done nothing productive with my life. Another great thing about reading is analyzing the writing: seeing what works, what I like, what doesn’t work, how I would fix it, rewriting sentences in my own voice. And keep a dictionary near by so you can look up new words and expand your own vocabulary. Words are only words until they are strung together.
3. Keep a notebook. Write everything and anything down that comes to you. I think I have filled up ten notebooks with ideas and am almost done with an eleventh, (it might be twelve…) Whether it’s a word or a name or an entire essay or scene, write. it. down., no matter where you are or what time it is. You might think you can hold onto an idea over night, but I can tell you from experience that there is an eighty percent chance you won’t remember. I’ve been kept awake for hours by ideas and the fear of losing them, and I do not regret those lost minutes of sleep.
4. Nature. Go outside, listen to the leaves in the wind, the way the grass sounds underfoot, thunderstorms. There is so much emotion and energy to be found in nature. Sometimes I just sit in the grass and close my eyes and let the sounds wash over me. Within a few seconds of sitting a scene will have popped into my head and I let it play out, changing things as it goes, making notes while enjoying being surrounded by nature.
5. Talk it out. Talking is an excellent way for getting ideas going. Asking open ended questions, such as “what if…”, “how did…” to another person really gets the creative juices going. Running ideas by someone else is another great way to solidify and clean up ideas. A second opinion is so helpful if only because they can tell you if what you are trying to say makes sense. If only it were possible to have a telepathic connexion so the other person could see what I’m trying to describe.
6. Take breaks. A small thing, but sitting in front of a computer screen or staring at a blank piece of paper for too long drains the inspiration in no time. Not only that, but a blank page is one of the most intimidating things ever. Get up, move around, stretch, go outside. something to get the twitches out. And eating. Eating is good. A snack during those breaks works wonders. My favorite brain foods are almonds, oranges, goldfish crackers, tea and/or coffee. But breaks don't have to be when you are writing. When I'm at a stand still with a certain project I focus on a different one for a time, and when I go back to the first I find that there is less sludge in the way.
7. Do other creative things. I draw, doodle, research new projects, and make jewelry. Little things that to get my mind going in a different way.
8. Change location. A sibling to “take breaks”, location can have a big part to play in how much I am able to write, and how easily. When I am comfortable, say in a chair with a blanket, I can write better than if I were at a desk. Go to a coffee shop, the library, a bookstore, outside, anywhere that isn’t your normal location. A change of scenery is nice, and there is more, new, material to be seen.
9. Just write. The counter strike to number six, this is one way to get the desperation to write out of my system. I sit down and barf all over the page, trying to get all the bad, gross, and unwieldy words to go away. It doesn’t work all the time, and these pages are incoherent rambling, but every so often something decent comes of these writing frenzies.
10. Research. I know, I know… It’s dangerous business entering the abyss of cyberspace, but a search on a relevant topic is very helpful. Pinterest has an endless selection of pins for anything imaginable, and making a basic google search helps to solidify or confirm the legitimacy of an idea. The more research is done, the more realistic will be the writing.
11. Make lists. Write down what you want to say, either in brief sentences or bullet points. This is very helpful when writing anything as I get main points I want to make without having to worry about being eloquent. If a project is divided into points or sections it’s easier to jump around and work on what my brain wants to think about at the time. To write in linear fashion is difficult, one point to the next, and having a list of what I want to say helps me to organize my thoughts.
12. Be present. This may sound odd, but it’s true. Being mentally present, attentive to my surroundings, noticing little details; all methods of gleaning ideas from the real world. That’s what writing is, isn’t it? A writer’s attempt to replicate the real world in such a way as to make it seem like what the reader is reading is real. Since I arrived in Italy I have found many things to tickle my muse. The sound of language, the echo and image of my scuffed boots in a cathedral, the sight of Ponte Vecchio at night with the lights shining on the Arno, rain wet cobbles. I strive to take note of my surroundings and some very good ideas have come from simply paying attention.

Thanks for reading!

KU