We don’t control what inspires us. Instead, we wait and wait until the right muse comes along. Not even an award-winning author can fake his or her way through a masterpiece without a spark of inspiration. Constantly producing praise-worthy content is difficult enough without writer’s block making things worse. Writer’s block is the deadliest disease for anyone’s writing career, and everyone handles it differently. Finding a cure that works for you can be imperative at times. Here are a few things I use that may help you too.

1. Complete isolation.

There’s nothing more frustrating than having an idea on the tips of your fingers but being interrupted before writing it down. Phones, televisions, puppies, people… these things that we love can quickly kill every ounce of creativity we find. Writers have to think on a deeper emotional level that can only be reached with zero disruptions. I often find that taking my laptop behind a closed door is the only solution.

2. Change locations.

While silence and isolation may be desired for hours at a time, there comes a point when a change in scenery is required to keep the creativity flowing. Whether you go from a public space to a private place, from outside to in, or simply from the bedroom to the living room, the new sights, sounds and smells can influence your writing process to some degree.

3. Pick up a pen and paper.

Handwritten words are scribed more carefully than those typed onto a screen. With the stroke of each letter, your mind is forced to slow down and think about what comes next. This therapeutic process creates a pathway for creativity.

4. Use a different font.

Changing fonts is simple and can influence your writing in a way that’s inexplicable. Different fonts work for different people. While I prefer to use a classic Courier, others find that the crazier the font, the better.

5. Use a different keyboard.

There’s something about the clicking of keys that gives life to a writer. Newer laptops don’t have the same look, feel or sound as older keyboards, but your local library probably has older computers for you to use.

6. Step away from your work.

Close the laptop. Put away the notebook. Take your mind off the task at hand. You may be overthinking the obvious. Take a few moments to clear your head. Find a drink, a snack, or maybe take a nice long shower. Staring at a blank page, stressing about your writer's block, is not going to help rid you of writer's block.

7. Go for a drive.

Late at night, when the rest of your world is asleep, get in the car and drive. Drive down roads that bring back memories of yesteryear; roads that make you wonder what could’ve been, and what used to be — where the memories are pure and the emotions are raw.

Don’t waste your time writing about things you don’t know. Write about the things you do know. The experiences you’ve been through; the struggles you’ve faced… the times you thought your world was caving in around you. Everyone feels the things you feel, but writers are given the gift of expression. Find a place where your emotions can thrive, and write about what you feel— the good, the bad and everything in between.

8. Read.

Whether it’s a book, a magazine or a blog, reading sparks creativity.

“Writing is the one ‘profession’ for which there is no professional training: ‘Creative’ writing courses can teach the aspirant only to look at her or his writing critically, not how to create. The only school for a writer is the library— reading, reading.” —Nadine Gordimer (recipient of the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature)

9. Try “Morning Pages.”

“Morning pages” is a daily writing exercise that can free your mind from all distracting thoughts.

“Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages* – they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind – and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page... and then do three more pages tomorrow.”

10. Close your eyes and dig deeper.

After finding a subject or muse, take time to meditate on it. Let your emotions and thoughts run wild. Step into the mind of your subject or character.

“[Writing] is an unusual way to make a living. The work itself can be intense, solitary and socially retarding. When I’m writing a novel, I write 7 days a week... There are also long periods of inactivity, just sitting around thinking, bouncing a rubber ball on the hearth, listening to music, mind-navigating intricacies of plot and characters, dreaming.” —George P. Pelecanos (author, film producer and writer for HBO’s The Wire)

11. Interact with your muse.

Heartache is a popular muse of mine. To be able to write about pain, you first have to experience it. And purposefully letting myself feel heartache is not always easy, especially after spending so much time suppressing it. Whether your inspiration comes from a person, place, thing or emotion, you first have to interact with your muse.

12. Try StumbleUpon.

StumbleUpon allows you to explore thousands of websites that you may not come across on your own. After creating an account, you pick and choose which topics interest you, and then you're ready to start stumbling. Categories such as quotes, writing and poetry are where I turn for inspiration. The StumbleUpon app is available for both Android and iPhone users, but the site can also be accessed on any device at StumbleUpon.com.