As someone who basically writes for a living, I choose to surround myself with fellow writers in an effort to...I don't know, keep my creative juices flowing? Something like that. But, as a result of this, I'm often met with a common dilemma that even I sometimes run into:
"I don't know what to write about."
It's not a bad thing to suddenly hit a wall like this. Writer's block is a thing, you know. And it's a legitimate dilemma! When popular media fails to give you ideas, when music falls just short of giving you that spark, and when the things around you seem to be holding little to no source of inspiration, where do you turn?
Well, there's many routes you can take. Here are a few things to think about to help resolve your writer's block:
1. What are you thinking about right now?
Why are you thinking about that? Has it been on your mind a lot lately, or is it just spur of the moment? Thoughts can be over a myriad of things, and thus it can be difficult to narrow it down to just one solid thought. But that's what brainstorming is for! Jot down the things plaguing your mind. When you've finished, read over them...think about why those things are on your mind and go from there.
2. Where are you right now?
Do you feel comfortable where you are? Uncomfortable? How does the atmosphere around you make you feel? How do the people around you make you feel? Analyze your surroundings and people-watch. Maybe even eavesdrop a little (but not too much!) to get an idea of what everyone around you is like.
3. How do you feel right now?
What caused you to feel this way? How long have you felt this way? As personal as your emotions may be, believe it or not, there are likely many people who have felt a similar way at some point. Say how you feel, why you feel and what you feel because for all you know, someone else out there is feeling the exact same way.
Now, I also want you to notice something. There is something that these three questions have in common.
They're all about you.
It's OK to focus on yourself sometimes. It's OK to write about yourself because by doing so, people get to know who you are as a person. And, as people share, comment and like what you write, it helps you get to know others as well. Writing is a tool for some people to say the words they cannot articulate out loud. So rather than muting yourself and keeping those words kept hidden, share them. Say how you feel, and others will have the courage to do the same.
So...what will you write about today?
