We've all been there as writers, in the early stages the ideas and inspiration for your novel come in abundance. Then, as you begin creeping into the latter stages, you feel as though you've aged five years and can no longer find the right words to finish your masterpiece off.
If it's ever happened to you, because I know it's happened to me, then you'll know the frustration. Allow me to make that frustration a thing of the past with my top 5 ways to get your ideas flowing once more.
#5 Act out your scene in the mirror:
Preferably in a mirror you own, but if you're eccentric enough to act it out in a shoe shop mirror then all power to you.
I find that my best dialogue comes in the bathroom. I might be brushing my teeth or getting out of the shower, then boom! I'm possessed by a character or characters.
I've witnessed chilling speeches from magical dictators, and watched sword fights play out from both sides all from the comfort of my girlfriend's bathroom, and so could you! Just stay out of my girlfriend's bathroom...
#4 Have a bath and allow your mind to wonder:
Back to the bathroom. I often find that my ideas come when I'm most content. I used to keep a notepad by the bath in case an idea came, which it often did. Allow your mind to wander to the strangest realms of thought. As a fantasy writer, the 'crazy' is key. For a crime writer, your mind may envision the most over the top scenario. That's fine. You can shape it into reality in time. All that matters is your mind is working again.
#3 Listen to Music:
Every good movie has a great soundtrack. "Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," "Inception," and "Batman" all have epic music which conjures up great imagery in the mind. When I have to write a chapter, be it a battle scene or a death scene, I always have the appropriate music to evoke the right emotion.
This isn't for everyone. Some people like to write in silence, and that is perfectly understandable, though mixing it up a bit might be a great way to get ideas flowing again.
#2 Research:
If inspiration isn't coming to you, then you have to go to it. I'm forever reading, and I believe that is why my mind never shuts up. If you are writing a fantasy book, then read history books. If you're doing crime, then look up famous killers. Into romance? Then watch some of those awful MTV reality shows about love and study human interaction. You're bound to get inspired by the world around you.
#1 Relax and enjoy yourself:
Writing is fun. That's why we do it! If it isn't fun, then why keep doing it? It can get hard in the middle of a project, I've experienced that a number of times, but there are worse things in life than struggling to complete a chapter. Take a deep breath, relax, and just write whatever comes to mind. It doesn't have to be good and it doesn't have to make sense. Just enjoy being one with your characters.
