There's always a lot of advice offered for writers. And if there's one thing I always hear, it's that you shouldn't wait for inspiration. Now this is much easier said than done. It's not easy to write when you're not feeling it. And it's not fun to feel like you're forcing the words to come. Writing is supposed to be fun, right? Well ... it's a little more complicated than that.
Sure, there's nothing wrong with writing being fun. But there's more to it. If you're a writer by choice, if that's your chosen passion, your profession, then it's more than just about enjoyment. Even if you don't realize it, you're constantly learning as a writer. This can mean you're learning writing habits that work for you. You're learning better grammar and sentence structure. You're learning whether you're a plotter or a pantser (I always associate pantser with flying by the seat of your pants, which makes me laugh). You're learning what your writing style is. You must be willing to learn in order to do well as a writer, though.
I find that most writers learn the most when they read regularly. Read fiction. Read books on writing. But READ. You can learn a lot, especially by reading the greats. Although, everyone's definition of the "greats" differs. But you don't have to be like everyone else. Your writing style doesn't need to mimic anyone's. You'll write the best when you're being yourself. Don't be afraid to do that. The very act of writing is baring your soul.
But back to inspiration. Inspiration is like a breeze in your sails. It's great when it ruffles your hair and pushes you along through the story. But sometimes it disappears, leaving you in the doldrums. As writers, we have to learn to row the boat. We have to figure out how to keep moving even when we don't have the wind in our sails. Everyone does this in different ways. For some people, it might be writing little bits of your story every day, even if they're out of order. Others might use their time without inspiration to explore their characters' minds and motives. You can flesh out your plot a little more, even if you're not working chapter by chapter. You can do a little world building, if your story isn't placed in our world. Plus, there's always reading! There's a lot you can get done without having to wait for those winds to return.
There are ways to bring back your inspiration, though. They don't work 100% of the time, but they're worth a shot if you feel inclined. As much as I love reading and can bring back inspiration by reading a book in the same mood as whatever I'm working on, I'm also a fan of film as a source of inspiration. Watch a movie or a TV show in the same genre as your WIP. As a writer, I almost have to create a movie in my head before I can write. For me, visual inspiration can be very powerful. Sometimes it's a few different songs that brings your story back into focus. Really, just figure out what works for you and utilize it.
Personally, I'm between a plotter and a pantser. I have friends that are only one way or the other, but I float somewhere in between. If I'm working under a deadline, like NaNoWriMo for example, I've learned that I need to at least have a rough plot for every chapter. Otherwise, it just depends on what each story tells me it needs. I used to never plot for anything. I've come to realize that plotting helps my stories make more sense. Again, we're always learning as writers.
Like I said before, keeping up your writing when inspiration has abandoned you is easier than it sounds. Don't forget you have options though. There's a lot you can do. There's a lot you can learn. But above all, keep writing! It's not always a walk in the park, but don't give up!
That's a wrap!
