Week after week, I create content and have it published here. Week after week, I am faced with the challenge of what to write about. Sure, there are plenty of fresh ideas, breaking news and life experiences, but sometimes it's a matter of figuring out how to tell those stories that is just as challenging.
Some days you have a million ideas to talk about, but when it comes time to sit down and actually put those words on paper everything goes blank. We want to engage our reader, draw them in and make them not only want to listen, but want to keep listening, over and over again.
But, it’s not as easy as our favorite writers make it seem. To be able to mold words into artistry is a skill that takes practice, diligence and creative inspiration. They find ways to express emotions and scenarios with enough vibrancy to keep us interested. And, nonetheless, they encounter the infamous writer’s block—trust me, it exists.
So, if you’re struggling to find the right words, or you’re just curious about how storytellers push through to give us pieces that move us, here are four my tips:
1.) Try New Things
If you feel yourself getting stuck in the same old routine over and over again, that could be holding you back from endless opportunities. If you’re not sure you like something, there’s no harm in giving it a shot. It could be deep-sea fishing, hiking, or visiting an art museum—test the waters, feel it out. Whatever the outcome, there’s a very, very good chance you’ll have something to write about by the end of it.
2.) Take A Break
It may sound crazy, but sometimes taking a break from your craft can be beneficial. I’m not saying give it up for years, but a couple of days can absolutely do wonders. It helps alleviate the constant pressure of having something worthy of saying. What’s more is that you’re able to open your eyes up to an abundance of things you might have been missing out on. Think of it as a mini vacation from your thoughts. When you return, you’ll be refreshed enough to tap back into your creativity and run with it.
3.) Invest Some Time In Reading
This is how they say great writers are built—their dedication to reading. I agree. Reading is by far my greatest source of inspiration and ideas (see acknowledgement below). Without some of my favorite authors, musicians and poets, it’d be extremely difficult to write half of what I’ve written. I’m always searching for new music, articles, photographs, blogs, etc…When I find a quote I can’t get over or a great author, I’m either hanging that quote on the wall or hunting down other works by that same author. It’s what keeps me driven and inspires me daily.
4.) Don’t Give Up
Sure, there will be moments where it seems like there is no light at the end of the writing tunnel. And I’m here to tell you it’s not true. We all go through it, whether we are athletes, artists, scientists, chefs or actors. It’s the part of our crafts that we don’t necessarily enjoy, but one we have to move past, all the same. As Junot Diaz put it,
“You see in my view a writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent because everything she does is golden. In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyways.”
Keep your mind wide open and eventually something will come your way. Like this article for instance—it always does.
**Special thanks to Ashley Abramson from Darling Magazine for inspiring this article with her “4 Techniques For Writing Stronger Prose."
