Everybody deals with writer's block at one point or another. Whether it be work or school related, or recreational. It sucks. There's no way around it. Eventually it comes to you, but you're not always lucky enough to wait until it does. I mean sometimes you've got a deadline coming up and you don't want to put whatever it is off on the hope it'll just come to you. Being a writer myself I go through these struggles constantly, so I've compiled a short list of things that usually help me when I'm in a pinch!
1. Watch A Movie
When it comes to being strapped for ideas, a great way to be inspired is to watch a movie. You never know what idea formulate in your head! Movies are an incredible forum to tell a story, and they are very diverse. You could be watching "Twilight" and be inspired for your own sci-fi love story, or watch "Marley & Me" and come up with your own tear jerker, who knows?
2. Read A Book
Much like with a movie, if you're stuck for what to write, I often times find that books are a good source of inspiration. They give new ideas for not only characters and plots but for writing styles and techniques you'd otherwise never have thought of!
3. Try Something New
When looking for a new and original storyline/etc, it definitely helps to get new experiences of your own. You could take feelings that you experienced, or people that you met along the way and incorporate them into your writing. Whether fictional or non-ficitional, trying something new won't hurt, and could inspire new and abstract ideas.
4. Look Up Prompts
When you look up prompts, they help you get started. Maybe you never thought you'd want to write a certain way or about a certain topic. Maybe you never thought you could, but with using these prompts, they get gears moving you didn't even think you had. What started out as a short story about a stray dog could turn into a 20,000 word novel about a dog who cures cancer.
5. Create Characters First
Sometimes when you''re stuck, it helps to create a group of characters that you'd ideally put into the story. If you have the characters put together, the story often will flow together, or at least some form of plot. You know what the characters are like so it's not too hard to take the next step in what's going on in their life.
6. Nap
Naps help with everything. Seriously. If you can't think of what to write it might be best to take a break and sleep it off. I mean because one, you could have a wild dream to stir up some ideas, but you'll also wake up refreshed. If you couldn't think of anything at first, after a nap you could be inspired easier, or have new ideas come quicker.
7. Consult Friend
When you have an issue in your life, who do you turn to? Friends. This shouldn't be any different. Friends can provide you with a fresh perspective. They can give helpful ideas on what to write and how to fix what you can't. I personally have a friend who helps with the little details in my work, she helps fill in plot holes and gives great ideas for characters. Having help from a friend can not only help your writing but can help you know where to begin.
8. Doodle
Just doodling or sketching out a picture can be enough inspiration to start writing. Drawing a person looking over the shore of the sea can lead to a story about pirates. A doodle of a couple dancing could inspire a story that'll knock Nicolas Sparks out of the water entirely. You never know. Either way you get a cool picture out of it.
9. Go Out
Go out with your friends! Be social! This falls hand in hand with trying something new. Funny drunk stories that your friends share to the crazy, old guy on the bus who rambles to you and your buddies about pigeons can be just what your imagination needs to spit out a New York Times' Best-Seller, and a funny story to tell at parties for years to come.
10. Don't Think About It
Don't think about it. Seriously. Don't. Sometimes when you put all of your energy into trying to figure out what to write, you end up even more stuck, if that's even possible. Much like you are now, which is why you're reading this article. In all honesty, people get inspired by day to day things. Maybe your morning trip to get coffee or picking up your dry cleaning will do the trick without you even realizing it.
