Creative Writing

I know you’ve heard a lot of people talk about writer’s block, and I’ve probably discussed it here more than once.  The thing is that there are millions of things that can kill writer’s block, it all comes down to finding that one thing that will spark a creative ember.  Today, I’m going to post a few things that might help overcome the problem.  Now, please keep in mind that I’ve grown to believe that writer’s block is basically brain overload, meaning that you’re not really blocked, you’re creative centers have just had a temporary short circuit.  Let’s see if we can fix that.

Ok, now I can’t say that these will work on everyone who stops by, but who knows.  Maybe one little idea will help at least one person find something to get back into the writing game.  If that happens, I consider this a success.  So, here are a few of the things I do to get myself into the writing mood.

Think about someone from your past.  An old boyfriend/girlfriend, your favorite high school teacher, the one person that made your skin crawl.  Doesn’t matter who it is, just sit back and think about them for a minute.  Now, set that person into a character in a story.  Make them the hero, the villain, the reason behind the story, again this really doesn’t matter as long as you turn them into a character.

Talk to yourself in a mirror.  Ok, stop laughing, I know how ridiculous that sounds, but try it.  The trick is to NOT see yourself.  Did that make sense?  Here’s what I mean.  Look at yourself as though you’re looking at one of the characters in a story.  Use various voice tones, facial expressions, head movements.  Get a feel for what you think you’re character would be like if you were to meet them in person.  (Word of caution, don’t let your kids see you do this, they’ll think you’re nuts).

Write out a list of single words.  They don’t have to make any kind of sense, just write whatever words come to mind.  Milk, frog, plague, dinosaur—whatever.  Just write until you can’t think of anything else, then go back through the list and pick out the words that really catch your eye.  Why do those words catch your eye?  Where else can you go with those words?  Run with it.

Finally, if you just can’t seem to get the words to come out, write a letter to yourself.  Explain to yourself what’s going on in your head, in your life, whatever.  Put all your feeling on paper/computer screen and get them out of your system.  All your anxieties, all your frustrations, all your emotional traumas.  Scream on paper, tell yourself off, do whatever it takes to make the words come alive.  Believe it or not, you’ll find yourself writing like your fingers are on fire.

Every writer has good days and bad days.  If you’re finding yourself in a slump, try a few of these little tricks to get back into the swing of things.  Better yet, come up with a few of your own and get back to doing what it is that you love to do; write!

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