9 answers
Aurora
Student
Saint Michael, Minnesota
7
Questions
Asked
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Where do you get the best writing inspiration?
I have been in kind of a writers block and I feel like all my short stories kinda repeat and I feel like they get boring. I want to be a writer and make short stories.
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9 answers
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
472
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hi
Carry a writing journal or a recorder with you at all times. If you always have your journal and recorder, you'll be prepared for any time-to-time inspiration strikes. Jot down a note whenever an idea comes to you, or record interesting dialogue you overhear. Then, go back through your notes or listen to your recordings when you have some free time, and see if you can turn them into a story. If you meet someone interesting, ask them if you can sit down with them for an interview, then ask them about some of their most memorable experiences. This is a great technique if you need inspiration for a blog. Write down or record all of your ideas while you’re going about your day, then develop them into posts. That way, you’ll always have a stream of new content. If you prefer creative writing, let your imagination roam when you’re out in public. If you hear a little fragment of a conversation, try to imagine the back story.
Change your scenery or environment to freshen things up. Switching up your environment can boost your imagination and loosen up ideas. This might be anything from sitting at a different table while you’re writing to going on a trip somewhere you’ve never been before. Sometimes, this is all it takes to give you a fresh perspective and offer new ideas.
Write about what you observe. If you’re having trouble thinking of something to write about, try looking around at your environment. No matter where you are, you can pick an item, a person, or a situation that you can observe, then write about it. Include details on who, what, why, how, and when, and try to include as much detail as possible.
Visit a busy place and people-watch for ideas. Other people can be great writing inspiration, and they are easy to find in a busy, public setting. Travel to a public place, find interesting characters, and watch them for inspiration. Write about their appearance, actions, and words.
Listen to others’ dialogue when in public. Innocent eavesdropping can make for great writing inspiration. When you are in a public place like a mall, restaurant, or movie theater, listen for interesting lines people say. Write them down and use them in your next story.
Best,
Aisha T
Carry a writing journal or a recorder with you at all times. If you always have your journal and recorder, you'll be prepared for any time-to-time inspiration strikes. Jot down a note whenever an idea comes to you, or record interesting dialogue you overhear. Then, go back through your notes or listen to your recordings when you have some free time, and see if you can turn them into a story. If you meet someone interesting, ask them if you can sit down with them for an interview, then ask them about some of their most memorable experiences. This is a great technique if you need inspiration for a blog. Write down or record all of your ideas while you’re going about your day, then develop them into posts. That way, you’ll always have a stream of new content. If you prefer creative writing, let your imagination roam when you’re out in public. If you hear a little fragment of a conversation, try to imagine the back story.
Change your scenery or environment to freshen things up. Switching up your environment can boost your imagination and loosen up ideas. This might be anything from sitting at a different table while you’re writing to going on a trip somewhere you’ve never been before. Sometimes, this is all it takes to give you a fresh perspective and offer new ideas.
Write about what you observe. If you’re having trouble thinking of something to write about, try looking around at your environment. No matter where you are, you can pick an item, a person, or a situation that you can observe, then write about it. Include details on who, what, why, how, and when, and try to include as much detail as possible.
Visit a busy place and people-watch for ideas. Other people can be great writing inspiration, and they are easy to find in a busy, public setting. Travel to a public place, find interesting characters, and watch them for inspiration. Write about their appearance, actions, and words.
Listen to others’ dialogue when in public. Innocent eavesdropping can make for great writing inspiration. When you are in a public place like a mall, restaurant, or movie theater, listen for interesting lines people say. Write them down and use them in your next story.
Best,
Aisha T
david kirk
Retired Computing Manager
480
Answers
Syracuse, New York
Updated
david’s Answer
Hello Aurora,
Tough question. And what works for me may not work for you. It's been a few years since my last book was published, but I do keep a blog active and I do some other writing. My approach is to have a pencil and pad at all times, making brief notes of anything I see. For example, a brief moment while in a grocery store aisle opened the window for an extensive article I wrote on my having observed a woman shopping and how her few comments affected me and my view of her. Normally, a meaningless event, but when you take a moment to scribble a few thoughts, you find later that the first sentence grows to a paragraph, and then to a page. You fight writer's block by continually writing. When the day is done, and you look at your scribbles, you will see at least one story. Consider it to the photographer who shoots 1000 photos at an event, only to use one picture. This approach doesn't work all the time, but this approach keeps your creative mind always alert. Anyway, I hope you find something here of use.
Tough question. And what works for me may not work for you. It's been a few years since my last book was published, but I do keep a blog active and I do some other writing. My approach is to have a pencil and pad at all times, making brief notes of anything I see. For example, a brief moment while in a grocery store aisle opened the window for an extensive article I wrote on my having observed a woman shopping and how her few comments affected me and my view of her. Normally, a meaningless event, but when you take a moment to scribble a few thoughts, you find later that the first sentence grows to a paragraph, and then to a page. You fight writer's block by continually writing. When the day is done, and you look at your scribbles, you will see at least one story. Consider it to the photographer who shoots 1000 photos at an event, only to use one picture. This approach doesn't work all the time, but this approach keeps your creative mind always alert. Anyway, I hope you find something here of use.
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I get my inspiration from the world around me, basically nature and my interactions with other people.
I tend to be somewhat abstract, describing the animals I see, the activities going on around me and the effects of weather on the environment. So, for me my topics come my experiences and external environment.
Sometimes, I carry a small notebook on me and make a written note on an observation on something I am observing. Many times this helps.
I tend to be somewhat abstract, describing the animals I see, the activities going on around me and the effects of weather on the environment. So, for me my topics come my experiences and external environment.
Sometimes, I carry a small notebook on me and make a written note on an observation on something I am observing. Many times this helps.
Elizabeth Caruso
eCommerce Manager
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
I second the great advice Aisha & David already left here!
Wanted to drop in a couple more ideas:
1) Challenges / online communities. When I'm in my biggest writing ruts, it's been very helpful for me to find challenges to participate in (for example, NaNoWriMo) or online communities/publications to write for. Oftentimes with online publication submissions, they will give prompts or themes to encourage story submissions that align with their monthly / quarterly themes. Having a prompt, seeing what other writers have done so far, and then being challenged to put my own spin on it can be really fun and inspiring.
2) On a similar note, writing contests! Most writing contests will have some kind of theme or prompt to follow, which can be a helpful way to break out of a rut. Similarly to challenges or online publications/communities, you'll also have submission guidelines to work within, which can be another helpful way to get unstuck. Sometimes having guardrails can be more conducive to creativity than being able to go wild and do ANYTHING you want, which can be overwhelming and it can be harder to narrow down ideas.
Wanted to drop in a couple more ideas:
1) Challenges / online communities. When I'm in my biggest writing ruts, it's been very helpful for me to find challenges to participate in (for example, NaNoWriMo) or online communities/publications to write for. Oftentimes with online publication submissions, they will give prompts or themes to encourage story submissions that align with their monthly / quarterly themes. Having a prompt, seeing what other writers have done so far, and then being challenged to put my own spin on it can be really fun and inspiring.
2) On a similar note, writing contests! Most writing contests will have some kind of theme or prompt to follow, which can be a helpful way to break out of a rut. Similarly to challenges or online publications/communities, you'll also have submission guidelines to work within, which can be another helpful way to get unstuck. Sometimes having guardrails can be more conducive to creativity than being able to go wild and do ANYTHING you want, which can be overwhelming and it can be harder to narrow down ideas.
Bruce Allen
Career Coach and Personal Branding, Resume and Bio Writing Thought Leader
7
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Bruce’s Answer
Hi Aurora,
Wonderful question! As a writer, musician, and photographer, I can offer up one key thought above and beyond the wonderful advice you've received thus far regarding inspiration. At least for me, newness is key. What do I mean by newness? Everything! New people to observe, interact and connect with. New cultures to learn from. New food. New challenges. New updates from friends and family.
And what is it about your day-to-day life that could be shaken up a little or have something thrown in fresh? Traveling -- whether a local day trip or a significant flight to another part of the world, could very likely stir up your creative thought. Ultimately, circulating with change, new perspectives, and new experiences all will inherently elicit the inspiration you seek. I hope you find this helpful to the cause.
Very best,
Bruce
Wonderful question! As a writer, musician, and photographer, I can offer up one key thought above and beyond the wonderful advice you've received thus far regarding inspiration. At least for me, newness is key. What do I mean by newness? Everything! New people to observe, interact and connect with. New cultures to learn from. New food. New challenges. New updates from friends and family.
And what is it about your day-to-day life that could be shaken up a little or have something thrown in fresh? Traveling -- whether a local day trip or a significant flight to another part of the world, could very likely stir up your creative thought. Ultimately, circulating with change, new perspectives, and new experiences all will inherently elicit the inspiration you seek. I hope you find this helpful to the cause.
Very best,
Bruce
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
751
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I get my inspiration from the world around me, basically nature and my interactions with other people.
I tend to be somewhat abstract, describing the animals I see, the activities going on around me and the effects of weather on the environment. So, for me my topics come my experiences and external environment.
I tend to be somewhat abstract, describing the animals I see, the activities going on around me and the effects of weather on the environment. So, for me my topics come my experiences and external environment.
Tom Foster
Freelance Writer with a lot of life experience
56
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Everyone here is giving you good advice, since not everything works for everyone. But being an entertainment writer I can tell you that there's no shortage of inspiration out there for you to pick from. Whether it's real or fictional, a story is best built from a foundation that means something to the writer. What I mean is, focus on what you like, what you believe in, and what you're interested in, and then build from it. If you find yourself repeating ideas in all your stories, which can happen, then take a step back and come up with at least five to ten new ideas that have nothing to do with each other, and see how you can develop them.
There are too many ways to be inspired and come up with ideas to suffer writer's block for more than a short time. Short stories are great since they're like small blurbs that can become bigger stories if you feel the need. But I'll end with something I tell everyone, no matter how much experience they have.
Just write.
There are too many ways to be inspired and come up with ideas to suffer writer's block for more than a short time. Short stories are great since they're like small blurbs that can become bigger stories if you feel the need. But I'll end with something I tell everyone, no matter how much experience they have.
Just write.
Kevin Nally
Graduate School Student Services Coordinator/Advisor
8
Answers
Pullman, Washington
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Writer's block is quite common, and approaching it can depend a lot on someone's writing style. Some make daily journaling an emphasis in order to get the creative juices flowing. An additional options could be; reading literature, watching movies that challenge the mind, and going for a walk while listening to music or podcasts. During any of these approaches, I'd highly recommend starting a "story ideas" document on your phone/computer. Lastly, try storyboarding/outlining your ideas, you might develop a larger idea, and create a collection of stories. All the best to you.
Ryan Keawekane
Marketing Assistant Manager
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
There are two sides of writer's block, in my experience: the blank page and the muse.
The blank page:
This tends to intimidate people. You think that the first words have to be the right words. The truth, which you likely already know, the first words you write rarely make it into the final cut. That's why the first part in my writing process is what I call "barfing on the page." Just write, as ugly and nonsensical as it may seem, give yourself the permission to write imperfectly - to disgust, to maim, to flail, to confuse and to kid. Write without judging yourself. The blank page is not the moment for judgment; it's the moment for anything - ugly or beautiful, logical or aimless - to be born.
Write anything: a recipe, a limerick, a to-do list, the names of your favorite or most despised actors/singers/authors, an essay comparing the merits of toilet paper and a bidet. This is where watching the world/nature, taking notes/recordings, making lists, conducting interviews, etc. comes in handy: literally write it down, report what happened as it happened: no additions, no creativity. Something I have done before is to begin writing whatever I'm thinking, literally the words the voice in my head is saying, then I get out of the way for the muse.
The muse:
This is the voice narrating the stories to you, so you can write them down. You are the conduit, the muse (as I call it/her) is the real writer. Some people think that lack of inspiration and writer's block are the same thing. From experience, I can tell you that often I sit down to write and what I write (without judgment or aim) doesn't have any staying power. It starts out fun then fizzles out. There's no oomph. The way I think about it is that the muse - my inspiration, the reason I write, the voice in me that won't shut up and that I don't want to - is out to lunch. I'm ready to fill up the blank page, but the muse is enjoying high tea.
This is where discipline comes in: people want writing to just happen. But writing doesn't just happen any more than sleep just happens. You want to get good sleep? Create the environment and routine where sleep naturally emerges. Similarly, you want to defeat the blank page with a memo from the muse? Create the environment and routine where creative writing flows naturally. It will be messy (see previous para) but if the muse is there - guiding you, inspiring you - chances are, it will stick around until you reach the end.
How to create the environment and routine?
- Choose a writing place and every time you sit in it, write something - anything. You cannot leave that place until you have written something. (Make sure it's a comfortable place.)
- Write.
- Edit your writing.
- Read.
- Retell what you read in a different voice or for a different audience.
- Join writing groups and always - ALWAYS - bring something to share. (Nothing annoys me more than writing groups where no one writes.)
The thing about short stories is...
They are HARD. People think writing short is easy because it's fewer words. But each story has its own development, narrative arc, characters, pizzazz, twist. The more stories you write, the more you need of all of this and more. Worse, you don't get to enjoy the cool factor of your short story long before all the problems and gaps because glaringly obvious: why do the protagonists fall in love/duke it out in the saloon? Would they even have any reason to be in the same place? Why is the pacing so slow or the environment flat? When you write short stories, I believe, your shortcomings as a writer become more salient quicker. Disappointment is an easier outcome for the reader and the writer both.
Then, if you love your short story, it's over before you really get to build a relationship with it. I fall in love with my stories and serial short story writing sometimes feels like a series of short-lived if lovely relationships with individuals who left an impact on my life but didn't linger long. And readers will feel the same: they fall in love with your voice, your characters, your world - and then it's over. It may be less overall effort than a long-form piece, but it can cut you as deep.
I find writers fall into either the short-story camp or the long-story camp. I'm in the latter (obviously), but I use short stories to sharpen my instrument just like the greats did/do. Also short stories are the bricks that authors/writers use to build the road to publication/paid gigs, so writers from both camps necessarily dabble in them. It is a noble, valuable and not insignificant effort to get good at writing short stories. Good luck!
A PSA on boredom:
If you're bored writing it, chances are your reader will be bored reading it. But I believe boredom is a state of mind. The antidote is curiosity. Get curious, DEEPLY curious, about something that is casually interesting. Geek out over it in writing (in the "barf on the page" phase) and your curiosity will be infectious. If you're bored with your writing, chances are you lack depth in an area worth writing about. Writing is telling stories, so you have to understand the stories waiting to be told. Understanding is at the other side of curiosity. Happy curiosing!
Barf on the page.
Get to know your muse.
Get curious!
The blank page:
This tends to intimidate people. You think that the first words have to be the right words. The truth, which you likely already know, the first words you write rarely make it into the final cut. That's why the first part in my writing process is what I call "barfing on the page." Just write, as ugly and nonsensical as it may seem, give yourself the permission to write imperfectly - to disgust, to maim, to flail, to confuse and to kid. Write without judging yourself. The blank page is not the moment for judgment; it's the moment for anything - ugly or beautiful, logical or aimless - to be born.
Write anything: a recipe, a limerick, a to-do list, the names of your favorite or most despised actors/singers/authors, an essay comparing the merits of toilet paper and a bidet. This is where watching the world/nature, taking notes/recordings, making lists, conducting interviews, etc. comes in handy: literally write it down, report what happened as it happened: no additions, no creativity. Something I have done before is to begin writing whatever I'm thinking, literally the words the voice in my head is saying, then I get out of the way for the muse.
The muse:
This is the voice narrating the stories to you, so you can write them down. You are the conduit, the muse (as I call it/her) is the real writer. Some people think that lack of inspiration and writer's block are the same thing. From experience, I can tell you that often I sit down to write and what I write (without judgment or aim) doesn't have any staying power. It starts out fun then fizzles out. There's no oomph. The way I think about it is that the muse - my inspiration, the reason I write, the voice in me that won't shut up and that I don't want to - is out to lunch. I'm ready to fill up the blank page, but the muse is enjoying high tea.
This is where discipline comes in: people want writing to just happen. But writing doesn't just happen any more than sleep just happens. You want to get good sleep? Create the environment and routine where sleep naturally emerges. Similarly, you want to defeat the blank page with a memo from the muse? Create the environment and routine where creative writing flows naturally. It will be messy (see previous para) but if the muse is there - guiding you, inspiring you - chances are, it will stick around until you reach the end.
How to create the environment and routine?
- Choose a writing place and every time you sit in it, write something - anything. You cannot leave that place until you have written something. (Make sure it's a comfortable place.)
- Write.
- Edit your writing.
- Read.
- Retell what you read in a different voice or for a different audience.
- Join writing groups and always - ALWAYS - bring something to share. (Nothing annoys me more than writing groups where no one writes.)
The thing about short stories is...
They are HARD. People think writing short is easy because it's fewer words. But each story has its own development, narrative arc, characters, pizzazz, twist. The more stories you write, the more you need of all of this and more. Worse, you don't get to enjoy the cool factor of your short story long before all the problems and gaps because glaringly obvious: why do the protagonists fall in love/duke it out in the saloon? Would they even have any reason to be in the same place? Why is the pacing so slow or the environment flat? When you write short stories, I believe, your shortcomings as a writer become more salient quicker. Disappointment is an easier outcome for the reader and the writer both.
Then, if you love your short story, it's over before you really get to build a relationship with it. I fall in love with my stories and serial short story writing sometimes feels like a series of short-lived if lovely relationships with individuals who left an impact on my life but didn't linger long. And readers will feel the same: they fall in love with your voice, your characters, your world - and then it's over. It may be less overall effort than a long-form piece, but it can cut you as deep.
I find writers fall into either the short-story camp or the long-story camp. I'm in the latter (obviously), but I use short stories to sharpen my instrument just like the greats did/do. Also short stories are the bricks that authors/writers use to build the road to publication/paid gigs, so writers from both camps necessarily dabble in them. It is a noble, valuable and not insignificant effort to get good at writing short stories. Good luck!
A PSA on boredom:
If you're bored writing it, chances are your reader will be bored reading it. But I believe boredom is a state of mind. The antidote is curiosity. Get curious, DEEPLY curious, about something that is casually interesting. Geek out over it in writing (in the "barf on the page" phase) and your curiosity will be infectious. If you're bored with your writing, chances are you lack depth in an area worth writing about. Writing is telling stories, so you have to understand the stories waiting to be told. Understanding is at the other side of curiosity. Happy curiosing!
Ryan recommends the following next steps: