Some creative writers have a wealth of writing ideas—so many, in fact, that they seem to never run out of them. Other writers have the desire to write but have few ideas or have a hard time developing them. Sometimes writers just need a little help. Below are two ideas that might help some writers find the inspiration they need to get started on that next short story.
Write Every Day
This advice may seem like a “no brainer,” but there are lots of “wannabe” writers who don’t take this suggestion. If a person wants to be a writer, he needs to write. It must become not just a desire but also a habit.
Some people may think, “Well, if I’m not inspired to write, how can I write every day to make myself inspired to write every day? Isn’t that circular logic?” It may seem like it, but it’s not, and here’s why:
When a person is out of shape, he must exercise to make his muscles strong and his body healthy. That person may have a difficult time running around the block or completing ten push-ups at first, but once he’s in shape, these tasks seem very simple.
Writing is really no different. Writers must “exercise” their writing “muscles” every day to get them in good shape—either holding the pen or pencil or typing, as well as tapping into the subconscious, forcing sentences onto the page, etc. If a writer sits down in the same place every day and makes herself do the same actions every day, the habit will make it easier to begin every day.
It’s much like driving—the effort seems monumental at first: concentrating on the road, making sure one’s speed isn’t too fast or too slow, reading all the road signs. But once a driver puts in enough time and effort, many of the difficult tasks associated with driving become second nature. A writer can train his body and his mind to expect the same thing with writing.
For writers who can’t seem to get started, freewriting for ten minutes is a good warm-up exercise.
Read Every Day
Simply reading a good story or poem can lead to inspiration. Writers should read a little something every day. News is good, because it can help inspire as well, but more often it’s helpful to a writer to read what she is already writing herself.
There are several reasons why reading can help a writer. First, a writer “absorbs” sentences, specifically the phrasing, cadence, and voice or tone of another writer. Tension, dialogue, and even proper grammar and spelling are tucked away in a writer’s subconscious.
Second, writers can read for sheet inspiration. Many writers, after finishing reading a story, for example, will think, “I like this plot—it’s interesting.” Some writers will think, “Well, I wouldn’t have ended it that way.” Others will want to try their hand at a specific genre or style after reading a favorite author. And every once in a while, a writer might even think, “Well, I can write better than that!”
Finally, writers should turn off the TV and pick up a book, unless they’re studying to write a teleplay (and even then, watching can only help so much). There is no narrative or exposition to read on television, so a writer can’t expect to learn much about writing when watching a lot of TV, even if a show’s plot is really good. Limit viewing to seven hours a week—less, if possible.
Creative Writing Habits
Sometimes for a writer to be creative, all she has to do is create some good habits like those mentioned above. There are other ways to get inspired, though, and those ideas can be found in the article Getting Excited About Creative Writing, which picks up where this article leaves off.
Happy writing!
Related article: Routines and Location Can Help Creative Writers
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