September 2, 2010

Beating Writer's Block -- How to Find Inspiration

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "In writing, there is first a creating stage -- a time you look for ideas, you explore, you cast around for what you want to say. Like the first phase of building, this creating stage is full of possibilities."

So, where do writers cast around? While suffering from writer’s block this week, I went on a quest to discover what inspires other writers. This is what I found:

Writers find inspiration spending time with other writers
at writers’ conferences,
in a writing class,
as members of a writers’ group,
networking online and
sharing personal experiences.

Writers find inspiration reading
books,
newspapers,
magazine articles,
quotations,
blogs,
forums,
social media status updates and
online message boards.

Writers find inspiration observing
people,
animals,
events,
the sky, and
changes in weather and seasons.

Writers find inspiration viewing
art,
photographs,
exhibits,
movies,
plays, and

television programs.

Writers find inspiration listening
to music,
conversations,
silence, and
everyday sounds.

Writers find inspiration in unique places:
museums,
zoos,
flea markets,
fairs,
historical re-enactments,
train or bus stations or airports,
natural settings like woodlands or beaches,
amusement parks and
(my favorite) in courtrooms.

And here are a few “out of the box” ideas:

Some writers find inspiration

wearing certain articles of clothing when they write (I can only imagine!),

eating specific foods while writing (or, I suppose drinking specific drinks?),

in a laundry room, sitting on a lawn chair and using an ironing board as a desk.

Are you laughing? Well, that last one came from Dan Brown, author of The DaVinci Code!


What inspires you to write?



8 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Great list! It is inspiring, and gives me other ideas too. Love the picture. Thanks for sharing:)
Blessings,
Karen

Jean Fischer said...

Hi, Karen.

Thanks for stopping by. I love your blog http://karenelange.blogspot.com.

Blessings to you, too.
Jean

quietspirit said...

Jean:
I was sitting in church and from listening to the pastor, I received two ideas for our Drama Ministry skits.
I find inspiration from reading the Bible, especially Psalms and Isaiah.

Jean Fischer said...

You're right, quietspirit. The Bible often provides inspiration for writers.

Jamie said...

I write to quiet all the crazy voices in my head. I am writing in my head all day....

The world should be glad that most of the time I don't have access to a computer.

You inspire me, Jean. I can't tell you how often I think of dragonflies now because of your post. I how wish there were more around here. Keep writing inspiring. j

Jean Fischer said...

Hi, Jamie.

It's those crazy voices that make great writing!

I'm happy that you enjoyed the dragonflies post:

http://inthecompostpile.blogspot.com/2010/08/behold-dragonfly.html

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jean -

Ideas pop up everywhere. I think our problem comes from not recognizing and seizing them. Then they melt like manna in the morning sun.

This summer, my garden triggered so many ideas for posts I feared people would get bored with them. God's creation inspires me all the time.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jean Fischer said...

Hi, Susan.

You're right that ideas swirl all around us ripe for the picking.

Thanks for stopping by.

Jean