Getting your inspiration back

[Drew Katsikas]

I haven't been able to write anything for over 1/2 of a year. I come up with little phrases or ideas, but I can never manage to flesh them out. Recently I've been thinking about this one:

"preachers drifting through a minefield, picking roses"

But after I have what I think is a suitable idea, I have nowhere to go. Suggestions?

[Big McLargehuge]

i have no help to offer.

[Dole]

take up needlepoint

[glowbelly]

force yourself to write everyday. do stream of consciousness exercises to expand ideas.

[Mockery]

It's kinda funny, I tried doing that "write something every day" thing and it never really worked for me. I've always found that just stepping away from the computer for a while, or doing something else, and then coming back to your work, is the best way to get going again.

But that can also be bad, because... sometimes, sometimes I don't ever want to come back to do my work.















ok, not sometimes... all the time.

[Drew Katsikas]

Thanks to those who took my question seriously. Namely Glow and Mock. And MCLarge, thanks for the honesty. And Dole made me chuckle.

[ProfessorCool]

Usually what I do is take the subject (or phrase in your case), and write anything you can possibly do with it. Look back, pick up a few good sentences or sub-subjects. Now repeat that with what you know have. Keep doing that until your able to get into a flow of writing and can start to compose your story, poem, ect.

That's how i basically brainstorm ideas I have, that and pacing back and forth through my home seems to spark creativity

[Big McLargehuge]

I have thought on this and the method I find helps me is to surround my self with people i like. If i am around friends for long enough it will have an effect on me and make me want to write. Also reading something great, or listening to a great album works too.

[Protoclown]

Sometimes it helps to step away from it entirely for a while, other times it may be best to force yourself to write SOMETHING. But you could always do a combination of the two...step away from whatever you're working on, but write something else you don't really care about as much. It'll get the words flowing, and you may find yourself coming up with ideas for the initial project more easily.

Of course, this really only amounts to anything if you actually have a project you definitely want to do in the first place.

[pjalne]

I usually do what Proto suggested. If I just start writing something that has no real purpose and just write for the joy of writing it might light a spark. Maybe you'll accidently shit out a phrase you could use, maybe it'll give you a fresh perspective on whatever you were supposed to be doing.

[Drew Katsikas]

Originally Posted by Big McLargehuge

I have thought on this and the method I find helps me is to surround my self with people i like. If i am around friends for long enough it will have an effect on me and make me want to write. Also reading something great, or listening to a great album works too.

Unfortunatley, I find the more content I am with my life, the less I need to express myself. Hope I don't sound like a whiny goth.

[Big McLargehuge]

I feel more need to write when I am malcontent, but i can't. I can only write well when happy.

[Mr. Vagiclean]

Originally Posted by Drew Katsikas

I haven't been able to write anything for over 1/2 of a year. I come up with little phrases or ideas, but I can never manage to flesh them out. Recently I've been thinking about this one:

"preachers drifting through a minefield, picking roses"

But after I have what I think is a suitable idea, I have nowhere to go. Suggestions?

Try rhyming the end with another phrase like

"preachers drifting through a minefield, picking roses-
hastening their pace, before the light of day closes."



Some rhyming will sound stupid i know, but alas if you land a great one in your head, you open a door to a lot more possiblities to contrive ahead

*that last rhyme was purely unintentional