You’ve hit a wall. Your creativity is at an all-time low and you’re struggling to decide what to write next. You sit, staring at a blank page, wondering what to do. This is a scenario that all writers have experienced at some point. Writer’s block is a common problem and it stumps even the most creative professionals. Luckily, you can get over this obstacle.
The experts at leading self-publishing company, Author Solutions, have the answer to. As they put it, the ‘key to unlocking your trapped creativity is… Creativity!’ To help you overcome the blockage, here are some of the simple activities the experts suggest.
1. Take a break (and look around you!)
Trying to write when your creative fuel is running low is a mistake. You can’t force inspiration to come. Put down your pen and paper, or back away from your computer for a moment. While this tip may seem counterproductive, taking a break is the way to go.
The experts at Author Solutions recommend heading out to the grocery store, a local cafe, or other public places. When you do so, listen to the conversations that are going on around you. For example, you may hear a couple talking about their relationship. You may witness an awkward business meeting going on at a table beside you.
Taking inspiration from the things that you notice in the real-world is a savvy move. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you can always draw on reality to help you along the way. For instance, let’s say you’re struggling to write some dialogue for your character. Simply listening to some real-life conversations will help you get it right.
2. Use your memories as inspiration
Is it time to start writing your autobiography? When you’re working on a piece of creative writing and you get unstuck, it could be worth reflecting on times gone by. The experts at Author Solutions recommend writing about your favorite childhood memories or things that have made you sad in your past. Bringing up those emotions and passion could give you the inspiration you’ve been searching for within your work.
Grab a piece of paper, get comfortable, and start writing. It may help to pick a decade or specific period in your life. For example, you may choose to write about your first day at school, your first ever date, or the first time you moved away from home. Whatever you choose, take yourself back to that moment and write about your firsthand experiences.
4. Try recapping recent events
You might not want to mine your past for some inspiration. If that’s the case, you can always look to recent events instead. The team at Author Solutions suggest recapping your day at work, a recent shopping trip, or a family gathering. You can fictionalize the events and make them even more elaborate than they were.
As the experts put it, there’s ‘no agenda, no goals, no metric’ to this type of exercise. You shouldn’t put too much emphasis on whether what you are writing is good or otherwise. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that you get over the block and start writing again. When you are over that hurdle, you can get back to your work.
4. Draw inspiration from pop culture
The world of pop culture is as rich as it is fascinating. When you’re looking for some creative inspiration, it’s worth drawing upon these realms. When you’re suffering from writer’s block, the experts at Author Solutions suggest writing a couple of paragraphs on your favorite celebrity, athlete, or politician. Believe it or not, this short and sweet exercise could be just what you need to get those creative juices flowing.
You might want to write a first-person description from the perspective of your chosen individual. For instance, if you choose Taylor Swift as your favorite celebrity, you could write what you envision she would write as an entry in her diary. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers here. This is simply an exercise to get you writing again.
5. Take a quick look at the news
When was the last time you read the news? If you’re looking for a quick activity to get you writing, here’s an easy one from Author Solutions. Get a newspaper or open a news site online. Pick a story at random and start reading it. When you get around halfway through the piece, stop and put it down (or close the webpage). Now it’s your turn to write.
Imagine what happens next in the story and finish writing it yourself. For example, the start of the article may be about how a man rescued a stray dog he found in the park. What happened next? Has he taken the dog to a shelter? Or, as a nice twist, has he given the dog to a woman at work and sparked an unlikely romance? You have the opportunity to take the story wherever you see fit. The more creative you are here, the better it will be.
Conclusion
Writer’s block can be infuriating, but you shouldn’t let it hold you back. Trying some of these expert-backed tips is a quick way to get your creative work back on track. Why not get started today and get your literary mojo back in no time at all?
About Author Solutions
With more than 22 years of collective experience, Author Solutions is a leading self-publishing company. Since its establishment, the company has helped publish 300,000 books. Helping writers realize their dreams of becoming authors, the team of dedicated experts offers world-class care and support from start to finish.
Author Solutions has helped many writers jump from self-publishing to film optioning or traditional publishing. With a vast amount of industry relations and in-house support, the company provides opportunities for emerging authors to be discovered by other publishing companies and representatives from the entertainment industry.
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