Stay to the Lights

purplebass

I am currently having a writer's block. It's painful, really painful. I used to write a lot during the week-ends (because I had more time to focus for hours on my writing) but now I don't have ideas anymore, I look at my documents and write few periods then close them. I figured it might have been because I used to read more books and watch more tv five years ago, and that inspired me stories to write. Now I am a little empty because of what has happened to me after high school ended, and I am empty of ideas as well. My friends have told me that I should be sure of myself and write for myself if I like what I'm telling in my stories, and that if I go out more, I will also have experiences to write about. Well, I am indeed going out from afternoon to late night, but the inspiration still won't come. I feel like a blank page with no emotions. I feel numb. I wonder how can I try to overcome this? I love writing, I would like to do that again.

Stay to the Lights

So you're having troubles with ideas? Read more. Think about what you read and love, clear your mind.. and if the inspiration hits, it will come.

Sometimes I feel I have too many ideas. My problem is just sitting down and writing it. It's easy to get distracted.

purplebass

when it comes to both original writing and fan fiction writing. I don't get inspired when I read, it just rarely happens I have glimpses of ideas. I wonder if it's all because of how my life is going right now (quite numbly) that I have no time to think about the fictional. I just read books, like them or hate them, then I have brief ideas and don't have the time to write them down that they are already been forgotten because I believe they're shallow ideas because they're very confused.

Tomorrow's skies

I usually have to look at something then my own ideas spark and thrive. Sometimes movies can work, otherwise I take walks in the woods and parks.

Otherwise in reading some books on writing, they suggest just writing period and I would agree. Be it jotting down notes and ideas, lists of things, reviews or comments (that required some actual thought and deliberation), journal/diary entries, it all counts and it can really help.

I also started to read more nonfiction books to expand my understanding of some topics and that's been good for me too.

purplebass

Now that I think about it, maybe read nonfiction could work. I'm into anthropology books lately because of my major, maybe read them instead of something fictional may help. I just want to find my muse again because I want to write as a job in the future. And you can't obviously be a writer if you're not creative! I will also try to write down thoughts... I'm good at random writing, maybe I could develop my stories starting from little ideas I have.

Stay to the Lights

Yeah. I have heard a suggestion to read other things than the genre you are writing about.

Tomorrow's skies

I think a good plan is to read more than your genre, at least that's what I've found. It can be easier to judge what works and what doesn't work with other genres sometimes, because you can look at them in a broader way. Also different genres can have their own writing styles, and maybe your style actually fits with others? I guess experimentation ultimately is the key at the start.

AtomicEmpress

Have you ever heard of Stream of consciousness?
Stream of consciousness (psychology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I have heard if you sit down and say to yourself 'go' and just start writing all the thoughts that go through your head, just like straight from brain to paper/computer, it can sometimes help break creative blocks by getting your brain flowing more. I have done it a couple of times.
-Pammie

purplebass

I've never thought about using the stream* of consciousness technique, but it's not a bad idea. I should try it later because it may work, I could get ideas I didn't think I had in my mind. Thank you!

*damn autocorrect XD

AtomicEmpress

Your welcome Hope it helps.
-Pammie

Stay to the Lights

I hadn't thought of that idea, but no reason why it couldn't work.

Tomorrow's skies

In my Art English class we did something similar, but it was just called free writing. I'll have to look more into this concept as I still have trouble buckling done and working.

Stay to the Lights

I think it's all about motivation. And research, so an author told me.

Tomorrow's skies

Yeah, sometimes you just have to force yourself to get into a new routine.