Finding Inspiration to Write
Emma Totaro
Do you ever feel the pressure to write a story or poem but have no inspiration or motivation to do it? Well, you’re not alone. Plenty of writers deal with this daily.
Imagination and inspiration surround us at every moment of every day. However, we must train ourselves to actively look for it to find it. Here are five ways to find inspiration:
Spend Time in Nature
The peacefulness of listening to birds chirp, smelling freshly cut grass, or feeling the breeze on your face can often quiet the mind. Quieting the mind is an essential first step in finding inspiration. You must create a quiet space in your mind so that inspiration can seep in and fill the space.
I find that the sounds and smells found in nature are inspiring in their own way. If you close your eyes, the breeze in front of your house could turn into the breeze in the middle of the ocean; the birds in the oak tree across the street could turn into a cacophony of sound in a rainforest; the grass beneath you could turn into swaying prairies. Inspiration can come from anywhere if you clear your mind and let your imagination run wild.
Listen to People’s Conversations
Another place to find inspiration is a populated place like a coffee shop, restaurant, college campus, or park. As you sit around people, listen to the conversations people are having. Often, little snippets of their exchanges will stick out to you. Writers often use pieces of interesting dialogue they heard in public as a jumping-off point for a character or scene in their piece.
However, paying attention to specific dialogue is not the only way to garner inspiration from public places. You can study how people dress or carry themselves to imagine how a particular character would dress or react to situations. Observing people is a great way to learn how people move, respond, and subconsciously function.
Search Pinterest
One of the main ways I get inspired and come up with stories is by browsing Pinterest for interesting photos. Often, I will search for a particular aspect I am interested in pursuing; this could be something general like a genre (e.g., science fiction or fantasy) or a niche theme (e.g., aliens or forest spirits). Plenty of artists upload their work to Pinterest, so there is always an abundance of drawings that could help you world-build, create characters, or narrow in on certain themes or topics in the story-building process.
Try Different Writing Prompts
Another way people can find inspiration is by searching the internet for writing prompts. Plenty of writing prompt generators pop up with a simple search. These generators are beneficial because they push you to be creative and write things outside your typical genres or themes. Plus, you can keep generating prompts until you find one that speaks to you. Then, write away! Don’t feel pressured to stick to the prompt. The prompt is only there to get you started.
Read a Book, Listen to Music, or Watch a Movie
Rather than passively engaging in these activities to escape from reality, push yourself to actively look for inspiration in a book, song, or movie. Do you connect with a certain character? Write a character like them. Do you gravitate toward specific themes? Write a story with a different spin on those themes. Do you resonate with dramatic music? Come up with a dramatic plot line. There are many ways to actively look for inspiration, even in other finished works.
Then, once you have an idea, the next big hurdle is mustering up the motivation to write. Here are three ways to get in the right headspace to write:
Turn on Motivating Music
Some people write best when immersed in music that matches the vibe of their writing. This music often inspires other ideas and blocks out the world. By putting in headphones and putting on a favorite playlist, you are tuning out everything around you and actively engaging in the creation process.
Sit Down to Write in an Aesthetically Pleasing Spot
The setting is crucial both in stories and in real life. If your setting is not pleasing to you or is not where you can stay focused, then you will not be productive or write. You need to be somewhere that fosters creativity and productivity. This is different for every person. I highly enjoy writing outside with a pretty view on a nice, sunny day. However, some people might prefer cozying up by the fire with a blanket or sitting at their desk with bright light filling the room. Learn where you are most productive and go write there.
Turn Notifications on Silent
The one thing that ruins my creativity is endless notifications. Creativity is a zone, and notifications from your phone or computer can disrupt your creative flow and pull you out of the world you are creating. Once you find motivation and are in the zone, staying focused and writing is imperative. Good writing is intentional writing, meaning that you must intentionally set aside time to be immersed in the process.
At the end of the day, you need to actively participate. Inspiration and motivation are not going to simply fall in your lap. Inspiration requires searching and being observant. Then, you must find your productive headspace and write until your story is complete. Finding inspiration and motivation is the hardest part. Once you start writing your story, the rest will come. Keep at it and keep your eyes and ears open.
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