I'm not entirely sure I have any new insecurities to share. A whole lot of the same old ones I've been talking about for months and months, but nothing new. So I guess that's good? I pretty much took September off blogging (only wrote 4 posts) so I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. Blogging was always the thing that came the easiest even when every other aspect of writing seemed impossible, so when I was struggling to even come up with one blog post, I wasn't sure what to do.
I guess the blogging thing is part of a bigger insecurity, which I know I've already talked about a million times, but it constantly bothers me. I never seem to get ideas anymore. I used to get them all the time. Now, I'm not asking for a new novel idea every day, but maybe a poem here and there. Maybe less writer's block with the blog posts. I feel like my editing ideas for my novel have even slowed down. That may have something to do with the fact that I'm not actually editing, but still, where are the ideas?
I miss the excitement of getting a new idea and planning it out. The last time I felt that was when I came up with the third book idea for my series, and that was in March. And I still haven't really written any of it (let's not even talk about books 1 and 2). I just feel creatively drained. I know there are things I could do to fix it. I should be reading more. I should be trying to actually edit Book 1 or at least looking at it every day to figure things out. But I'm still avoiding it.
So maybe I should make small goals for myself. Read for a half hour every day. Just look at part of my novel, whatever part is at the front of my mind, and maybe I'll be able to rewrite. Stop watching so much TV and just listen to some music for inspiration. Maybe if I try to feed that creativity, the ideas will start flowing again.
How do you get ideas? What do you do to jump start your creativity?
Blogging is certainly on the decrease. I wonder how many other people have struggled with this and that's why they don't blog anymore.
ReplyDeleteI've noticed a big decrease in blogging and it's got me thinking, but I do enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI break things down into baby steps which seems to help my motivation.
After 10 years of blogging, I've seen it ebb and flow. Some times we need short breaks to restart the enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteTBM has a good idea:break things into small units helps. I have a volume called A POEM A DAY -- it helps prime the pump. Reading selections from your favorite books helps to spark ideas as does browsing through cyber-papers like THE WASHINGTON POST. Taking a long walk works for Stephen King. May the future hold only bright things for you. :-)
ReplyDeleteYep. Sometimes it's more fun to do the planning than getting it down onto paper. And it sure seems like lots of writers had trouble keeping up with their blogs this summer. But fall is here and maybe we'll all be able to get down to business again. good luck!
ReplyDeleteReading always inspires me! I tend to have fewer ideas when I'm editing a manuscript, and have to recharge afterwards by rereading my old favourites.
ReplyDeleteReading books in the genre I am writing always inspires me. Make a goal to read three books in your preferred genre! :)
ReplyDeleteThe ideas are still coming to me faster than I can write them. Usually something I've seen in a movie or read about will inspire the seed of an idea.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
I can go a long time without an idea.
ReplyDeleteMusic and movies usually inspire me. Although one of my own books gave me the idea for one of the short stories I'm working on this month.
I would definitely recommend reading as a source of inspiration. It also seems like a good idea to set yourself small goals. Sometimes everything can just seem too daunting and that can put you off. I heard of writing exercises that say get a sheet of paper or a blank word document and set yourself a time to write. Maybe 10 minutes. Don't think about it just write whatever comes into your head. I've never tried it myself but I know others have and say it can stimulate the creative flow. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteReading more is a good idea - you've still got time to achieve your Goodreads goal! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe try journaling - just grab a notebook, a funky pen and just write whatever comes to mind. It can even be a rant about how you have no ideas - I've done that. It kind of helps get it out of your system, make room for ideas to flow. They might not be good ideas necessarily but it's a start.... :)
My cure for a lack of ideas is lots of movies and lots of walks. Or lots of things I don't normally do in a given day. Sometimes we find what we're looking for when we're not looking for it. :)
ReplyDeleteI've thought that if I ever did get a book published (and hopefully have more in the pipeline) that I might just do my 'blogging' on a News & Events tab on a website. Dunno, it's just a thought. But I can imagine if I'm ever under contract, blogging will take a backseat. Then again, who knows! I'm so indecisive today. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you need to refill your creative well. Reading definitely helps me, but just doing something I enjoy for the fun of it does too. It reminds me of the joy of something and I want to keep having that fun, and next thing I know, I have a new story idea. And then another because the muse can't just give me one at a time.
ReplyDeleteYour plan to read each day is excellent. I have my coffee and read for an hour in the morning (starting early helps.) My blogging has been sporadic for many months and I decided to post personal book reviews each Friday, and one poem with a short article each Sunday from a book of poems I wrote for my birthday. No TV for me!
ReplyDeleteSmall goals sound like the way to go. Maybe try just a sentence a day? Like maybe your thoughts in response to a daily note: http://www.tut.com/inspiration/nftu ? It might help jog some juices. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tut.com/inspiration/nftu <-- clickable link...
DeleteIf you're emotionally/physically drained all the time, creativity definitely ebbs. When I'm pregnant, I'm a dry well. Too busy creating other things, I suppose. I find sitting down to a brainstorming session with another creative mind where there are no limits, that totally gets me going again.
ReplyDeleteDon't put too much pressure on, eh? Throw off some of the weight and you'll find it.
Perhaps you want to take yourself out of your current world. Visit something/place new, try a new project, hobby. It might end up firing those brain neurons and giving you new subject matter.
ReplyDeleteSmall goals is a great idea. Also, keep a pen and paper on you or nearby. Anytime even the inking of an idea comes your way, write it down. I also think Pinterest is a great place to look for inspiration. So many cool photographs of people who just need a story.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! :)
I've been feeling like this for pretty much the entire year - it's just so hard at the minute, both writing and blogging. But I do know for certain that I don't want to give either up; I'm just going through a rough patch. Here's hoping we both get a little more inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteYou've got the blahs. I know about that. The only thing to do is to make yourself write or edit a little each day. That's what sparks your imagination with ideas. Now I'm off to take my own advice, LOL.
ReplyDeleteLet the ideas come to you naturally. Maybe you're not getting anymore because you have too many that need working on. Count that as a blessing because I have over 40 story ideas waiting for me. That's just too many! Maybe you should try switching things up a bit with your blog. Try sharing small excerpts of your book to help you edit it. Or share some poetry. Sharing is a great idea for a blog post. :)
ReplyDeleteOn Friday, my Unicorn Bell post will be about goals...so stick around for that. :)
I think this is an excellent post because it really made me think. I've had "down" times when I just didn't want to write. Also, as you develop as a writer, it's not as easy to come up with ideas because you know there's a lot of competition and only a "great" idea will do. Your sights are set higher. I only blog once a week and just jabber about anything. But I've written a writing craft newsletter for writing site for 4 years. The first couple of years, I always had great ideas. This past year, not many coz I used them all up. I've resorted to jumping around to other writing tips sites and seeing what they're writing about. Try anything you think might work, and I bet you'll find something that does. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteTotally hear you! Blogging has been a struggle for a while for me when it used to come so naturally. Heck, in 2010 I think I blogged every weekday. But after some assessing, I know what it is. My real life took a couple serious turns and my writing took a serious turn and what I like to blog is SILLY. I sort of lost the silly and I am struggling to get it back. But you've given me an idea--I may ask for random ideas from people and then write with a goal of being silly about THAT... not probably until the new year, but I like it...
ReplyDeleteOur brains need rest from time to time. Take advantage and do a hobby you haven't done for years. That could bring more inspiration for writing too.
ReplyDeleteRecharge is different for each person, but it definitely sounds you are in need of one. A retreat? A break? A new project? Reading? A class? I hope you find something that works for you.
ReplyDeleteDifferent people recharge in different ways, and I've also found that sometimes I need a break in my routine to get re-charged. Once or twice a year, I paint a ceramic at a local ceramic shop. I'm not a skilled painter or artist, but concentrating on something completely different than normal helps me get renewed, However, I don't really want to do that very often. Normally, I go for walks. And, sometimes I look at pictures on pinterest or deviantart. Sometimes listening in to conversations at coffee shops helps.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with all of your writing and idea gathering!
You could check writersdigest.com; they post regular writing prompts. I like to write in cafes, and I often overhear other people talking as they drink their coffee. Whenever I hear or see something weird/funny/interesting I write it down, because it might be something I can use later.
ReplyDeleteI like to write flash fiction, usually no more than 1,000 words. There are blog hops all over that do flash fiction blog hops including WEP, and Share a Scare which I've entered and there is still time for you to do the same thing. I find that writing something new both gives and outlet for my creativity and also makes me a better writer.
ReplyDeleteNancy
I'm right there with you. I can't seem to get back in the blogging or writing groove. Every time I think I have some new ideas they just fizzle out. Here's hoping we can both find inspiration again. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah. I think we all go through times like this. Taking long walks, clearing my mind of all thoughts, just enjoying the clouds and trees, the flowers and birds, sometimes sparks an idea for a scene I'm having trouble with or a character that needs more developing. Once in a while, a little voice whispers in my ear and tells me something about his/her self. Listen to those voices. They might have a story to tell. Sending good wishes that you'll soon have all sorts of ideas and writing them will be so much fun.
ReplyDeleteBack when I was churning schtuff out, the ideas for stories came from all over the place. To whit:
ReplyDelete1} A dream (became novel "The Inner Sibling) about a woman doing adult movies to make ends meet.
2} A cashier dressed up as a cat (became published short story "Red Stripe" about a punk rock singer.
3} A blog post that was a short piece of flash fiction (became my novella "A Taste of Pain") about a male co-worker drooling after a female co-worker.
Basically anything you do throughout the day can become cannon fodder for a story. It's just the matter of emptying your head and letting your mind wander in the process.
Father Nature's Corner
I thought, for just a moment, I was reading my own post!
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the time of year. The weather. The thought that the holidays are *almost* around the corner.
I finished my series I've been working on for 10 years and someone asked "Do you have any other ideas to write about?"
Yes, one that I'm working on with a friend and a million other ideas, but my brain is tired. It hurts. And I have to edit my finished series but am too close to the story to do it well, so I'm working on finding beta readers.
Don't worry, the ideas will come to you. They are out there in life. You may hear a story on the news, hear a conversation between two people...I bet you have ideas galore but you are just too tired to sit down and work them out on paper!
www.heathermccubbin.blogspot.com
I have my ups and downs with blogging and writing. Reading or watching something good usually helps. Good luck!
ReplyDelete