The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     As writers, we all face many of the same challenges that vary in degree from time to time.  Writer's block: time, lack of inspiration, hesitation, life and other challenges outside of your writing career, are some of the most broadly known problems to us all.  If these dilemmas hit us it's hard to get back to writing.  Sometimes writing a little is better than writing a lot of material that does simply nothing but depress you.  If writing keeps you going from day to day, don't give it up!  Turning to your characters and your novel can comfort you more than anything.


     List what you like and dislike about your characters.  List what the reader might like or dislike about the characters.  Sometimes a nice look at your novel in this way can open up new possibilities for character developing and sharper ideas.

My Book- A Movie?

     Have you ever told yourself that you were born a writer, so to speak?  Or that you've always been interested in writing; a young story teller.  Are you?  If that's true then you have an advantage over us all!


     Do you remember playing toys with a friend or sibling and being able to make up scenes on the spot?  That's your advantage.  Going back to those times, it was so easy to make up a story.  You knew the characters you were playing as much as you knew yourself or your friend.


     What? - It's not the same thing.  Well, of course it is!  Writing is much more difficult than playing out a story, especially if you're a youngster, but now you have literature on your side.  Our dilemma is the force that we put on our writing, which in many cases is severely needed in order for the book to be finished.  Remember how it felt to make your story like a movie?  You imagined in your mind the twists and the turns of your character's bodies that were not at all possible for your toy figurine to make.  If only writing was as playful as story making, we'd all be better off.  But it can be just as fun!

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Sometimes when you come across a stump in your story making process, "taking a break" or ignoring the problem is exactly what you want to do.  Put your story away and let the piece boil for a while.  If you have been cramming ideas into your book, trying to make things work, this will work even better for you!  Within the first night you might have "possibilities" for your book.  But hold off for a couple more days or so and see the results!


     Even though you might think you found the perfect way to write it, try to leave it be.  Your mind will expand even further in the direction you want to go.  Pause.  Don't try to remember anything you think of, just let it come and go without pressure.  You'd be surprised at how well you remember what you thought of when you let your subconscious take control.

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     Enjoying the writing process is the way to go!  If you have trouble writing make sure you take some time to "sit" on the problem.  And when you do, the first step is to see the solution within the problem.  Tell yourself that there is no problem.  Because the problem is your solution.


     It is absolutely good when there is a problem in the story.  If the problem wasn't a problem at all then solutions wouldn't matter and polishing your story would have no meaning.  Problems stand out to let us know that the story can be improved.  Start telling yourself that problems . . . are good things.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Describe yourself as a character.  On the days that you choose this writing exercise, try to change yourself slightly in stances, beliefs, flaws, and strong holds.  This helps to develop good character invention skills;  i.e. learning to walk in their shoes.  As you develop different characters in this way change up on some days, putting a particular "you" character into a situation and really try to ask yourself what you would do.  Be honest.  You can learn different takes on stances and what actually keeps people in line with what they know is right and wrong.  Anyone can slip or slack on certain issues but it is the amount of discipline and to the degree of discipline that they project onto themselves that makes them who they are.  And to a certain point, that can change every day.  Make your characters ALIVE.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     One of the best ways to overcome writing obstacles is to write.  And I mean write anything!  That's easy to say, I know, but enacting it may not be as hard as you think it is.  In fact, I'm sure you've done it in the past already!  Yeah, you might say, tried, failed, and gave up!  If that's the case, you didn't exactly do it the way you should have.  Listen up fellow writer!


     When faced with writer's block or any dilemma, it is best to embrace the hold that your mind has put on you rather than fight it.  Figure out the extra somethn' your brain wants for the story.  The only way to figure this out is to wait.  By "wait", I mean keep on until it comes to you.


     Keep on writing even if you think the material is trash.  To get to the final masterpiece your brain must cycle through other ideas and rule them out.  Even if you have it all planned out, sit through the block until the action finally starts. - Write.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     On a writer's good day he/she can give advice to fellow writers if asked to.  Because the writer is up to beat that day, recieving many ideas, the ideas coming to him can quickly come to life in words.  If you can do this, or have helped someone in this way, it's no wonder the day you can't write becomes "a dying day".  Frustrated and eager minds quickly label failures in this way.  So, I'll bet you want someone like you on those days.  But why not have you.


     On those good days take some time after you write or on breaks to give a quick note on what motivated, inspired, or helped you write.  Then on the bad days, open up this note and read for yourself some helpful tips on what can get you going.  After all, who is better to help you than yourself.  You know what to warn yourself of and how to get that mind of yours going.  The pure feeling of opening the note can give you the inspiration you need, as you remember how good it felt to write on that good day of yours.

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     A writer asked himself if this is where he belonged.  Where?  As a writer, of course!  Even though he is identified as a writer here and is actually asking as a writer, he still wants to be sure that is what he is.  A writer is a writer.  The question that should be asked is whether or not this is who he wants to be.


     If you are writing and ask this question, you should know that you are already a writer.  And yes, this is where you should be.  Someone who writes loves to write.  With things that we love there will always be hard and troubling times that we must learn to deal with in a way that puts us back on track with what we love.  Because we love something, we want to do it right and not mess it up - that is what can be stressful.

The Writer And The Reader- The Author That Cares

          When motivation kicks in and we are on a role, nothing can stop us!  Ideas are coming...and going...  What happens when inspiration is there but what we have is not coming out in words.  There is only one thing you can do:  If information is already accredited, the story is developed and all that is left is writing it all out, be silent.  -  In other words, relax.


     Like I have said before, a scattered mind only gives scattered results.  So you must wait until something develops.  This is just part of the writing process that we always expect to skip every now and then.  Writing a book takes time.  And no matter how short on time you are, do things in the order that they come to you.  Wait to write until you feel like writing and don't force it.


     Don't get me wrong, sometimes pushing through things can get you to where you needed to be quite successfully, but it is all on the time that you decide to do it.  You know best!

The Writer And The Reader- The Author That Cares

        As an author, you know why you write.  You love to!  There are countless reasons for every writer.  So reminding yourself on these reasons are healthy ways to keep you writing and inspired.  Don't give up!


     If you're down on yourself or frustrated with your writing progress, and reminding yourself of these reasons doesn't help, try thinking of your audience - the many waiting to be inspired by your words.  Why do the readers read?  They share a lot of the same reasons that you have for why you write.  The writer and the reader share a deep connection.  Concentrating on this relationship is inspiring.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Do you ever feel happy reading your mail or emails?  Do reminders in the mail help you stay on track?  Here's an idea:  there is someone who wants to see you finish your book and is emailing you constantly, everyday, to remind you and to give suggestions.


     Okay if the message isn't worth seeing you might end up with a crowed inbox, but say that it is worth it.  Sometimes ideas roll in and suggestions of ways to go in the story.  Who?  An agent.  No.  A publisher?  I wish.  A friend?  hmmm....you might call it that.  It's a character from your book!


     What?!  Ha, ha!  A character from your book is a very important individual to be speaking to you because they know how much your book has to offer.  There is no one else who has that special insight.  The author that spends valuable time to put together something that can be shared and provide a joyful experience for those who read the material, should be as eager as the character in their book to get this thing finished!

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     When faced with a writing dilema, or writer's block, the writer can go with the flow and work with the dilema by going at the pace he/or she is alloted.  We like to think that we can rush our way through the block in our mind and end up with something to work with, but in reality, a book takes time to create.  If you could come up with something that fast, you're like a computer!  Why not have it pre-written, for crying out loud?  Where's the joy in creating the story?

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     Are you facing a writing dilemma.  Most often it's either ourselves, or time getting in the way.  Taking time out to sort through the problem is necessary.  Time can be a stressful thing, but time will go on with or with out you.  Further, it will go on regardless of the way you feel; nervous wreck or calm and sufficed.


     Chances are you will eventually find a solution.  Just remember that a clouded mind brings clouded results.  The best way to deal with a writing dilemma is to relax.  The writing problem can be resolved much easier this way.  Though it's hard to do, be it writer's block, writing dilemma and any other problems, we all know that a clear mind is the best way to go if we can get there.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Answering questions can be your worst nightmare.  In many situations around the world it is the fear that we might answer them wrongly or draw the wrong impression from our response.  The writer certainly has questions he/she must be able to answer about their work.  They have to know the answers to the questions because for most of these questions, the author has already asked it to himself (sometimes instinctively, without knowing).  The author has character questions to answer as well.  But when relating to your story line, have you asked the "tough questions"?


     Asking tough questions can bring forth story ideas and room for development.  For example, who do I save first?  Knowing that there is a possibility you will not be able to save everyone, put in an extreme situation, and think of what you would do if you and the people you know were the characters.  How horrible it would be for these characters in their dying moments to see you choose from them in order of importance.  We do this all the time when watching movies and reading books.  We relate to the characters in this way.  We try to feel what they are experiencing.

The Power To Write- Get Inspired

     You, the writer, have a passion to write.  It's a hobby that will be a part of you forever.  To become inspired is the driving force behind the scenes.  We inspire ourselves to write even when we are unaware that we are doing so.  It keeps us writing, keeps people reading, keeps the dreams alive and the world turning.  Our writing turns into inspiration for others all around the globe.  Remember why you write.  Constantly remind yourself of the many reasons why you write.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Being able to answer basic questions about your book and story line is essential for the novels sake.  It is in these basic questions that we sometimes assume to know already but don't, that every author should be able to answer, and the simplicity brings on a broader perspective as you go from one question to another or idea that develops into material used in your novel.  Ask yourself these basic questions, but go even further to ask character questions.

     For example, try thinking of basic questions that people ask themselves in the real world.  "What am I doing?"  "Who am I?"  "What now?"  All of these questions provide large range thinking and developing of character.  For instance, my favorite, "Who am I?", can help you expand on your characters, and know them better, by helping them answer the questions.  What does this character think of himself?

     You might even use some of the questions that you came up with in your book.  And when your character gets to a certain emotional point, one of these questions might arise.  You will relate to your character's feelings and help the reader to also.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Writer's block is complicated at times, but the solution is always easier than the problem.  Ask yourself some basic questions.  Sometimes the answer is found through understanding what the problem actually is.  Try it.  You might not know as much as you think you do.  Thus, the writing problem could be created from a lack of information.


     If you can answer the "basic" of basic questions (real simple ones), then you can move on to other possible culprits to your writing dilemma.  But chances are, that if you take some time to do this the problems will work themselves out as you will move along the right direction and begin to write your book again, the way you wanted to.

The Writer And The Reader- The Author That Cares

     Writing is something we love, it's something we work towards and build; like a relationship.  To feel down about your writing is just a strive to perfect something you care about.  To be blocked, i.e. with writer's block, is a tender moment in time when you or your mind simply has nothing to say at the moment.  Think about actual books and their story line.  There are times when a character(s) aren't sure where to move, or come to a point of affection that can only be answered by silence; by thought.  There's nothing wrong with this pause.  When you embrace it, maybe find something else to write, is when you will let the author in you take control.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Sometimes writing a poem for your story can help bring out the details you must focus on.  What I call a "writer's block" poem takes apart what you know of your novel and the keys that your character holds to it all.  Find the most important set back that a character experiences and his/her adoration and link the two together.  Basically, tell the characters story in summary, focusing on key details, and let it be in their psychological world, if you will.  For example, a problem should be symbolized  by something, or by the setting (dark, gloomy, etc.).  The long term goal or happiness that the character experiences everyday can be symbolized by many things; usually it's best to have it go along with the setting and other symbols.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Has writer's block struck again?  Relax, your story is not going anywhere- hand it over to the pros!  Try letting a character from your book write the story.


     The character is in a climax, he's at the edge of that cliff, and actually feels much like you right now- frustrated, exhausted, and challenged.  They'd laugh if you told them that they could write the rest of the story.  But then they would realize, it's no joke.  Imagine their emotions, and the outcomes they make for themselves.


     Did the character create an even better story?  Has this new author written you over?  Ha!  By the time this is finished, you might feel like the character yourself!