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.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Like viewing the earth from outer space, seeing your book from above with all other books brings you back to reality.  (Maybe my book isn't as big as I thought it was....)  But seeing from a distance also misguides you at times.  Everyone should look at their career this way to see how they could improve.  Just don't let it scare you.


     Of the many benefits, one is that you can see how your book correlates with other books of the same genres.  You might notice that the climax in most westerns happen around the same points in time as your western does, for example.  Your books add up along with all the others.  Taking some time to see how is beneficial and interesting if you really take some time to think about it.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Romance Books Make the Best Movies- Revisited

There are so many romance stories out there.  It is a very popular genre.  It is very common now days to see this genre mixed in with many other genres.  Like action, science fiction, and horror movies, for example.  There is such an art to writing these genres that creates something truly unique.  Some romance movies based on books are The Adjustment Bureau based on the book Selected Stories of Philip K. Dick, Home in Indiana based on the book The Phantom Philly by George Agnew Chamberlain, and The Town based on the book Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan.  It is fun to see these genres at their best.  These are good reads, and their movies are exciting to see!

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Pay attention!  Have you told yourself that recently?  I have.  Sometimes I can't stay focused on what I'm writing on my novel and end up jumping around and saying "what if's".  Other times, I draw a blank, and go no where.  Every time I stall I kick myself mentally and talk to myself.  The times that hurt are when I don't and waste my time dreadfully.


     To help I began to make a list of the comments that I tell myself while writing.  I keep the list of quotes by my writing desk where it is very visible.  Each time before I write, I look at the list and I find it is easier for me to stay on track this way.  I do say, I never thought I'd be quoting myself.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Finding a writing group, or writing partner is sometimes necessary depending on the individual author.  Whether it is frequent or on a need-to-do basis, sharing has its many benefits.  And if you've run into trouble, and haven't tried it yet, you should give it a shot!


     Socializing with others always gives an extra edge to the subject, may it be the inspiration, another take on the matter, an insight otherwise not seen, or only the satisfaction of your voice being heard, a writing friend is full of surprises, and the list could go on.  Many authors have gone through this process.  Some seek writing groups, others go from one writing group or one individual to another to share their work, and still others simply read their work to a family member.


     You don't even have to speak of your current work.  The process of "speaking about writing" is soothing in itself.  Some writers develop a whole new idea that would not have come up if they hadn't used both of their heads to do it.  Some people join to write a book together.  You never know where writing may take you if you pull yourself up to your greatest ability.

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

     Poems based on books enlighten the world around us.  If you need a writing exercise or even some inspiration pull out your favorite book and write a poem describing it.  Since songs are so much like poems, I like to pick a song that reminds me of the story and listen to it before I begin my poem.  This is so fun!  While writing you remember all the memories of reading this book and now you are describing that joy in writing.  Don't worry about not doing justice to the novel, just go with it.  It actually brings more popularity to the novel, and it puts you in writing mode.  Think of it as a book review.

Writing Ideas- Activities For Your Book

     Find out how books or movies are balanced.  Think of all the climatic points and weigh their importance.  You can think of good versus bad outcomes.  If you do this enough you'll notice trends relating to certain genres.  Sometimes it begs the question, "Is their an ideal pattern to genres?"

     A story usually satisfies both needs for problems and solutions so that there is a clear and defined ending.  On occasion, horror books or movies have one bad thing happen after another and leave the conclusion with another bad happening.  Some movies and books end on a happier note and seem to lean the total balance that way also.  Others are equal in presenting both life's trials and satisfying outcomes.  Can you feel the balance in your own book?  As you add things on both sides of the scale, eventually you have picked apart your novel and the weight is either equal on both sides or leaning toward one.

What Inspires the Writer In Me- Action Genres Continued

Action genres are so fun.  They provide a way to get the reader on the edge of their seat nonstop.  I think the writer experiences just as much when they are writing this as the reader does, if not more!  I love to be inspired by these genres.  Something that inspires me to write an action book the most would be things that I would find very difficult to do.  Of course, finding a bomb and disabling it would be a very hard and stressful situation to be in.  Trying to stop a train before it heads towards a broken bridge would be another.  These situations would inspire me to be able to write an action book that would keep my readers on the edge of their seat.  Naturally my character would be doing all of the work and risk all of the danger.  Something I could live with.

What Inspires the Writer In Me- Short Stories

How do we know whether we are going to write a short story, novella, or a novel?  As writers I think we get a feeling.  Something inspires us.  I like to write short stories.  What inspires me to write them are situations that I could put myself in for a moment.  Kind of like a short break.  Maybe a moment to drink a cup of coffee, or a walk in the park.  A story that centers on something like this that gives the reader a break is my idea of a short story.  I also get inspired when I think of situations that center on emotion.  I focus on a specific emotion of anger, sadness, happiness, or fear.  These are situations that I can put myself in as well.  Writing about a happy situation would be a kid that lost a tooth, or  winning a sports game.  I would use a sick person and a dying pet for a sad situation.  No matter what genre the story, I like to think of these things to start with.  That is what works for me!

What Inspires the Writer In Me- Short Stories Continued...

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