Through The Pages

Five ways to get writing inspiration as well as cure writer's block

If you're like me, once you have a good idea for a story, the writing part is a blast. But, what about finding something to write about? I know it can be hard to find your own idea that you know hasn't already been written by someone else. So here are some tips to help you find your own idea.

1. Books

Books are one of the best ways to collect inspiration for your writing through other people's writing. Reading good writing from other authors can both help you improve your own writing, as well as encourage you to write your own story. Although, you must be cautious while reading good books that you will not have the urge to create a story similar or identical to the other person's. DO NOT STEAL IDEAS, people will know when they read your story. So, to prevent this, I recommend writing your outline down on a sheet of paper, and going over each event, as well as all the characters to make sure that they do not sound copied.

As long as you do not steal, enjoy a nice stack of good books and let your creativity flow.

2. People!

I love this form of writing inspiration. Go to a local park near you and plop down on one of the benches overlooking the whole area. Watch the people around you, find someone particularly interesting, and write about them. Write about what they may be doing, make up an interesting story for them, why might they be at this park? Write about it! I know this sounds very creepy, but I do it with high dignity. Humanity can be very...interesting.

3. Dialogue

Relating to the person form of inspiration, try listening, not in a bad way, to people's conversations around you. If hear something that is not too personal, but interesting, try jotting it down in a notebook. Later, write a story based on this piece of dialogue and see how it comes out!

4. Art

Art can be a great inspiration for any writer. If you have time, and if you're like me, you'll have plenty, head down to a local art gallery or museum and check out all the art pieces. If you're stuck at home, try checking out some art online. Pick out the pieces you find interesting, and see if any jumbled ideas pop into your head. If not, check out more and more until you get that one piece.

5. Prompts

Even if you're only writing a short story, try surfing the web for writing prompts, you'll find millions out there! Writing prompts really help to give you a simple outline to write off of. The writing possibilities could be endless for each and every prompt you find. I post a Prompt of the Day, everyday, if you need one!

6. Nature

When you're experiencing writer's block (it happens to everyone at one point), try going for a hike or a walk around your neighborhood. I have a creek as well as a nice park behind my house that serve as great writing inspiration for me, find your place! Even looking at pictures of interesting places in nature can help you be more optimistic about writing.

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Hope this helped you! :P

Unknown

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Three ways NOT to start your book

The beginning of your story is, in a way, one of the most important and vital parts of the entire book. Even the first word alone can decide whether your readers will want to keep reading, or won't. It is important to create a good hook that helps to start the general flow of the plot line to draw the reader into the story, and I know it can be hard. So, here are some DON'TS to starting your story.

1. Alarm clocks!

I know it feels easy to start off a story with your character waking up to the sound of an alarm clock, but this is NOT the way to start off a story that you want to be popular.

Have you ever heard of the term "Déjà vu"? Well, that's exactly what I feel, and I'm sure some of you feel when you see this type of beginning. So. Many. Stories. Begin. With. This! The whole point of the beginning is to hook in your reader, and one way to catch their attention is by making your story, as well as the beginning, UNIQUE!

Unique= Not like the rest!

2. Prologues

Some of you may be surprised at this one, I know if I were younger than I am today, I would be, too. Because, I used to use prologues ALL THE TIME. But, prologues can be, a lot of times, annoying, and useless. If you really think about it, you don't need prologues in your book, because prologues are just backstories that lead up to chapter one. And readers know this, so, most of the time, they'll either skip it or read it without their full attention, therefore boring them and making them less optimistic about your story.

Some of you may be saying "But what if I need a way to explain my story at the beginning?". Personally, I love when a book starts out when the reader has no idea what is going on. It makes me want to keep reading to find out, therefore catching my attention. Leave the explaining to a later time in the beginning section of your story!

3. Dreams

Please don't open a story with a dream. Sure, the action of a dream can hook a reader, but after revealing that it was only a dream, it can disappoint the reader, as well as frustrate a reader. Especially when, after the action of the dream, the story is slow and boring, with the main character getting out of bed and going to school, or getting ready for work, etc. When this happens, I am mentally hurling your book across the room and at the wall.

Although, there is an exception to the "no-dream" rule as long as, after the dream, you continue the story at almost the same level of thrill and action, but, I have found this hard to do. My advice, just don't start your story with a dream in the first place.

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Hope this helped you fix your story starting habits! I know I didn't mention a few, such as opening with dialogue, weather, etc. but these are the main three DON'TS to starting your story. Thanks for reading! :)

Nadine Gordimer

Always, and I mean ALWAYS carry a small notepad with you, everywhere you go. Ideas can come from anywhere, at any time. It’s always efficient to write down your ideas, right as they come to mind. Even if it’s a barely developed idea, write it down in a notebook! If you don’t have one with you, write it on a tissue, a napkin! It’s so easy to forget your ideas if you don’t write them down immediately.

After getting an idea, take the time, if you have any, to further develop and brainstorm the main idea in your notebook. Make a plot timeline, develop characters, a basic outline of the story. I have found that this technique really helps me with my writing process.

Reading is crucial if you want to be a good writer. The more you read, the more you can improve your writing through other authors works. Reading shows you, through good books, the things you should do in your writing, and through bad books, the things you shouldn't. READ, IF YOU DON'T READ, YOU CAN'T WRITE.

-Madeleine L'Engle

-Ernest Hemingway

SHOW EMOTIONS INSTEAD OF EXPLAINING THEM IN A SIMPLE WORD.

Instead of saying something such as, “He sat down sadly”, describe his actions, facial expressions, etc. that SHOW you and the reader that he is sad.

For example, “He crumpled into his seat, burying his face in his hands.” Horrible example, I know, but you get the point.