#AuthorToolboxBlogHop: Visual Inspiration

Writer's block happens to almost every writer at some point. When that I happens to me I try to use music, writing prompts, and notes from my journal to help me get back into the groove. Sadly, those don't always work. That is when I turn to visual prompts. Sometimes even the most simple photo will lead me into a scene. I hope these photos can be of use to you at some point. (All photos were taken by me.)

To continue hopping through other great blogs in the monthly #AuthorToolboxBlogHop or to join, click here.

#AuthorToolboxBlogHop: Writing By Hand

Have you ever found yourself staring at a screen and your brain goes as blank as the word document you have pulled up? Whenever I find myself stuck in this position I run though my usual writer's block prompts. Which one works the best?

For me, it's pulling out my journal and writing by hand. But why is it so effective?

1. Writing the old fashioned way sparks creativity in a way that no computer screen ever can.
2. It's hard to erase handwriting. Erasing is tedious. I know you could just throw away the notebook but I find that keeping "bad" writing/ideas is a great way to learn. Also, sometimes something you thought was bad, never really was.
3. I find it easier to write with wild abandon than to type that way. When I type I constantly try to edit as I go. When I am writing by hand I don't feel that need.
4. When using a computer, especially now that every computer has an internet connection, I am constantly distracted. Email, social media, Reddit, even these blogs all distract me. Writing by hand allows for less distraction.

So, next time you're hit with some writer's block, try writing the old fashioned.

To continue hopping through other great blogs in the monthly #AuthorToolboxBlogHop or to join, click here.

Visual Writing Prompts

Here are some visual writing prompts... tell me their stories...

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Photo by: Vanessa Scott

Pexel

Pexel

Pexel

Pexel

Pexel

Pexel

Pexel

Pexel

Let's Get Creative With It!

Sometimes new ideas seem very elusive and creativity seems to be on a vacation but that shouldn't stop you from writing.

Sometimes you just need a boost or kick in the butt!!

So, what can you do??

You could listen to music. I have a soundtrack to everything I write, whether it's a story or an academic paper, I have a set of songs that have inspired me somehow.

You could get away from the computer and write everything by hand. First off, it helps stop distractions (Candy Crush... Twitter...). Secondly, the feeling of physically writing and the smell of a new notebook will help boost your creativity.

You could daydream. I swear, some of my best ideas have came from daydreaming while folding laundry or doing dishes.

You could drink a little alcohol... now, don't go get wasted but being a little tipsy will loosen you up and will help you think outside the box.

You could lie down and maybe even nod off. Sometimes your brain just needs a break.

You could go outside. Fresh air and natural sunlight are great creativity boosters. Being in  natural setting helps to stimulate the imagination.

You could exercise and blow off some steam.  If you exercise your body, you are ultimately exercising your mind. Again, I get some pretty good ideas will on my run.

One thing I do to help boost my creativity down the line is I keep a notebook and I write down the random ideas I get as I get them. See, on a day where nothing is coming to me I look through my notebooks and inspiration typically hits!

It's All In Your Head (Literally)

Writer’s block come in many shapes and forms. Sometimes your brain is as empty as that blank screen in front of you. Other times you have a million ideas and no idea how to develop them. Its when you have the perfect outline but one little part has you stuck or you are stuck in the middle of your story and you have no clue where to take it. Writer’s block can come from boredom of your characters, you don’t hate them, you don’t like them, you just want them to go away and never come back. The worst is when your brain gets stuck on how much you think everyone is going to think your story sucks. 

First off, tell your brain to shut the fuck up! Your story does not suck. Get that out of your mind and remember why you are writing. You love your idea and want to see it come to light. That is all that matters, not what some imaginary people think.

Anyway, here are some things I do to help kill my writer’s block:

1. Exercise. It boosts creativity like no other. It might sound kind of weird but no matter what exercise I am doing ideas just seem to flow the whole time. Also, studies show, that even just walking improves both convergent and divergent thinking, the two types associated with enhanced creativity.  
2. Be productive. If the words aren’t coming, clean your bathroom, do the dishes, fold the laundry. 
3. Step away from your computer, your notebook, your story. Sometimes you just need a break. Grab a coffee, watch some TV, and go back to it later.
4. Step away from the computer once more and reach for a notebook. The computer can be distracting. With Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and just the internet in general, it’s too easy to slack off on your writing and allow for the writer’s block to grow. Physically writing out your thoughts fully engages you in your writing.
5. Music. Music. Music. I write everything with a soundtrack. I write essays, research papers, stories, reports, you name, I write it with its own set of tunes. Music gets my creative juices flowing. 
6. Get on Pinterest. People are constantly posting writing prompts. They are pretty awesome. Writing about something that wasn’t your original idea could help bring your story to life. Or, even better, it might turn into your story.
7. Ask other people. I did. I was stuck with my latest blog post and I asked my Facebook friends. Ask your friends, ask people on social media, ask your mom or dad or sister or brother or significant other. Ask a kid, my kiddo gives me some funny ideas. 
8. Change your scenery. If you always write in your kitchen, move to your bedroom. Leave your laptop at home, grab a notebook, and go to a park. 
9. In the same step as changing your scenery, while you’re out there, people watch. Go all Harriet the Spy, and create stories for the people around you. Take their actions and interpret them for your story. Create a world for these people.
10. Stop waiting for perfection. Margaret Atwood said, “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.”
11. For me, the most effective help for my writer’s block is to pick up a good book and read. Sometimes all you need to do is lose yourself in someone else’s story. It will inspire you.

I really hope these work for you! Good luck on any and all of your writing endeavors.