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What do you do when you just can’t bring yourself to put pen to paper? Yeah, I know you’ve struggled with the P word, all good writers do. It’s hard to run the rigors of everyday life and find the time to be creative. Let’s face it, in our society inspiration is not highly valued and neither is creativity for that matter. Who’s to say that isn’t the causality?

Excuses Are Like… Well You Know
Here are some interesting takes on procrastination:

So I thought that the reason I couldn’t get any writing done was cause I was to busy and stressed with planning my wedding. But I had enough time for gaming. Then I figured that my creativeness was hampered by my mother staying in the house. She’s gone now. So what’s my problem? My muse went on vacation and hasn’t gotten back yet? My cat got my fingers? Humph!

Is this you? Or maybe this is more like it:

Ha ha, I’m brazen enough not to use an excuse. I’m not writing at the moment because I just can’t be bothered!

Well either way, there’s nothing more to this than procrastination. Here is what others had to say about that on One of Us, a forum for creative writers in the UK:

Can’t remember his name, but there was an author who said ‘I only write when I’m inspired. However, I make sure that I am inspired at exactly 9.30 every morning.” One of the most under rated skills in writing is the ability to sit at a your desk for an hour a day, even if you can’t manage to write anything in that time. Trying to do that myself at the moment and often end up facing a blank page. Not a nice feeling.

If inspiration doesn’t strike straight away, I often do some work on editing/polishing something I’ve written previously. Sometimes that gets me in the mood for writing, and sometimes it doesn’t, but if not, at least I’ve achieved something with the time I’ve set aside.

When I get the touch of the blocks I go back to my study books select one and start from page one I read as much as I can. Before long something comes up into my head and I have to put the book down and write a bit. It usually is a load of rubbish but it often gets me going again.

I purposefully keep some (what I consider to be) very crappy published books by other authors (won’t say who in case anyone’s a fan) for this reason. If ever I’m feeling lost for inspiration, I usually read a chapter or two of these books…by the time I’m finished, I’m thinking ‘I can write better than that!’…and ta daa! If I still can’t write after that, I know I’m in trouble.

Inspiration Really is All Around You
Here is proof that inspiration can come from anywhere:

At first I couldn’t write because I had four kids at home, but then they all went to school,
then I couldn’t write because my house was such a mess, so I cleaned it all up,
then I couldn’t write because I couldn’t find the pen I needed, the exact one from which all ideas flow, the red and yellow one I bought at ‘Afternoon Tea’,
I found my pen but couldn’t write because I did not have the right notebook, it must be hardback, spiral bound, unlined.
I found my notebook, I had the pen but the light was too bright coming in the window, so I had to change the curtains. This involved going out to buy fabric, despite the fact I can’t sew and don’t own a tape measure. Rigged up some ‘curtains’ ( loose term) and sat down to write.
When I got into a flow, where the ideas just seemed to be coming through me and not from me, I promised myself I would not lose my train of thought and I went off to make a cup of coffee.
Yes I lost my train of thought.
You are not alone.

Use Your Procrastination as a Writing Tool
Instead of worrying about when you’re going to get that next story down, use that procrastination time to your advantage. Here are a few things you can do in your down time:

1. Read: Read anything you can get your hands on from poetry and short stories, to your local newspaper.Critique what you are reading pointing out what you would do differently. Hey, maybe you’ll find yourself inspired to write something down.
2. Paint: Sometimes expressing yourself in a new and visual way can help stir those creative juices.
3. Write: Write short pieces inspired by flash fiction prompts. Try not to focus on the outcome, it’s more of an exercise to work through writer’s block.
4. Walk: Go for a walk. This can be as simple as taking a stroll down your favorite city street or planning a three day backpacking trip in your favorite national park. Being surrounded by fresh air or bustling streets can work wonders for your imagination.
5. Watch: Just look around you. There are new things going on all the time. Everyone has a story to tell. Try to imagine what’s going on in the lives of those around you. If you feel so inclined, talk to them. You never know what tidbit of inspiration will come from a quick conversation with a stranger.

Just remember, you can never really lose those ideas that simmer in your head, like energy they never die. As they say with sauce, the longer it simmers, the better. Let those ideas cook and soon enough you’ll boil over with inspiration.

Writing tip provided by Ann Douglas

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Tags: Creative Writing Tips