10 Effective Strategies for Getting Inspiration to Write
As someone, probably Gustav Flaubert, said, writing is an art. But it is also a great challenge. Whether you're an aspiring novelist, a seasoned journalist, or a passionate blogger, you've likely faced the dreaded “writer’s block” at some point.
On some days, the words flow effortlessly, while on others, even the simplest sentence seems impossible. If writing is something you take seriously—or plan to pursue as a career—developing strategies to find inspiration becomes essential.
Thankfully, creativity doesn’t always have to strike like lightning. There are ways to encourage inspiration and make writing a more consistent and enjoyable process.
Here are ten tried-and-true strategies for getting inspiration to write to help you find your voice and ignite that creative spark.
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1. Read as Much as Possible
Reading is the lifeblood of a writer’s creativity. By immersing yourself in diverse works, you fuel your imagination and unlock new ideas.
Why Reading Works:
- Exposes you to various styles: Reading different authors helps you learn sentence structures, tones, and styles that you can incorporate into your own writing.
- Inspires new ideas: Different genres, formats, and topics push you beyond your comfort zone, sparking creativity in ways you never expected.
Action Steps:
- Diversify your reading: If you’re a fan of fiction, try reading a biography or historical non-fiction.
- Set aside time to read daily: I think even 20 minutes of reading each day can help you stay connected to new ideas. However, famous author Stephen King suggests that writers should aim to read around 70–80 books annually.
2. Change Your Environment
Your writing environment plays a crucial role in how creative you feel. If you’re always writing at the same desk, in the same room, day after day, it’s no wonder you hit a creative wall.
How Environment Affects Creativity:
- A cluttered or repetitive space can stifle your imagination.
- A new, stimulating location encourages fresh thinking and new perspectives.
Action Steps:
- Write somewhere new: Try a café, a park, or even a different room in your house.
- Modify your workspace: Set up your home office, add plants, adjust lighting, or rearrange your desk. Even switching from a pen to a keyboard or a pen tablet can change how you feel about writing.
🔥Pro Tip: Many writers find natural light boosts productivity and creativity. Consider moving near a window or adding soft lighting to your space.
3. Start with a Prompt or Writing Exercise
When you don’t know where to start, using a writing prompt can remove the pressure of coming up with ideas from scratch.
Benefits of Prompts:
- Prompts provide a starting point for your imagination.
- They often challenge you to think in ways you wouldn’t have on your own.
Example Prompts:
- “Describe a city at midnight, but make it feel peaceful.”
- “Write a conversation between two people who can’t see each other.”
Writing Exercises:
- Freewriting: Write non-stop for 10 minutes without editing or judging. The goal is to release whatever comes to mind.
- Rewrite a favorite passage: Take a paragraph from a novel you love and rewrite it in your own words, focusing on tone and style.
🖊️ Author Ray Bradbury often suggested writing 1000 words a day, even if it was nonsense, as a way to stimulate creativity.
4. Engage in Creative Cross-Training
Creativity is not limited to writing alone. By engaging in creative cross-training, you stimulate parts of your brain that aren’t directly related to writing, but still fuel your creativity.
Activities to Try:
- 🎨 Painting: Improves visual imagination.
- 🎺 Playing an instrument: Enhances sense of rhythm, useful for pacing in writing.
- 🥘 Cooking: Engages senses and can lead to metaphorical thinking.
🏃 Famed writer Haruki Murakami is known for his discipline in long-distance running. He claims it helps him maintain the stamina required for long writing sessions.
5. Establish a Routine and Stick to It
Inspiration may feel spontaneous, but establishing a writing routine can make it easier to summon creativity when you need it.
Why Routines Work:
- You condition your brain to focus during specific times.
- Reduces procrastination because writing becomes part of your daily habit.
Action Steps:
- Set a daily writing time: Stick to it, whether you feel like writing or not.
- Create rituals: Brew coffee, listen to a specific playlist, or light a candle to signal that it’s time to write.
Ernest Hemingway was known for writing at dawn each day, finishing his session before noon. He believed writing early allowed his brain to stay fresh for the rest of the day.
6. Embrace Freewriting
Freewriting is a simple technique that helps unlock creativity by removing the pressure of perfection. Set a timer, and write continuously without worrying about grammar, punctuation, or logic.
Benefits of Freewriting:
- Eliminates fear of judgment.
- Frees up mental space for deeper ideas to emerge.
Example Exercise:
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- Write whatever comes to mind without editing or stopping.
Even if what you write is incoherent, the process often clears mental clutter, making it easier to return to structured writing later.
7. Draw Inspiration from Real Life
Your real-life experiences are a goldmine of potential ideas. From a quirky conversation to an emotional experience, authenticity comes from your personal lens.
How to Use Real Life:
- Keep a journal: Jot down snippets of interesting dialogue, descriptions of places, or thoughts that come to mind during the day.
- Find inspiration in the mundane: Sometimes, everyday moments can be turned into compelling stories with just a bit of creative imagination.
💡 Many of J.K. Rowling’s ideas for Harry Potter came from her experiences riding trains and observing people.
8. Set Small, Achievable Goals
Big goals, like writing a novel, can feel daunting and discouraging. By setting smaller, achievable milestones, you build momentum and gain confidence.
Why Small Goals Work:
- They create a sense of accomplishment, which boosts motivation.
- Incremental progress helps tackle larger projects with ease.
Example Goals:
- Write 500 words a day instead of aiming for a full chapter.
- Complete a short story in one week, rather than worrying about a long-form piece.
⊙ By consistently meeting smaller targets, you’ll find the bigger ones more manageable over time.
9. Participate in Writing Communities
Writing doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor. By joining a writing community, you can gain support, feedback, and inspiration from others who understand the creative process.
Many well-known writers, like Neil Gaiman, credit their success to the camaraderie and feedback they received from early writing groups.
Benefits of Communities:
- Receive feedback to improve your writing.
- Engage in discussions that can spark new ideas.
- Accountability helps you stay on track.
Popular Online Communities:
10. Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care
While it may sound counterintuitive, sometimes the best way to find inspiration is to step away from writing altogether. Burnout stifles creativity, so it’s important to practice self-care and give your brain time to rest.
Ways to Recharge:
- Go for a walk: Physical movement clears mental fog.
- Meditate: Relaxing your mind helps unlock creativity.
- Spend time with loved ones: Social interactions can refresh your mental state.
📖 A research by Stanford University has shown that walking increases creative output by an average of 60% compared to sitting.
Conclusion
Writer’s block may be a common struggle, but finding inspiration doesn’t have to be difficult. Creativity isn’t something that happens to you; it’s something you cultivate. By incorporating these ten strategies into your routine, you can consistently find new ideas, spark creativity, and enjoy the process of writing.
Remember: Patience and persistence are key. Over time, these practices will help inspiration come more naturally, turning writing into a fulfilling, regular part of your life.