Do you ever get stuck in your writing? Or have the feeling your life is too boring to inspire your creativity? I think we’ve all been there, but much like the dreaded writer’s block, I don’t think we should let these negative ideas get too comfortable sticking around. We all have our off moments, but what if we just told our lingering doubts about our words to piss off?
Shake Up Your Routine
One way to unstick yourself is to try to change up how you write. When I was an assistant teacher at a summer school for gifted kids, I remember a key concept we taught them was how to be “functionally unfixed.” In other words, don’t do something a certain way just because you’re “supposed to” We asked the kids what they ate for breakfast and they said things like pancakes, cereal, bacon, etc. and we asked if anyone had spaghetti or tacos, and they looked at us like we had each sprouted two heads. But is there any good reason you can’t have tacos for breakfast? (Sounds good to me!) When you sit down to write, do you usually use your laptop? Why not try a notebook and pen instead? Or maybe you need to try a new writing spot, like a cafe or a library or the roof of your house (how’s that for functionally unfixing your writing spot?!). A new element in an old routine is sure to spark something exciting in your work.
Be Nosy
Maybe you don’t find your life to be that interesting, but you know what is? Other people’s lives. I am a big fan of eavesdropping (sorry, not sorry). I have a running note on my phone where I’ve quickly typed up what I overhead someone say when I’m out and about. Once I was in line at Einstein Bagels and someone said, “I am allergic to tumbleweeds, of all things. So this time of year when they bloom or whatever it is they do, it’s bad.” It’s a little silly, but I could take a line like this and build an entire fictional character or scenario around it. It also helps me keep my ear sharp for what people really sound like when they talk.
Books & Scents
Another great way to jumpstart your creative brain is just before you sit down to write, pick up a book by someone you admire and read a few pages to get your brain thinking about what your idea of good writing is. I personally love to go back to the beginning of Janet Fitch’s gorgeous novel, White Oleander. To go a little deeper, try lighting a candle or using some aromatherapy as you do this. You could train your brain to kick into creative high gear with words and a scent. I think there really is something to this. In high school, I was on the swim team for a season, and after we had a good practice or a meet, the coach would have us each smell a little vial of cinnamon essential oil. Then, if we ever had to get ourselves in a winning mindset, he would have us smell it again to access that muscle memory. It sounds bananas, but scents can really inspire us! If you want to experiment with this, we actually have a new custom product in the shop: an aromatherapy gem essence mist called Be Here, Write Now™.
Whatever route you choose, the ones we’ve mentioned or something of your own devising, remember that you are in control of your ideas, and you can pursue them whatever way works best for you and your process. Happy writing!
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