Photo by Pixabay
Hi, SEers, it is John with you again. The last couple of times, I have talked through some of the emotional sides of writing. I did a post on burnout and one on motivation. If you missed them, you can go Here and Here. This time I would like to discuss another topic that can put writing on a side rail. I’m referring to the absence of a story idea.
I think we have all experienced the situation where we sit in front of our computer or notebook, have coffee or whatever is the habit of the day, and have plenty of uninterrupted time. What we don’t have is a clear idea of where we want our story to go. For the pansters, there may not even be a story. This is when most of us tell ourselves we have lost our muse.
The loss of a muse is the personification of the loss or perceived loss of a feeling of creativity. Whatever we call it, we know it to be that cold knot in the stomach, which leads us to believe we will never be able to create a story again. Right now, I have to interdict with the thought that never being able to create a story again is balderdash. Yes, you will create again. Yes, you can invent stories. Yes, this is temporary (Well, unless you decide to give up)
So, how in the heck can you restart creativity? It might be easier than you think. The simple answer is to restart creativity; one needs to do creative activities. Without getting into how the brain functions, it just makes sense. It is like making a muscle stronger by exercising it. Ever wonder why creative people tend to hang around other creative people? Creativity is a cycle enhanced through association with a creative environment. Okay, enough of the background. Here is a list that is not guaranteed to restart or improve creativity but could make a difference. If you think you are having a problem with creative endeavors (which we can label as a missing muse.), try one or more of these. You can make up your own as well.
1 Get some colored pencils and a coloring book and use them.
2 Get a number two pencil, paper, and mirror and try to do a self-portrait.
3 Write a new song. Not the music, just the lyrics. It can be to any tune you want.
4 Write a short story outside your regular genre. Who cares if it is good or not?
5 Use your cellphone to make a video that you also narrate.
6 Get some fruit together and draw it
7 Get some supplies and paint a fruit still life from your drawing
8 Buy an airplane, car, or craft kit and put it together
9 Watch a mindless action movie and take notes.
10 Tackle that painting project in one of the rooms
11 Plant some seeds
12 If you live in the North, shovel some snow. But pay attention to how you do it.
13 Get a copy of one of Gary Larsen’s Far Side books and read it.
14 Bake some cookies or a cake and then frost them
15 Put together a playlist of creative songs and play it.
I could go on, but the point is, the more you engage your mind in creative projects, the more your muse will want to get involved.
What do you think? Do you have any tips on restarting an idle creative engine? Let us know in the comment section.
Story Empire 
These are great. I have been wanting to jumpstart my creativity a little. Thanks, John!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Off you go and good luck
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: Sunshine — Review & Giveaway – Rosi Hollinbeck
Doodling cartoons often works for me. And looking at other people’s artwork – the weirder, the better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good one Annabelle. Art is always inspiring.
LikeLike
I have a number of colouring books. I love to colour. It’s almost meditative because all you think about is what colour to use how dark or light to make it and to not go outside of the lines. Helped keep me sane 6 years ago. How ironic I took one out two days ago…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I haven’t done any coloring, but it looks so relaxing when others describe it. I’m certainly glad you had something to help you. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Since I can’t draw myself out of a paper bag, this allows me to feel creative in an artistic way. And it is relaxingz for sure. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great ideas John. Coloring books are my go to 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should start doing the same.It does look relaxing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great list, John. I especially like the idea of taking notes while watching a show or movie and taking notes. But anything creative sounds wonderful. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana. You would be surprised what a notebook and pencil can generate while you are watching a movie. Those watching with you have to understand though. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve been meaning to do that. I usually play silly games on my phone, but this sounds more interesting (and productive!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
I definitely recommend it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Jeanne Owens, author.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on The Write Stuff and commented:
A day late, but still very much worth checking out, folks. Have the events of this year impacted your creativity? I know they’ve done a number on mine, as well as my health. (Stress is NOT our friend.) Head right on over to Story Empire and read John Howell’s post on jump-starting your creativity. You’ll be glad you did. And lucky me–I have an entire shelf of Gary Larsen’s Far Side books to help with mine. 😀 After you’ve enjoyed John’s suggestions, please remember to share the post far and wide, thanks. And thanks, John, for reminding us that our innate creativity is endlessly renewable! Great post! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent post, John. I was just thinking of The Far Side a couple of days ago. Loved that comic strip. Music often inspires me to write and sometimes listening to the words of a song inspires a story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you, Joan. Music does it for me. I also adore Far Side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just what I needed, John! 🎄 My new TO-SO-LIST… Happy Holidays, my friend! xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bette. Happy Holidys to yu as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have some good suggestions, John. I’m a big fan of the Far Side books:) I head out into nature when I get to this point. Then I write some poetry, if I’m able. It seems to jump start that creativity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the thing to do for sure. Thanks for sharing, Denise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good ideas, John. I like the central idea that being creative helps you be creative. It works with a lot of things. When I was stumped writing software, I would often work on some mindless little utility program. When members of my team were stumped, I’d give them a simple assignment, sometimes without telling them why.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you were a wise boss. Thanks for sharing, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, John! This is an awesome post. I agree with all these ways to kickstart creativity. I love the idea of baking a cake and taking the time to decorate it – I mean really decorate it and make it beautiful. During the process, who knows what story ideas will pop into your head. Maybe the character works in a bakery and has given up on life and love until….Well, you get the idea. Thank you for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even thinking about baking a cake gets the juices flowing as evidence by your comments. Thanks, Jan Write that one down. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, today. I took more of a long game approach because this happened to me. I keep a lot of notes. Those that seem to develop get a storyboard. It takes time, but I always have something I can work on these days. Writing two at once has really helped, too. If I feel stuck on one story I can switch to the other for a while.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are fortunate that you can do that. Your creativity seems to have no bounds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does, though. Little flakes of story sometimes come together or expand into something. That’s why I keep them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
Terrific ideas, John. With cases spiking in my area, my muse is being uncooperative. So, I wrote a fun short story to get the juices flowing again. I may even do a collection since my muse seems happy at the moment. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
There you go. Nothing wring with a collection of short stories. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to look at an empty page and try to come up with an idea. I have to give myself a few days to play with ideas for a story, and I try to give it a few specific things to work with. Right now, I want to write a Christmas short story, so I gave it the seasonal theme and what characters I want to use and let it noodle with them. But if I want something totally new and different, I play Sheherazade by Rimsky-Korzakov or some other music with no lyrics and try to think of a story that goes with the music. Sometimes, that helps. If all else fails, I empty my mind and take a long shower:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is proven that the Ion exchange that goes on in the shower helps with idea generation. Sheherazade by Rimsky-Korzakov is one of my favorites. I also listen to Mussorgsky / Ravel – Pictures at an Exhibition or Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky.
LikeLiked by 3 people
John, I can so relate to the idea of sitting down in front of the computer and having no idea of where my story needs to go. I was stalled for am embarrassingly long time on my current WIP. I love your list of creative ideas, and will add another–NaNoWriMo. It was the kick in the butt I needed to snap my creativity back into high gear. I also enjoy doing fiction prompts when I get stuck. The one thing not on my list? Shoveling snow, LOL! We had our first dusting of the year this morning. Summer can’t come soon enough!
LikeLiked by 3 people
The idea on the snow is to go out and make designs. I do hear you though. Not a favorite of mine either. Thanks, Mae. Yes, NaNoWriMo is a perfect place to get one’s creativity in gear. 😁
LikeLike
Jigsaw puzzles! That’s all I have to add.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You and Jill Weatherholt have the same idea. Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
I’m actively opposed to shoveling snow, as I’m looking out my window right now and wondering how long until I’m going to HAVE to do it. But I keep going back to bake a cake. Wonder why? lol
Great ideas, John.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I would pick cake too, Staci. I never did like shoveling snow either. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great ideas, John! Now, I just need to find time for those creative activities. Lol! 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
Aye,there is the rub. Thanks, Yvette.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are great suggestions, John. Writing short stories has always helped to ignite my creativity. Also, listening to music while working jigsaw puzzles has never failed. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Charles Yallowitz added the jigsaw puzzle one as well. I say whatever works. Thank you for sharing your method, Jill. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great ideas, John. When my muse goes silent, I shift gears and do mindless things. One of my best distractions is cleaning/organizing the garage. It’s amazing how chatty characters become. By the end of the day, I’ve finished chapters – in my imagination, and the garage is transformed! 😀
LikeLiked by 5 people
Sounds like a winner. The whole idea is to forget about the tension that comes from a blank page. Thanks for sharing.😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Those are some great ideas, John, especially seeing how they can be done without an audience in mind. That’ll allow me to truly tickle my creativity without the need to perform. I might just try one of these tips soon. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for the comment, Stuart. Yes, these are for the individual alone. No one else needs to be involved. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have recently come up with a winning idea… I create one or two characters, then let them do the work, as they usually have a far better idea of what they want to do. than me…
LikeLiked by 3 people
Terrific idea. Thanks for sharing that one. 😁
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great post, John. I love that picture of the car! Your suggestions are great ones. I have a list of muse-boosts in my book Creative Solutions, and one of the best ways I’ve found is to do timed writing on anything at all. The rule is no stopping and no thinking and no editing and you have to stop when your time’s up. And when you’re done … no judging! In the past, I’ve even used a game of Chess to get inspired.
You nailed it when you said that any creative activity will fire up more creativity. 🙂
Reblogged this on: https://harmonykent.co.uk/how-to-restart-stalled-creativity-the-easy-way/
LikeLiked by 5 people
Thank you for sharing your tip, Harmony It is a great way to stoke that furnace. Have a super day.😁Also thanks for sharing the post too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: How to Restart Stalled Creativity the Easy Way | Welcome to Harmony Kent Online