The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#3

It's that time, once again, the monthly post for the IWSG hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh.

                                                                               

I think that a universal writerly concern is –  how do we remain inspired? What happens when a writer hits a "dry patch" and inspiration is at an all-time low? Quite often, we do not make full use of our senses, as a source of inspiration for writing. We fail to notice the things around us, that could get those creative juices flowing and get us into the swing of things.

I've decided that, every week (as far as possible), I'm going to try out a new/different activity, in my quest to inspire & sustain creativity. It may be a brand new experience, or a new/different approach to an existing experience.

I don't know all the finer details yet. I'll work it out as I go along. It could involve small-scale or big-scale experiences/activities/challenges, from something as simple as, driving a different route to work/home; to the more complex such as, taking an art class… Last week Wednesday, I signed up for a haiku challenge… I had a blast and participated again today.

We'll see…

I'm busy with a list at the moment. Can you suggest any activities/challenges that have worked well for you?

14 Comments

  1. Stephen Tremp on February 1, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    I take walks and mix it up by going different routes. Works for me really well. Different times of the day too. I feel refreshed and my brain is all off the place with ideas. Great way to release all the junk too!

  2. Rek on February 1, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    I can't say much except that my muse had abondonded ship for now…maybe I aught to change my schedulehence taking a blog break…I tried to post earlier but its geting cancelled.

  3. Jessica Salyer on February 1, 2012 at 7:27 pm

    Good for you. It takes a lot of courage to step out of the box and try new things. I think it's a great idea. You'll have to let me know the things you come up with. I often find inspiration in songs or random thoughts; then I write then down in my notebook for later.

  4. Alex J. Cavanaugh on February 2, 2012 at 12:52 am

    I'm a guitar player and I've often found an hour of practice clears my mind of the junk and helps me to focus.

  5. sheilascribbles on February 2, 2012 at 1:42 am

    Today in our writers group I offered two prompts, gave them 2 minutes to choose, then set the timer for 15 minutes and we all wrote as much as we could. Then we read our writings aloud and it was very inspiring to hear everyone's take on the same prompt!

  6. Ciara Knight on February 2, 2012 at 1:54 am

    I tend to drive or walk. Both foster my imagination. 🙂

  7. mish on February 2, 2012 at 8:02 am

    @Stephen ~ Walking sounds like a plan… and it's good for physical & mental stimulation… so it's a double-whammy…

    @Rek ~ Maybe a blogging break is just what you need… I took a break over the festive season but then found it sooooo difficult to get back into writing mode…

    @Jessica ~ I'm slightly apprehensive… not sure what results these activities are going to yield…  but hey, a person's got to get out of the comfort zone in order to progress…

    @Alex ~ I play piano & sing… music is always the number one choice for inspiration…

    @SheilaScribbles ~ I've discovered that the free-writing exercises do help to get ideas moving…

    @Ciara ~ I can do the driving thinggie, but walking… I'll have to try it sometime… see if it fosters my imagination…

    • Linda on February 2, 2012 at 5:51 pm

      Hi! Thanks for visiting my blog  and following 🙂
      I'm in a bit of a dry place creatively at the moment (seems to be hormone-related, oh joy – how many years will that go on for…?) but I usually jot down random lines of dialogue as they come into my head and see if I can use them as a first line.  Also, photographs and talking to people about their childhood is a good one!
      Nice to meet you!

      • Joanne on February 2, 2012 at 11:19 pm

        Thanks for your comment on my blog. I only just found it today in my spam folder – have no idea how it got there. Anyway, all fixed now!
        I usually go for walks and use my senses – smell, hear, see, touch, even taste. Sometimes I forget to apply the senses to my writing and I find this is a good way to recharge them. I also play the piano.
        Cool post!

  8. Cheryl Stahle on February 3, 2012 at 12:48 am

    What a great idea to challenge yourself and mix it up….try something visual such as sketch a map of your childhood neighborhood.  Add in all sorts of details and watch the stories bubble forward.  Have fun

  9. Patsy Collins on February 3, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    You're absolutely right – getting out and doing stuff and noticing what's around us is a great way to find inspiration.

  10. The Golden Eagle on February 4, 2012 at 12:38 am

    I find that working on crafts can help with creativity. I'm a big fan of knitting/crocheting/crewel and other stuff like that. 🙂

  11. Sarah Pearson on February 4, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    What an excellent idea. I'd love to see what you come up. I'm also nabbing a couple of the suggestions in the comments 🙂

    • mish on February 4, 2012 at 4:38 pm

      @Linda ~ I really like the idea of jotting down random lines of dialogue… mmm, gonna add it to my list 🙂

      @Joanne ~ Walking seems to be a popular activity… it seems to work for lots of bloggers/writers…

      @Cheryl ~ Sketch? Never thought about this before… really interesting idea, and fun too… though my drawing abilities are questionable…

      @Patsy ~ Yep, gotta get those senses working…

      @Golden Eagle ~ How cool, I also crochet:) though I have to admit I've neglected it over the years… 🙁

      @Sarah ~ It's really interesting to read the variety of ideas that foster inspiration… 🙂 I hope you have a blast trying out some of the new ideas/activities…

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