“Hi North, I read your post the other day about writers block and I have found myself stuck inside, which normally isn’t a problem because I create music in my spare time. I can spend all day creating a piece of music, but normally I am home alone. Now my family is home all the time and I have driven them nuts with my music. I use the music that I create to embed into my eBooks that I write. Now I am without my inspiration. What should I do? Thanks, Mark”
“Hey North, I found your site through your writer’s block post and I was wondering if you had some advice about what to do when you can’t go out and ‘find inspiration.’ Due to recent events, I am not allowed outside, but my heart is in photography. It is my inspiration for writing. What should I do? Thank you, Gabby”
Hello everyone! I have been getting some comments lately asking about what to do when you cannot go out and find your inspiration. Due to the recent pandemic most of you are stuck inside and cannot go out. To help you I have a list of things you can try and I have created some inspirational videos.
Some writers can be inspired by music and pictures, which is what I have created and posted at the end of this post. In addition, I have compiled a list of things for to try:
1. Writing Prompts
These are a great way to get inspiration for writing. You can find these just about anywhere if you search for “writing prompts” in your search engine. Here are a few that I have created:
- Your character is walking through a dark forest on Halloween. They are dressed in their favorite costume. How did they get there? Well, it all started at school when…
- Your character is sitting in a classroom taking a test when they get a text from a friend, “Hey, do you feel like using your powers? I am stuck in the principals office.” Your character texts back, “You know that’s it is dangerous to use my powers. My watcher says that I can overuse my powers if I am not careful.” Your friend’s response says, “Just one more time? Please? I am going to be sent to detention if you don’t.” What is your character’s next response? What trouble will they get into? What super power does your character have?
- You’re standing on the side of a road in the middle of a deciduous forest. The sun has almost set and the forest around you is getting darker. “Where am I?” Your character asks. “How did I get here?” Suddenly there is a noise coming from the woods, it sounds large. What does your character do? What is the creature/animal?
- Your character is sitting in their classroom when the lights go out. Suddenly, the TV in the corner of the room turns on. What is playing on the TV? Why is this happening?
Want More? Check these sites out!
2. Reading New Books
Reading is a great way to get ideas. You can also learn to perfect your writing style while reading. Here is a list of new books to try:
Ghost Stories:
- The Ghost of Fossil Glen by Cynthia DeFelice
- All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hahn
- Deep Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
- The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn
- Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
Non-Fiction:
- An Album of Memories: Personal Histories from the Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
- Cause of Death: A Writer’s Guide to Death, Murder, and Forensic Medicine by Keith D. Wilson, M.D.
- Scene of the Crime: A Writer’s Guide to Crime-Scene Investigations by Anne Wingate, Ph.D.
- The Writer’s Guide to Everyday Life from Prohibition through World War II by Marc McCutcheon
- Walt Whitman Speaks by Brenda Wineapple
Other Fiction:
- Booked 4 Murder by J. C. Eaton (This is book one in the series)
- The Thin Woman by Dorothy Cannell
3. Watch Movies
Watching movies, especially older ones, is a great way to get ideas for writing and inspire you to create your own. Check out these movies:
Videos for Inspiration
Let the music and the pictures envelop you. Don’t try to make sense of the images. Let the imagery and the music make you feel. Let the video inspire you. For the best sound quality wear headphones!
