Monday, November 3, 2008

How To-17: "How to Get Inspired to Write"



How to Get Inspired to Write


from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Need to be inspired to write? Adopt a few of these practices to keep your mind actively searching for new inspiration.

Steps

  1. Carry a small notebook or tape recorder for sudden inspirations. Record your thoughts into more formal written work at a later time.
  2. Rest in an atmosphere of quiet or surround yourself with noise. Sit in a forest or stand on a busy street corner.
  3. Listen to a variety of music, such as jazz or folk music.
  4. See a movie and write a review based on the setting in time or an elicited emotion.
  5. Read a variety of literature and write a report of comparison.
  6. Write about a craft, such as pottery. Focus on its history or a particular aspect.
  7. Search the internet for a topic. To be a writer, you must love to read.
  8. Reference old material. Reread your first-grade story that describes how you lost a mitten.
  9. Freewrite. Choose a subject and write continuously for a set period of time; while disregarding spelling, punctuation or grammar.
  10. Expand a topic in several different directions; similar to adding different ingredients to a recipe.
  11. Create several solutions to a problem. Write three pages that focus on two solutions.
  12. Write convincing pros and cons about the same subject, such as a boyfriend.
  13. Play a game to stimulate your mind with strategy.
  14. Choose a word and quickly associate it with another. Example: yellow may lead to sunflower, then to summer, then to winter, then to snow, then to a day off from school, etc.
  15. Write in a journal. Focus on events or emotions throughout the day.
  16. Record an event or adventure in your life. Reflect upon your insights.
  17. Record emotion. Write with descriptive detail of anger, compassion or grief.
  18. Create a world of fantasy.
  19. Write about a passion in your life such as gardening or your children.
  20. Utilize writing as a means to escape.
  21. Write about a cause that is of interest, such as global warming.
  22. Record several aspects of a story on small pieces of paper. Mix them together. Choose a setting, characters and plot.
  23. Create a rough draft and return to it in a few days to allow for other ideas to surface.
  24. Sit and observe. Observe people without judgement, attempting to look into their past for character development.
  25. Listen to conversations for an idea. Imagine what occurred prior to overhearing a conversation or what will occur thereafter.
  26. Imagine a story about someone’s life based upon their appearance, attitude or the book they are reading.
  27. Describe a person’s actions while riding a bicycle or preparing a meal.
  28. Create a series of conversations between two characters. Conversation creates a story that is more realistic.
  29. Write descriptive detail about a main character, focusing on their thoughts that have been influenced by past experience.
  30. Write a description about an object, such as a family heirloom.
  31. Remain open-minded. Give yourself a set period of time to devote to a subject before considering a new idea.
  32. Walk in a park. Your mind may be more creative and free to associate in times of leisure or while occupied with other activities.

Tips

Review brainstorming techniques.

Warnings

. Repetitive writing or typing may lead to a stress injury.

Related wikiHows

. How to Freewrite
. How to Brainstorm
. How to Write a Script
. How to Write Non Fiction

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get Inspired to Write. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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