Get Inspired!

Hello Everybody! I don't know about you, but I am tickled that it is finally March. I am ready for spring and some warmer weather. My hands are itching to get started in my garden.

Spring usually inspires me. I write about flowers, growth, love... it seems to be a very creative time for most of us. But what happens when you sit down to write and nothing happens? I don't like to use the term 'Writers Block' because that implies it can't be gotten around. I prefer to think of it as a 'Writers Blank'. You have the ideas, but when you get ready to put it to words, nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Believe me, this happens to everyone, with no exceptions. You are not alone.

So, how do you handle 'Writers Blank'? I know that when my life is hectic it is almost impossible for me to write anything. Therefore, one of the things that I do is make writing a routine. When I get ready to write, I make a pot of coffee. I drink it from the same cup every day. I shut the door and put on some music, then I start writing. But what happens if the routine fails you and you still have nothing? Glad you asked.

Enter a contest! This is one of the easiest ways to get those creative juices flowing. It doesn't matter if you have just written a master piece or just a pile. The point is to get back into writing again.

Read! You can't be a good writer if you don't have the basic tools and one of those is reading. Find something that interests you and just enjoy. It reduces stress, opens the mind, which will help you when you sit down to write.

Review! Believe it or not, reviewing your fellow writers is a great way to get back into the swing of writing. I'm not talking about a review that consists of 'Great Story!' I'm talking about a good length review with some details in it. By helping them we are helping ourselves.

Hash out some story ideas with a friend! Nothing gets my mind going than talking about story ideas with someone. No one to talk too? Simple. Get a recorder and tape your ideas. Or write them down. This works well at night when you have a dream that you want to remember.

What it all boils down to is this: Writing takes practice. Make it a routine, even when the words are hard to come by. Before long the blank will be gone and you will be writing up a storm. Or a pretty spring day.