Some days it seems like ideas for writing just flow through your fingers and onto paper. But then along comes the dark days when nothing you write seems to be right and there seems to be no new ideas. Writer’s block is seen as a condition where creativity is blocked, frustration and irritation tends to set in. Writer’s block occurs when the writer wants to write but can’t seem to find the right ideas and words. Some writers suffer from writer’s block after having a story or book rejected or criticized. I have read that even well known authors suffer from writer’s block at times. What can a writer do to help get back on track and beat writer’s block? I know from experience that getting rejected or not being able to make money by writing that many of us including myself, tend to get discouraged and put our writing on the back burner to pursue other avenues. Certainly not the right thing to do, but it happens. So how do we get back on track and beat writer’s block?
Stories Are Out There Waiting for Us to Write
You have probably already heard the great advice, that says you should write about what you know. This may be very true, but writer’s generally write about just about anything. Whatever their passion is they will write about it. Some writers write books while others are content to write short stories, poetry or articles. What is your passion? Write about that.
- Romance: My favorite and a big seller
- Family
- Your own personal stories
- Science Fiction if you have a great imagination
- Social Issues: Writing about something you feel strongly about can change our world
- Sports are a big part of our lives and so much to write about
- Politics are exciting to write about and can influence other people’s opinions
- News is always happening around us every day. In our own communities and around the world
- Science and history: I personally love history and always have so this is my niche. Science not so much for me.
- News articles about current events
Stories are everywhere just waiting for the right writer to put the words down on paper. That writer could be you.
Romantic Stories Ideas
Love stories are very popular. Who doesn’t love a good love story with a happy ending or maybe a not so happy ending because not all love stories have happy endings.
- Love stories are all around us. Ask some older couples who have been married a long time how they met and they will be happy to give you a great story
- Or how about a man or a woman who travels back in time torn between two loves
- Another great story idea is two people in love with each other but live miles apart but can’t seem to find a solution to be together
- How about a story on celebrities couples who have survived a long turbulent relationship
- Tell your own love story good or bad
History is Full of Great Stories
- Write fiction stories based on historical events and people
- Write nonfiction on real characters and events
- Write your family history. Did a family member serve in one of the wars? I just recently started searching my family history and found several interesting relatives that with some imagination should make for interesting stories
- Veterans are a great source of information and stories of their experiences serving our country
- I often research old newspapers for some ideas about people and events that may make interesting fiction. Just be sure to change names and other identifying personal facts unless you have the written permission of the parties involved.
Ideas Right in Your Own Backyard
- Gather some odd or old items like old pictures, jewelry, clothing, games or old letters and create a story combing all those items.
- Look out your window to see what the neighbors are doing (be nosy)
- Take a walk through a park and watch people and make up stories about how those people are related and what they are doing. What’s the story of the older couple sitting on the park bench? Go talk to them.
- Has someone in your life inspired you to become a writer? Write about who that was and how they influenced your writing.
- Talk with some disabled people and write about how their disability affects their lives and their family’s lives. Maybe volunteer to help someone who is disabled.
- Invite the neighbors for a cookout and just sit back and listen to some of the stories which you will hear.
- Imagine that you have inherited an old house that is filled with old documents and personal papers.
- Imagine that you find something that affects your life. Or maybe you find old stocks and bonds that are worth a fortune. What will you do with all that money
Your Own Personal Life
While I feel that my life has been way too boring to write much about there have been some tough times and decisions, I have had to make that I am currently writing about. For example, years ago I wrote an article about going through a divorce and how it affected me and how I worried about how my children were going to affected by the divorce. I just now while writing this have come up with a brainstorm. Now years later, I am going to write about just how it did affect my three sons and their lives.
These are just a few ideas and tips to break the writer’s block we all experience at times. But what’s really important is that we get started and don’t stop writing. And the most important advice is to never give up, never quit writing.
What Works for Me
have recently found some new ways to get creative. First, I joined some writing groups on Facebook and found some new ideas.
One thing I do is look for some ordinary pictures such as a boat washed up on the beach. Then I start describing the area around the boat. Some people are standing in the background, so I make up names and personalities for them. I image these people coming out for a family holiday out on the boat and picnicking on the beach. After a while my story starts to develop. Who are these people, how are they related, what are they doing at the beach? Are they a family or just a group of friends.
Another thing I am doing is to read the obituaries of any newspaper and make a story of that person’s life. I don’t use the names of course. But I can tell a story by their age, marriage or marriages, children, grandchildren. If they were in a branch of the service, or what organizations they belonged to such as churches, or if they were a teacher. Again, a story begins to develop as you write. In other words, I model my characters after these people.
I also love watching movies and documentaries which don’t always answer my questions so I begin doing research on my own and the next thing I know a story evolves. I change the names and make it a work of fiction.
These are a few of my ways of beating writers block and they work for me. I hope they may help others to do the same.
Best Tips to Beat Writing Block
- Have fun and experiment with new things and ideas
- Keep learning and researching.
- Go exploring in your local area or travel if you can afford to do that.
- Read anything and everything.
- Research through old newspapers (Library of Congress) is a great source.
- Local newspaper may also provide some inspiration.
- Get started writing every day and new ideas will start to form.
- Schedule writing time just like a regular job. Even just sitting down and writing whatever comes to mind. Write those ideas down for future references.
- Carry a small notebook with you and jot down things you observe that may make a good story or article later.
- Write about anything that interests you. Don’t limit yourself. Write about times you were happy or had a terrible experience or a life changing experience.
Putting it All Together
In conclusion, most every writer experience writer’s block from time to time. I know I do. I also know that we must all hold ourselves responsible and keep writing even when it’s difficult. Writing is not always easy, but we must not give into the temptation to just throw in the towel. If writing were easy everyone would be doing it. If writing is your passion, then you will keep those fingers flowing over the keyboard and the words filling the pages.
Copyright Linda Hosler April 30, 2023
History Lovers Corner 