Finding Things of Interest

I find that when I listen to those around me or simply pay attention to my own day, I find a lot that interests me.  For example, my husband is really interested in cars.  When we go for a walk or drive, he invariably points out the different car makes to me, tells me a little bit about the cars’ histories and performance.  I am interested in the environment.  Put the two together and you have several articles I wrote for Triond.

Take the other day.  We were returning from our walk and our pug stepped into some dog poo.  I was cleaning the bath tub with toothpaste (as I normally do) when it occurred to me that maybe other people might be interested in these cleaning methods.  So I wrote up a short piece about them.

I showed the piece to my husband who thought it wasn’t bad but pointed out that he was always interested in why people do stuff more than in what they actually do.  So I did a little research and wrote a follow-up piece on how we came to use chemicals for cleaning.

In all those cases, I forgot to think about the fact that I was writing and just—wrote.  But there is another thing all these essays have in common: they’re written for a specific someone.

Specificity

I guess it helps me to think of someone reading my essays when I write them.  In my case that “someone” is usually my husband.  So I try to write something that I think he might be interested in.  That helps me keep my writing focused—and (relatively) free of “overwriting”.  It also forces me to think outside my own skin, to imagine what might appeal to other people.  And select from the plethora of facts available to me only those that I think might appeal to my audience.

So I am writing about American industry after World War II.   There is a lot to say about it.  But what my husband find interesting?  How do I convey the interesting parts in such a way that my husband likes?  That makes me select the details my reader might find interesting and leave the ones he won’t out.  It helps me write to the point.

Write Often

And of course it helps to write a lot.  The old adage practice makes perfect doesn’t quite apply to writing (at least not my writing) but practice, I have found does make it easier—both to write and to accept those times when I need to walk away from my pad of paper or screen and see if I can find something so interesting that I could forget about writing.

1. Helpful People, Have you ever noticed how annoying some people are when they are trying to be helpful but really know nothing about the topic at all!
2. 1-800 numbers, How annoying do we all find when 1-800 calls come mostly at suppertime? I mean we all hate 1-800 calls because they are trying to sell us things we don't need or want and are insistent we buy it! There is a lot to talk about with 1-800!
3. Environment, This is always a hot topic and gets top views if you know what to write about! Ways to save the environment are things people WANT to know! That cute little bird that is going extinct needs to be saved!People have a soft spot and are LOOKING for articles about saving the environment you just need to know about it!
4. Cell Phones, Cell phones are a god send but at the same time are a negative! Which do you think? Are they harmful to social development of teenagers? Perhaps they are simply a new way to communicate and keep kids in touch with parents?
5. Halloween, I suppose this is a classic! Considering it is hallows eve! Give us a list of the best costumes ever! Perhaps some of the best pranks or candies you've ever seen! Tell us a story or spooky poem!
6. Charity, We all have a favorite charity, we all donate to something! However there are some off the wall charities or some schemes you may know of gives us the 411 about a charity you know about!
7. Dogs, We all love dogs, haha, at least most of us anyway! It is a popular topic that gets a lot of views although most of it has been done before on Triond or elsewhere already!
8. Cooking, I read an article the other day about a way to cook eggs and I tried it! It was delicious! I would love to see some more yummy recipes!
9. Cars, I have read a couple auto repair articles they are rare but seem helpful! Thankfully I haven't had to use them yet but I am that much more prepared! Keep 'em coming!
10. Elections, Hot topic, what else is there to say! Never has a country paid so much attention to a He said She said argument since Rachel and Monica went at it on Friends!
    

So you've woken up in the morning, had your coffee and it's time to write. You go over to your computer, or writing pad and sit down to write. You open up to a fresh, blank sheet of paper and then nothing. Nada. Absolute failure. You can't even start, let alone write anything good.

Problem number one - you want to write.

Problem number two - you should be compelled to write. You probably have a deadline or a target, or you'll feel bad if you don't even begin. What you shouldn't do is give up and stop, certainly don't give way to procrastination or you'll find a couple of days worth of ways to entertain yourself that will in the end lead to a worse situation.

Each person is different, so not everybody experiences writer's block for the same reason, but the solutions are most often the same. Specifically it's starting that causes the most issues. The ideas just won't come, the sentences come out terrible and the frustration just makes you want to go to work on smashing things. Don't worry, you aren't alone. Nearly everybody suffers from the dreadful affliction of writer's block, not everybody recognises it.

The easiest thing to do on Earth is not write  -William Goldman

It might be the easiest thing to do, but it isn't the best. Sometimes all we need is a break from writing. We've been writing for a week solid, dawn till dusk and frankly we are exhausted. In this case we should leave the house and do something. This something will relax us, maybe it will stir us up into a writing machine whereby we defeat that writers block without even realising it. When our minds are fresh, we write best.

So getting started. Sometimes all you can do to break writers block is to write, something random if need be. It doesn't have to be perfect or original. You can borrow a sentence from anywhere, nobody will mind. Take that sentence and write something from it. Create anything - don't linger over that misplaced comma or that spelling mistake. Infact make sure you let your computer know that you don't want squiggly red and green lines all over the place. You'll check it later thank you very much.

The secret to getting started is to stop worrying. Break that large task into something more manageable. You want to write a novel plan it, stop thinking about the whole thing as a word count, and concentrate by chapter or paragraph. One thing at a time. Word count doesn't matter, you want to write a story then write it. Worry about length later on. You'll probably surprise yourself and write a lot, and you'll need to cut down on that stuff you don't need.

Sometimes it's the idea that puts a halt to writing. You've got none, and you're struggling to come up with one. Because of this you can't write. If that's the problem the first thing to do is make sure you carry a notebook everywhere with you. Lots of writers do this because in experience ideas pop up at the most unexpected (normally inconvenient) times possible and you've no paper to jot it down. Don't rely on memory to remember that idea, be prepared. It's almost a rule that if you can't write it down you'll have that flash of inspiration.

If you have the idea, and you've stopped half way through, it's probably because of something else. Unless you're trying to put in something that just doesn't fit. One of the best ways to overcome block if this happens and you're lacking of inspiration is to read what you've already got, maybe tidy it up. We unconsciously add things in that might help us in the future. Look over that plot if you have one, or ask yourself - what would my character do? What would *name here* want me to write? What is the subject? Things like that.

Another cause of writer's block is being unimpressed with what we write. I've said this up above several times, don't worry about your work being  bad, you can make it better later. Practice makes perfect and it is much more important to finish what you've started than worry about grammar or a slightly ill written sentence. If you try to keep everything good and perfect at the beginning you'll get agitated and spend too long over the beginning stuff. You'll probably give up because things still aren't going right and you should have finished ages ago. Even published authors hate what they write sometimes, but they only way they will finish their books is if they come back later. There is nothing like being unconfident to hinder that imaginative streak or still your hand.

Okay so it isn't the beginning and it isn't the idea (or maybe it is.) We've covered some of the major issues for writers so let's move onto how other writers tackle it and methods you might find useful yourself.

Finding Inspiration

Take a walk, read other people's writing or look at art work. Find something that stirs an emotion in you and use it to push forward that writing.

Writing Challenges

Find a challenge, whether this is a long one like NaNoWriMo, or a small one such as a word prompt or a new style of writing. Find an old dare on NaNoWriMo or find an object and write something around that. Join a writing site and integrate with people who are having problems like yourself.

Physical Exercise

Bike around town, or do something physical. This can stimulate ideas and get the brain and body working. It isn't everybodies cup of tea but for some people it stirs one into activity.

Listen to Music

Yes music. It doesn't matter what sort, as long as it pumps you up to write. Alternatively use it to set the mood of that piece. Sad music usually brings on writing that gives the essence of sadness.

What is every writer's worst fear. The fear that they won't be able to write anymore. We have all gone through it at one time or another. The true terror is that it will never come back again, but never fear. A writer writes always. There are some things we can do to get the creative juices flowing. Here's a few things I have tried.

Taking a walk can always help, but don't take your regular route. Take a detour. You just may see something that you've never seen before. Be observant. Soak in the atmosphere. It may be a busy street with lots of activity, like cars going by and honking their horns, people shouting at the top of their lungs, or perhaps a quiet residential street. Take it all in with all five senses, then return home and write down everything you saw. Everything from the sound of the wind blowing, faint sounds in the distant. Did you notice a house with paint pealing? Was there a crack in the sidewalk? What did it look like? Was there children playing out in the yard? What kind of games were they playing? Was there a barking dog? How was the weather? Was it clear and sunny, or was it starting to rain. Write down everything you remember.

If this doesn't work, try a word game. I've done this at time. Cut out small strips of paper about twenty in all. On each strip write a word, any random word. Put all your strips into a small paper bag and hake it up. Take out five strips and write a paragraph or two using those five words. Don't expect a master piece to come out, but it is just a simple exercise to get the creative juices flowing.

Sometimes a good distraction can help. Get away from it for a while. Call a friend, go out to eat, go shopping. Usually when we are not thinking about it that when the answer hits us. The brilliance is back,and we start wring like mad again. It always seems when you least expect it that part of the story that you have been stuck on becomes clear, and even if it isn't what you originally intended, just keep writing. We never know what will come out until it does.

Just remember, writer's block is not the end of the world. It will happen many times, but don't freak out when it does. Take a deep breath and clear your mind. Even if what you write is not prefect, and you feel like it's not going anywhere, don't worry. Writing is a journey, and on every journey there are pitfalls. Sometimes those bad ideas can lead to the more brilliant ones, so whatever you do just keep writing. Keep this is mind and the nightmare that in writer's block will just become a passing bad dream soon forgotten.

You sit and stare at your paper, typewriter, or computer for maybe even hours until you finally give up and eat dinner or take the trash out. But, you just can't get over the fact that nothing's coming to you - you have no idea how to make Carol suddenly mad at Bob, or how to kill John. What do you do??

This has happened to me countless of times and here are what I think are the ten best ways of destroying Writer's Block!

(This is in no specific order, as everyone is different and may find one way to be better than another person might)

1. Take a shower : it soothes your body and you'll less likely feel pressured to think so hard - this way the ideas will come much easier and less forced. (This also helps when you're having a rough day, the steam and water will relax you)
2. Write on paper instead of typing : (if you usually type). Strangely, it helps a lot! I do this whenever I have Writer's Block and it's a lot of help.
3. Read : if you take a break to read a few chapters of a book, chances are you'll be inspired and think up some ideas for your own novel or short story.
4. Write in crayon : Many of my writing friends say that this helps them out a great deal, I don't konw if it's because of the vibrant colors or the feeling of being a little kid again, but I've found it to be very helpful.
5. Just keep chugging along : Even if it hurts, sometimes you just gotta keep writing until something is produced. Even if whatever you write makes absolutely no sense or is just plain stupid, keep going until you beat that Writer's Block. Then, go back later and edit the nonsense.
6. Write something else : Try writing a journal entry or a few sentences of a short story. It'll get your mind off of the block and when you're ready you'll be able to beat the block.
7. Take a break : Sometimes the writing section of your brain just gets exhausted and just completely shuts down. Try taking a break for as long as you need: an hour, a day, a week. Just try not to take a break for too long or that's just not good.
8. Look at pictures : Whenever I get stuck, I go to Google Images and look up pictures that might inspire me. Say I'm writing a fantasy novel and I look up “fairy” and I find a picture of a beautiful fairy sitting on a rock by a stream and an enormous tree, just by looking at this picture I feel like writing about it.
9. Listen to music : It's a great source of inspiration - especially when the lyrics have a lot of meaning to them. If you listen to the right tone of music it can really help you get a feeling of the emotion in your writing: for example if you're writing about a fight scene, I'd suggest listening to music that sounds angry and is choppy and fierce. Also, you don't have to listen to music with lyrics, whatever helps best.
10. Don't edit : A lot of times, I don't feel like writing because I know that I'll constantly have to go back and fix a sentence. So, instead, try to just let the words fly - don't worry about spelling and punctuation errors. Don't let yourself edit, force yourself to keep moving forward.

Hopefully this helped you and I wish you many ideas and a great writing career!

Jot down notes. Keep everything as organized as possible, unless your just naturally a disorganized person who always knows where his/her stuff is. After that, try to think of how you can copy the notes onto paper without making them sound jumbled around with no distinct order.

Try to find interesting topics to write about that people will enjoy. Finding bizarre topics makes your article really stand out. The "Hot Tags" will help you somewhat with that. Also try looking at the "Hot Content" to help you get ideas of what kind of articles people like to read. Most importantly, never give up. For example, half way through this article I had a writers block. I stopped writing and came back to it later. Now I'm finished with it and happily editing the final result.

Topics are critical for writers. Many times we writers will experience a temporary yet agonizing span of time when we can't think of anything to write. Here are some suggestions which I have found helpful in my time as a freelance writer and teacher of writing:

1. Keep a notebook where you can write down topics.

   Also on your computer add a topic page to your word document and easily add ideas as they arise.

2. List your interests, list what you do well and list things you know well.

   We all have an area of expertise in something that we can share with others.

3. Get away from your writing for a while.

   Take a break to clear your head. Sometimes a few hours away can make the difference. A simple variation of activity can take your mind away from the pressure of needing another topic.

4. Writing is a mental, yet sedentary activity, so get physical.

   Go to the gym or take a walk. You will alleviate the pressures of writer's block just by moving.

5. Be a people watcher and a good listener.

   Watching and listening to others can give us ideas about writing topics. We are not islands, even though we work in solitaire.

6. Quotes are always a great beginning.

   They can be inspirational and really set off your piece. Quotes can pull together what you are writing about.

7. Write a review of a movie, a book, a cultural event or a new product.

   Others may not agree with your praise or criticism, but they will appreciate your honesty.

8. Write on a completely different genre.

   For example you might write about serious topics for a few articles, but then change the pace and write something humorous. Changing the pace will keep your pieces fresh. So mix it up.

9. Be a reader.

   Read what others are writing and make connections for future topics. Read books, articles, magazines, newspapers and pieces online.

10. Write your opinion about something.

    Be controversial.

11. Write about current events.

    What are the headlines and top stories?

12. Check Yahoo!Buzz for current hot search items.

    Do a “quick write” to that hot topic while it is buzzing.

13. Listen to your favorite music or use the television as background noise.

    Music or some kind of background noise can be stimulating for our brains. Music helps creativity as well.

14. Go to an art or photography museum.

    What stories do you see in the pictures? I find paintings and photographs serve as a catalyst for my writing. I see ideas and I see stories.

15. Write about a problem and how you solved it.

    Even if you have not solved it, just share your experience.

16. Write about a birthday, a holiday.

    Try to conjure up the smells, tastes, sights and sounds of that special day

17. Who or what inspires you?

    Who or what repulses you? What are you passionate about?

18. Write non-fiction.

    Research well what you wish to write about. Download pictures to highlight your non-fiction pieces also.

19. Conjure up a childhood memory.

    Write about it.

20. Meditate, pray, do yoga.

    Clear your mind of everyday complications and distractions.

21. Take a 20 minute nap.

    Research has shown that just a 20 minute snooze can be invigorating.

22. Watch nature.

    Take a hike or observe nature in your own backyard.

You can leave home for a few hours or a month. You can travel down the block or around the world. Whatever you do, writing topics are always available, infinite and everywhere. So bid adieu to writer's block and see every minute of each wonderful new day as a potential writing topic!

1. Brainstorming

   Sit down with some friends and talk a little bit about your work. They might come out with ideas that would help your work. They might also give you some irrelevant ideas, yet those ideas might open some doors for you.

2. “People” Watching

   Some people go bird watching. Writers go “people” watching. Go to a public place, a park, or a café, watch people's behaviors around you. Imagine the story behind their gloomy or happy faces. If two people are sitting beside you, try to imagine what they are telling each other. What they are thinking about at the moment. Take notes, these notes might help the process of writing.

3. Reading

   Read classics, modern novels, poems, scripts, or anything that might present some new ideas for you. A part of a dialogue here, an article there, all those things might, also, help you in a way. Just read Works related to yours.
   

4. Writing Exercises

   One of the writing exercises I found online is to write. Write anything and everything that comes on your mind. Don't pay attention to punctuation or any mistakes you make. Just write. Writing at first would be hard, it then would be like a second nature, and words would come floating through your brain cells.

5. Art Museums

   Check out the Art Museums around you. Or even search the internet for works of arts. A small thing in the picture might help you with new ideas. Lots of great poets and writers wrote great works inspired by just a picture on a wall. A great example was W H Auden in his poem “Musee des Beaux Arts”.

6. Something Old

   Check your old unfinished works, if you still have some unfinished. They would trigger something in your brain, they would either make you complete them, or their might be some useful ideas in them that you can blend to your recent work. Either way, you wouldn't be suffering from a writer's block.

1. The dictionary trick

   Shut your eyes and hold a dictionary out in front of you. Let it fall open and without opening your eyes point at a place on the page. Write down the word on which your finger has fallen. Repeat this practice four times. Make a story out of these five words.

2. Use your Memory

   OK, so not all of us have exciting or miserable pasts to which we can refer in our writing. However, a simple memory from your youth can spark an imagined story. Remember your first trip to the dentist? How did you react/ Did your mum have to bribe you to go? What happened afterwards? Can this story be linked with anything else from your past? Can you develop it to make it more interesting?

3. Use the News

   Read the newspaper or a magazine. Pick out an article that has interested / excited you. What has made it so interesting / exciting? Why not invent a new news story to report in the same style as the article. Can this be developed into a full-length story?

4. What is your favourite novel/poem?

   Find the last line and use that to begin your story.

5. Use Search Engines

   Google your ancestors or if you’re unlike and are called Smith (like me!) google someone else’s ancestors. Any interesting stories come up?

6. Rewrite the ending of your favourite book

   Once you’ve finished, rewrite the beginning using the ending as a base.

7. What was the worst gift you ever received?

   Write about why. How did it make you feel? Do you regret your actions? Develop this.
8. Write about 5 imagined people sitting at a bus stop with you. What do they look like? Which bus are they waiting for? Why? Are they similar or different? What would bring them together?

9. Think about nursery rhymes

   Rewrite Little Miss Muffet from the point of view of the spider (for example.)

10. What do you believe in strongly?

    (eg. Anti-abortion, pro-capital punishment, ant-Iraq war) Now write from the point of view of someone who feels exactly the opposite as you.