Stimulate Writing Creativity
Use Keywords and Titles to Overcome Writers Block
Regain inspiration by focussing on a new writing challenge.
So you have decided you want to write, you have managed to clear a couple of free hours in your busy schedule, the house is empty for once but the moment you sit in front of the pc, the curser flashing on a blank word document, your mind goes numb. It’s the moment all writers dread, the ultimate creative frustration, the dreaded writers block. But stop, it’s not the end of the world as there are many ways to overcome this creative affliction.
It is worth considering that the vision of the story may not be completely clear. Perhaps the outline of the story is there, but the focus is a little muddled. Maybe it’s the beginning, middle or ending which has not developed or the characters have not fully formed and come to life yet? In this scenario, it can become difficult to start or even continue with the writing process. Sometimes, the mind can be so overwhelmed with day to day worries and concerns, that it has dampened the creative process completely. This can be a more difficult situation to overcome as it takes great determination to be able to switch off from everyday problems and be able to focus fully on a writing project. Nagging thoughts can constantly interrupt the flow of words.
One suggestion is to use key words or sentences when struggling to start writing for the day. If it is a new writing project and you are sick of staring at that blank screen, all you need to do is think of something which will kick-start the creative process. Think of key words, song titles, book titles or even write your own story title:
Key Words:
Love, Betrayal, Union, Secret, Assignation, Roses, Death, Birth, Life, Children, Love Letters etc
Song Titles:
Black Friday
Lazy Moon
Long Dark Road
Black Coffee
Book Titles:
A Handful of Dust
Time to Murder and Create
Touch not the Cat
Deadly Embrace
Create Titles:
The House at Midnight
Saving Jenny
Mind Trap
Final Warning
Allow five minutes for the words or titles to filter through to the brain and begin to spark off ideas. After the designated time, write an overview of a story for each title. If using key words, the sequence of related words can conjure some interesting storylines all by itself. By changing focus from the originally planned project, it is easier for the brain to be inspired by new stimuli. Sometimes the more focus given to a specific writing subject; the harder it is to overcome the obstacles associated with writers block. Frustration builds and the writer gives up for the day-feeling deflated and unhappy.
Using these key words or titles will provide writers with the opportunity to open up the creative grey matter and stimulate the writer in a more relaxed manner, therefore allowing the words and ideas to flow in a productive manner. Crisis over.
