4 Ways to Get Writing Inspiration

I know that a lot of different writers, bloggers, and authors write about how to get past "writing block".  How to become inspired to put words on a page.  How to get ideas.  But because this question has been asked of me several times, I am going to give some tips from my own writing career. =)

I sit down at my laptop to write a blog post.  I already have a great idea...I thought of it last night.  As the computer warms up and the page appears, I stare at the box which will soon fill up with my words.  Suddenly - somehow - the idea vanishes.  Like a passing mist, it's completely gone.  I'm left staring at the screen wondering what do to.  How do you just come up with words when they are avoiding your brain?  Panic sets in.  How can you be a blogger if you can't think of a post to write?  What will all of my amazing readers say?

Yup.  If you're a writer, I'm sure you can relate.  Have you ever had an inspiring, amazing post that just vanished into thin air?  Or maybe you're writing on your WIP and realize that you have a chapter - a whole chapter - that you need to write...but you have no clue what to put on the paper in front of you.  You are forced to come up with an idea that is both captivating for the reader and prods them to read on.  Those middle chapters of a book can be the hardest to write for that very reason.

Some people call it writer's block.  I never really believed that such a thing existed.  Usually, thousands of ideas are floating around in my head begging to be the first to appear on the page.  But those occasional times come around when inspiration vanishes.  Suddenly, you're left with a blank page, a chapter to write, and no ideas.

How do you overcome this dilemma?  I can't give you a straightforward, perfect answer.  But I can tell you what I do when I need to write but am void of a plot.  Here is a small glimpse into my writing life. =)

1. PRAY!  As a daughter of the King, I want everything I write to bring Him glory.  I want every chapter to encourage, uplift, and show God's love to my readers.  Also, it's important to realize that every idea that comes into my head will either come from God to promote His work or from myself to get my priorities and my goals accomplished.  If I center my thought-life on God, the ideas that will result will also be centered on Him.
2. Don't panic.  Realize that it doesn't matter if you are out of ideas.  It's not the end of the world.  Your readers will understand if you need a break off blogging for a week or two or three.  (thanks for the break that you gave me last month, dear readers) =) Worrying about what your readers think shouldn't be your priority anyway.  We should be eager to please God first and foremost.
3. Talk it over with a friend.  As I worked through the second draft of Emblem of Hope, there were many times when I was out of ideas.  My brain was empty.  I wondered how to carry the plot from point A to point B without losing my reader's attention or creating a totally dry, uninteresting story.  Thankfully, I found a solution.  When I needed inspiration, I found it at night while laying in bed.  (for you night owls, that's the best time to dream up stories!)  I would talk through the problem with my ten-year-old sister.  As we went back and forth over possible solutions, every single time I fell asleep with an answer to the dilemma!  Though she didn't always give me a perfect solution, as we combined out dreamy thoughts and story ideas, I always ended the conversation feeling excited and strangely at peace.  My "writer's block" had vanished!  (Thanks, sis!)  ;)
4. Keep writing.  Even if you didn't come up with anything that reaches up to your standards, just keep writing.  Keep dreaming.  And keep creating stories. Push through the dry spells and look forward to the satisfying rain that's sure to come.  Just take writing one letter at a time.

I hope these ideas helped you as you embark on your own writing adventure. =)

What do you do to get inspiration in your stories?  Do you have a friend or writing partner who helps you with ideas?  Has God ever giving you insight after you asked Him for help?  Comment below!