You’ve written a lot of lately and then just stopped. It’s like you got to the end of your thoughts. It’s the edge and you’re looking off into cloudy nothingness. So that’s it – the end.
But wait, there’s more. Your thoughts haven’t ended. Keep writing. Don’t stop! Like breathing, a writer needs to write. Like running, you need to condition yourself to writing and generating ideas of all kinds, both fiction and non-fiction.
When it comes to blogging, journaling helps. The frequency of writing starts the mind generating ideas and from ideas come blog posts. Likewise, when you start generating ideas they start forming with greater frequency – again the mind’s creative muscles are exercised and ideas flow like a river. I’ve found that journaling and blogging have benefited my fiction with more ideas and creatively resolving problems in my fiction.
Here are some tips about writing:
1. It’s not enough just to say, “Write!” Be specific about what you will do. Intentionality leads somewhere. On the other hand, lack of intention leads nowhere.
2. To start with, journal in the morning. Do as much as you like or have time to do. The habit will get you writing like exercise.
3. What should you write? Well, in a journal like this, it doesn’t matter. Your meandering thoughts will begin to coalesce into specific ideas. Most anything you trip through can be used in some form of creative writing.
4. Take those ideas and transfer them to your blog, story, article or novel. Use those ideas. You’ve allowed your mind to get creative now harness all that energy for something. I frequently journal and find answers to puzzles in my plots, why I’m struggling with writing and ideas for blog posts of all kinds.
5. If you don’t have time to develop all the ideas make sure you get them into some form of development for use later. For blogs I make a content container and quickly type the idea and some notes so I can come back to it when I have more time. Regardless, I make sure my ideas do not fall through the proverbial cracks never to be seen again. I want to use them so I take that seed and make sure it’s gets planted for use now or later.
So when you think you’ve reached the end of your writing ideas you haven’t. Start writing in an open format with an intention and you will start generating ideas that start building into a habit of idea germination.
Have you stopped writing at the end of ideas? How do you cultivate your creativity? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section. I’d also love to connect with you over social media so check my Contact page for that information. See the News page for announcements and remember to sign-up to receive news and posts by email. I’ve added a new sign-up tab on my FaceBook page to simplify the process. New followers can download The Black Bag via free coupon today! Also, the cover of my book, The Bow of Destiny, was revealed recently so take a look.
Clip art licensed from Microsoft Office
4 thoughts on “Is It The End Of The Writing Line? Uh, No!”
I think my blog serves about the same purpose. It’s a few words, peppered throughout the week. I think we all worry about running out of ideas. I never seem to have that problem, but many of mine won’t carry an entire novel.
Thanks for commenting today, Craig. I don’t find that I’m as concerned about generating ideas as long as I keep writing. It seems to keep the idea mill moving. I agree that many of my ideas won’t develop into a book but that’s fine too. 🙂
Reblogged this on Tea Talks: Home of Helen Treharne, Writer and Reviewer and commented:
Another great post from PH Solomon who gives granular advice on writing every day…. A welcome thing indeed. Many bloggers or advice books tell writers to write every day – as if it’s that easy – but the great thing here is ideals on what that means in practice. Always worth stopping by Archer’s Aim for meaningful advice and great content.
Thanks for the re-blog and the your kind words, Helen.