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I have to tell you I truly love writing. You want to know why…because ideas can come from anything and lead to anywhere.

This post in fact came from another post that I was in the middle of writing.

3 ways to become inspired when you can’t think of what to write next

1) Read something. This is a how this post was in fact created. I was in the middle of another post about Elizabeth Gilbert (yes, the author of Eat, Pray and Love) and I thought…”I could do a post about ways to create and write when you can’t find something to write.” Boom, here is a new post. Another way I find that helps is reading books, magazines, articles, blog posts. Read, read, read. For me, reading helps me write.

2) Block Interference. One element can creep in and stop us dead in our tracks. FEAR. Too many times we can allow it to control our actions. If you can just keep pushing through it and write even when you think the idea is a bad one…keep writing. While you are in the midst of writing you may find another path to take your writing.

3) Take a break. At times you can become so focused on the fact you can’t write, your energy gets drained. By taking a break and doing something else for a little while (perhaps taking a walk OR listening to music) a subject will come to mind to bring back your focus and enjoyment in writing. Changing your surroundings or environment can lead to new ideas and possibly your next written page.

4) Play a New Tape. This kind of goes along with #3 with an added kick. When you do get stuck and can’t think of where the next chapter is going to come in or how you want the book cover to look like, play a new tape. Take a few minutes and put yourself in the place where you feel you are confident with the ideas coming up for the book. When you stay focused on the negative or lack of something, you are not allowing for the positive or possibilities to be shown to you. By creating a new tape where you do know the subject of the next chapter or the layout of the book cover, ideas start surfacing.

5) Ask for help For writers (for anyone) this can be a challenge because you don’t want people to know you are struggling. You have to know though, there are many others who have gone through it at one time or another. So ask your questions to others and seek out the suggestions and ideas of others. Sometimes the idea may be simple, but will be the one thing you need to get back to writing.

Inspiration can come from so many places; music, conversations, pictures, drawings, poetry or reading. Don’t give up and keep going.

Do you have strategies or methods you use to jumpstart your writing when you have stopped or need more inspiration? Please join in the discussion and share with us your ideas, suggestions and opinions.