Heya, guys, gals, and nonbinary pals!
Today I wanted to talk to you about inspiration. Or, rather, my own personal sources of inspiration. And who knows, right now you could have some serious artist’s block and one of these things will help you feel inspired again.
So, let’s just jump right in. Here goes!
- Books. For example, Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon. This is an amazing book, and whenever I flip through it, I feel super inspired and have to go write.
- Music. Like, if I’m trying to write a fight scene in my novel, I’ll listen to some action-y soundtrack (or something like that). Also, try listening to the lyrics of your favorite songs. Actually listen. You might be surprised. (Tip: Fall Out Boy songs are especially good for this. So much meaning.)
- People. Go people-watching. Grab a table in your local Starbucks and take notes on the people around you. Try speculating about what their life is like. Is that business man an undercover FBI agent? Does that sweet-looking old lady have a portal to another realm in her closet? Does that 19-year-old girl have a talking dog? Who knows? Maybe you’ll come up with a cool idea that you’ll just have to go into more detail about. (Note – This idea is mostly for writers and other artists.)
- Other blogs. Try browsing around on the blogosphere – find blogs about your hobbies and interests, and they might be able to give you some new ideas.
- Overheard dialogue. Go back to that Starbucks I mentioned. But, this time, instead of writing down what you think their lives are like and coming up with histories for them, try eavesdropping and writing down what you hear. You never know what interesting conversations are happening all around you.
- Magazines. Find magazines about your interests and flip through them. You might see an inspiring photo, or read an inspiring article.
- Movies and TV. Epic fantasies are super inspiring for me. You know – movies like The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter. Stuff like that.
- Art. Go to an art museum. Look at all of the paintings. Hopefully, when you come back home, you’ll be inspired.
- Friends. Ask your friends to tell you some stories. Or just try talking to them. You’d be surprised at how many brilliant ideas and stories they have.
- Quotes. Quotes are always good.
- Nature. Take a walk through the woods. Or, if you don’t live near any wilderness, try the nearest park.
- Travel. Go someplace new, even if it’s just that little Chinese place downtown that you’ve never been to before. Inspiration isn’t always on the other side of the country.
- Religion and Mythology. I, personally, love Greek mythology. Everything about it interests me. I draw inspiration from it all the time. Try to find something like that – it’s always great to get ideas from different beliefs.
- The News. Check out the latest stories. Maybe someone was arrested. Maybe someone was killed. Maybe someone ran away from home. You never know how many interesting things are happening in this world, and any one of them could give you a brilliant idea.
- Dreams. Dreams can get pretty weird, but they’re filled with tons of inspiration, if you know to look for it.
- Journals. I like to keep a small pocket journal on me at all times. Whenever I have an idea, I can easily jot it down, and whenever I’m bored, I can fill the pages with doodles. And, whenever my well of inspiration is running dry, I can flip back through it to fill it up again.
- Poetry. Read some Walt Whitman. Or Edgar Allan Poe. Someone. Poetry can be both uplifting and inspiring, which is perfect, if your in an inspiration rut. Which I’m assuming you are, because you’re reading this.
- Freewriting. Just write whatever comes to mind. I don’t care if it’s basically gibberish. You never know if you’ll get a brilliant idea because of it.
- Brainstorms. Write down every idea you can think of, even if it’s stupid. You can just cross it out when you read through the list. Hopefully, you’ll have a brilliant idea when you’re done.
- Success Stories. Personally, J.K. Rowling’s story inspires me to no end. I love reading biographies and watching documentaries on how she became who she is today. So try reading some success stories. They can help a lot.
- Doodles and Sketches. Just start doodling, and see where it takes you. Hopefully towards inspiration.
Well, that’s it, folks. Talk to you next week! 🙂
-Alurea W. Over and Out 😛
