Being a writer is not easy. Inspiration is not something that is there to greet you every day just because you suddenly decided it was time to start writing that book you have been dreaming about. And even when you already know what direction the story will take, it is not always easy to put the idea into words. So our brain finds a way to put off this unfortunate activity and replace it with excuses, otherwise known as procrastination. But, over the years, I have found a few tricks that help me combat my favorite enemy.
Reading about writing
«Sombras» was a book that took a long time to develop into the final product. Before I had what I was comfortable calling a “first draft,” my notebook was filled with scribbles, drafts, and one-line sentences to describe unwritten scenes that would later be included in the story.
Until I discovered Veronica Roth, my muse in writing advice (although her blog is no longer active). Every time I felt less inspired to write, I would sit down and read her advice, and five minutes later the urge to put that advice into practice was back. That’s how I was finally able to finish “Shadows.”
Years after I published my book, I found myself in the same position again: “an amateur looking for inspiration”. I had a break of almost 3 years, during which I could hardly write due to some emotional problems. But I am back to writing. And I noticed that what made me feel more motivated and ensured that the words were able to flow again was this little trick.
Research
Whatever topic you write on, chances are you’ll have to do some research on the subject. Being that I’m a writer of supernatural fiction, you can’t imagine the amount of weird stuff I have in my search history (guns, morgues, how to describe the smell/taste of blood, describing a dead body, explosions, decapitation, etc.).
But another thing I love to research is monsters. I have a notebook of supernatural creatures that I started 10 years ago because of my fixation with the Supernatural series. That fixation turned into something even more serious when I decided to use my research for the stories I was writing. And something that I’ve found works wonders when I don’t feel much like writing, is a wander through Wikipedia looking for mythological monsters that haven’t been used yet.
Researching the settings for your book also helps. I have a folder full of photographs of potential settings that might be used in describing the story, and one of my favorite exercises is to look at the photographs and imagine my characters in those settings. The scenes I’ve had the most fun writing have come from moments of inspiration after doing this exercise.
Reading
Have you ever read something that inspires you so much that you feel like sitting your butt in your chair (without discriminating against other methods or places to write) and typing non-stop? Or has reading it made you long for your art so intensely that you feel an emptiness in your stomach that compels you to pick up pen and paper and kill that longing?
Some writers are able to create such strong emotions in the readers that we are gripped by their books. Whether it’s a thriller that makes you doubt everything, a novel that makes you blush, or a good fantasy that makes you dream. As we read we absorb all these methods perfected by others, even if unconsciously. So even without realizing it, we develop the tools, and if you’re lucky, the will to create your own fantastic story.
All writers start by being readers. And next time you feel like you’re not in the mood to write, try reading first.
Write anyway
This one may seem contradictory, but it is necessary. You wouldn’t skip work or school just because you don’t feel like going that day, would you? Then you shouldn’t do that with your dream: assuming that writing a book/short-story/novella is your dream.
You don’t need to write a whole chapter, nor do you need to write something related to your story. You just need to try.
Over the years, I’ve something that works really well:
- Set a timer with 5 minutes on it. During those 5 minutes write non-stop. Loose thoughts, ideas that come to your mind, things that you think will never make it into the story, but that makes you get to know your characters better… Put it all down on paper. The goal is to create a rhythm without feeling that you have to be creative, write well, or be original because you are writing for yourself.
After this exercise try to see if any ideas come to mind and start writing. Put one word after another, no matter how long it takes, but make an effort.
The first scenes of «Chamas» were something I didn’t know how to even begin writing. I knew what was happening, but I couldn’t find the inspiration for the words. After I made an effort to write, despite the lack of desire, I really got so into the story and I ended up writing 5,000 words that day. One of my personal records!
PATRICIA MORAIS
I write bilingual (PT and EN) supernatural fantasy books inspired by mythology and folklore from around the world. But my actual mission is to help other writers write, publish and market their books.
