Ideas For Improving Creativity (and getting out of writers block)

I thought it might be a good idea to compile a few ideas for helping you get an idea or just conquer that ever-cumbersome case of writers block. With the dawn of ProgressiveU's newborn sister site, the Creative Writing portion of the site, I figured this might be a useful blog.

1. Free writing: this type of constant nonsense writing can help you get back into writing again. Maybe an idea can pop up during this when otherwise your mind would be blank. I believe there is a different thought process at work during a free write.

The process is pretty simple, though staying focused during this can be difficult. First, set yourself an easy time limit. 3-5 minutes will be plenty. Then...you start writing. It can be about anything really, and doesn't really need to make sense. It's a sort of stream-of-conciousness technique where you write what you're thinking when you're thinking it.

2. Lists/outlines: Have an idea for a story but can’t start writing yet? Try outlining the story first, from beginning to end (or at least what you know of it.) This technique might seem to be for the most organized people, but since I use it too, you don't have to worry about falling into that category.

Lists or outlines can be used for any aspect of a story: facts about your main character, list the characters in the story, list what is found in a specific scene...the list goes on.

3. Random writing: If it’s first person, randomly write about any subject in that character’s voice. Pick a topic and go at it.

4. Interview your characters. You may feel a little awkward literally talking to yourself, but it can help.I actually interviewed my characters, and the results were interesting. I'd start with a question ("Who do you live with?") and end up learning things about the character I hadn't known earlier. Sounds weird, but if you try it out you may find I'm not insane.

5. Word webbing: Start with a topic and expand upon it. What you know, what you’ve learned, who you don’t know.

Or do it more randomly. Start with one word and do a word association. Let’s say, you start with the word “Light”, then you connect that to “light bulb” and “flame”. “Lightbulb” connects to “Edison” and “innovation”, while “flame” connects to “candle” and “hot”. “Hot” can describe “temperature” or “physical appearance”. Boom, you’ve got some ideas to start with. And it is best to start very randomly. I once wrote a very good story by using a few random words.

So there are a few ideas to get you started. Keep writing, and stay positive. Good writing doesn't just happen. Writing, like any hobby or career, must be worked at to perfect. Constructive criticism can be both your best friend and your worst enemy. You'll see what I mean....

Did you find this helpful at all? Are there any ideas you can add?

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