RachelleHarp

Unlocking the creative words from our heads can be a challenge. As a writer, I’ve struggled with that on a daily basis. Some days, I stare at the blank page and think what on earth am I doing? Others, the words flow and I can’t stop them.

The Struggle
As I’m walking this pregnancy journey, my brain has been more unfocused these days. My creative output isn’t what it was pre-pregnacy. And I forget simple stuff. My doctor calls it “prego brain.” While I love the idea of our coming child, I’m not a fan of the prego brain! It’s so annoying.

So how do you overcome the beast of un-creativity?

Tips to Unleash Your Creativity

• Butt On Chair Time: Even when you don’t feel like writing or creating, write anyways. When I look back over some of the things I’ve written the past few weeks, I’ve found some sparkling lines mixed in along with some great descriptions. And the word count adds up faster than I thought.
• Rest: Get plenty of sleep.
• Go for a Walk: Observe nature or the world around you. I always find something new to write about or a creative way to express a thought when I’m out in the world.
• Try Something New: Maybe it’s taking a pottery class or learning how to build a bookshelf. Go for a hike in the mountains or on a trip to that museum you’ve always wanted to go to but never taken the time for.
• Debate an Issue or Idea from the Opposite Viewpoint: It’s easy to defend your own point of view, but what if you’ve got a character or situation that doesn’t agree with your ideals? Try writing a paper or debating with a trusted friend about the topic to deepen your story and your characters.
• Create During Optimal Hours: Are you a morning person or a night person? Whichever it is, use those hours to your advantage. I write best in the morning, so the earlier I start, the more creative my thoughts are.
• Write on a Blank Page: When I’m stumped, if I open up a blank spiral page or a new Word document, I’m less inhibited about “messing up” my previous words. For me, there’s something about the act of writing in a separate page that gives me permission to write really bad, whatever comes into my head. If I open up the actual document my novel is saved in, I always hesitate to write new things because I’m afraid I’ll mess it up.
• Freewrite Everyday: Julia Cameron suggests the use of “Morning Pages” in her book The Artist’s Way. The basic premise is to freewrite first thing in the morning, three pages or fifteen minutes – whatever comes into your head, without checking for grammar – in stream of consciousness style. As I do this, words begin to flow and that latch pops off the creativity lock. It’s amazing how it works.

What ways have you found to inspire your creative muse?