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Tiiq
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#1
Old 10-15-2007, 01:13 AM

When I was young I used to write books about medieval times and sometimes comic books about my friends becoming super hereos and things like that as I grew up my books became more detailed and well thought out and it seemed like my imagination wouldn't stop but in the last year I haven't written a single book which is really weird because i usually write like twenty books a year. I can't seem to think up more ideas for books or comic books so I ask you...

Got any ideas for a story I could write?
Where do you get your ideas from? (probably not the interweb)
Does imagination ever just stop?

Knerd
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#2
Old 10-15-2007, 01:19 AM

I've moved this to the Story Help subforum of the Literature Spot. Hopefully you'll get more responses here.

I wish I could help you, dear. But imagination and creativity can't just be handed over. My best advice for you is to take this time to go over your past work and improve upon it. Find some of those old stories and rewrite them. You may be able to improve upon the plot and characters, and turn it into a novel that's ready for publication. You never know.

C H A R T R E U S E
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#3
Old 10-15-2007, 01:22 AM

I have no ideas for a story. . .I'm definitely not a writer, but when I need inspiration I listen to music. Most of the time things just come to me. Just keep writing, though. I suggest setting up time each day to just sit and write whatever comes to mind. That way you keep your writing skills up until you actually come out of your block.

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#4
Old 10-15-2007, 02:44 AM

Find a single element to get excited about. If you really like a certain weapon, start by designing a character with that weapon. then figure out what that character would do.

Other option is take that same item, and make it a quest item. Quests are good stories...

I wish you luck, Tiiq

xxStarii
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#5
Old 11-10-2007, 04:05 AM

Don't feel bad -- all writer get stuck in a rut every once in awhile. How I get inspired? Well...

1.) Music: I get really inspired by the lyrics / emotions of a song. By being constantly surrounded by music, it's almost impossible not to pull inspiration from it.
2.) Photographs: Everybody knows that a picture is worth a thousand words. C:
3.) Moments that happen around me: All you have to do is take a step back and simply watch. Everything you write doesn't have to be from your own personal experience.

I hope I helped at least a little bit. n______n;

Silverah
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#6
Old 11-11-2007, 12:28 PM

I've found one of the things that is fun is having someone else give you a synopsis and then having to write the story that goes to it.

Like...

One day your young heroine wakes up to find a tropical bird stuck between the screen and the glass of her bedroom window. When she takes the injured bird in, he reveals he can talk and tells her fantastic stories of his adventures that brought him to his present predicament. Elaborate.

You don't necessarily have to use this one, per say, but it's just a suggestion. Sometimes when I have writer's block, the best way for me to get out of it is for someone to tell me what to write instead of just trying to come up with something on my own.

Roni
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#7
Old 12-26-2007, 03:07 AM

Wow, Silverah! I might just use that prompt sometime!

I suggest setting up a specific time to write every day. Stick to that writing time no matter what. Pick a time when you can be by yourself without being bothered by family members / friends / pets. I also suggest that since you're having a hard time writing, make sure that when you do write you take away all distractions. Don't snack, don't drink, don't listen to songs that make you want to sing along. Instrumental music or background music would be great, though.

Try changing the medium you're writing in. If you usually type, try writing in a notebook. And vice versa. Basically force yourself through this block. =) Try prompts, as Silverah and others have suggested. They help me a lot!

Queen Demon
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#8
Old 12-27-2007, 05:09 AM

Maybe base it on real life? What happen's to you? A story you once heard? It could be a fanasty like Harry Potter. Medavil time's remind me of fanasty's so...Yeah....

Fin Raziel
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#9
Old 03-05-2008, 05:14 PM

Try going to a new place to write. I like to visit cemeteries. There are places to sit, you're always alone, it's scenic and quiet. It's a really great place to come up with new ideas and work on old ones. And try doing the work the old fashioned way--with a pen and a notebook, rather than taking a laptop. You won't get a screen glare, and it will really get you into the spirit and mood of your surroundings. It's always easier to imagine yourself in your story's setting if you don't feel like you're in the same old place, doing things the same old way.

If you like listening to music, but you usually pop in your favorite CD, try a new approach. Listen to something in a foreign language you don't at all understand. Stay away from music in a language you know any small amount of. For me, Hindi music works well. It's exotic, and I can't even pretend to catch and understand a single syllable of what's being said. Unfamiliar classical music can also do the trick. I love Enya, but I can't listen to the same songs, or listen to them often, or else they become familiar and I'll hum along even if I can't understand what she's saying (and I really can't).

Another thing I love to do is look for visuals. If I'm writing something gothic or medieval, I love looking up pictures of old castles and moats. I have folders dedicated to things like this on my computer, and I also buy home and garden magazines, and clip pictures, which I keep in an envelope. Fountains and flowers and chandeliers are really inspiring to me.

Writing exercises can help you get back into the swing of things, even if you have no particular plot in mind. You can always find some online. Try a place like Live Journal, where there are communities dedicated to sharing writing exercises. There are also plenty of books on the subject. One of my favorites is "What Would Your Character Do?" It's an extensive study on characterization, co-written by a writer and a psychologist. It really helps you flesh out characters and write mini-adventures for them, whether you intend to do anything with them or not.

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#10
Old 03-28-2008, 12:12 AM

When I look for inspiration, I tend to not think about it. For me it will come when I'm least expecting it. Like when you lose your favorite hat and you stop looking for it. But then the next day there it is.

You could write about this girl/guy who loves to read. So they go to an old library and find this book. It's medieval/fantasy. So when he/she starts to read it. He/she really gets into it. So one night they book has vines coming out of it, the vines pull him/her in. So to return home they have to finish the book. Also, while they are there they have amazing adventures, of course.

Lol that sounds kind of weird. I don't know.

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#11
Old 03-28-2008, 01:33 PM

I agree with a bit of what everyone has said. I used to write a lot but sometimes I can go forever without an idea I like, or that isn't over used. I think every writer goes through it to some extent. Some for only weeks, some for years. It will come back to you once you can think of an idea (or be suggested one) that you really like. If you were writing that much before, that could be part of it, so many ideas for so long that it has kind of dried up. But don't worry, I am pretty sure it will only be temporary. I actually have about 20 ideas for different stories right now, my problem is sifting through them to find out which ones are really my own, or are triggered from other things. And then to pick one to actually run with (and take the time to sit down with it, I am a terrible procrastinator anymore).
Anyhow I wish you the best of luck with ideas.

Tainted Love Superstar
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#12
Old 01-16-2009, 09:17 AM

i have an idea.. its not good.. but theres all these theories that the world is going to 'end' on the 21st December 2012.. when i first heard about it i was scared then i thought hmm.. that would be kool for a story?

fairywaif
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#13
Old 01-17-2009, 09:58 PM

You could write one of those, what if such and such an event one way instead of another in medival times.
You could also have a person travel back in time.
I get my ideas from other stories I read, music, even television. You should try reading recent news stories, and looking up song lyrics.

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#14
Old 01-26-2009, 03:03 AM

You could feel inspired by things all around you, and even things you know about yourself. For instance, if you find some money on the ground (which isn't very common, but...). You could wonder a lot of things about it, such as if you should return it or not. Then, you could write a story about a little child finding a strange-looking object that contains a precious jewel that the government has lost or something.

Writing about yourself: You can write about a person whose life is similar to yours. It can be a journal too, using different characters and names. No one would ever know ;D

Music is one awesome thing. From the lyrics, you can come up with a little story yourself.

Inoko Clan-Clan
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#15
Old 03-20-2010, 08:32 PM

Inspiration can be found just about anywhere, but it's so hard to catch it sometimes. I keep a journal just for writing random things in almost everyday. A change in scenery is also a good thing to keep in mind. (I like to write in parks!) Everyone gets the block every now and then (I have it now) and it's very annoying when you actually want to write. Also hanging out with a different group of people helps me sometimes.

Also looking at something creative (video games, shows, etc.) can also help. Just be careful of copyright laws and the such. >.<'

Last edited by Inoko Clan-Clan; 03-20-2010 at 08:35 PM.. Reason: no double posting

 


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