Creative writing :: 8 ways to get unstuck ::

No matter if you're writing articles for a magazine or poetry for your own pleasure, you've definetely got stuck some time. Maybe you don't write at all nowadays, except for to do lists and grocery lists along with scrambling down one or another appointment in your schedule. How to get back into a more creative writing habit? I have some tips for you.



1. Write lists. They are easy, no preassure writing, and very fun to do. They are fun when becuase you make them fun. You can list your favourite ice creams, your cousins (and sort them by age), your daily habits - or 10 things you would do if you were a superhero, places you want to visit, famous people you'd like to have lunch with etc.

2. Cut out a picture from a magazine, glue it on a piece of paper and start writing about what is happening, or what just happened, or what will happen next. Do not think too much - write what comes to mind. No one will read it anyway; the purpose is to start writing again.

3. Describe something or someone. It can be a person, something that just happened, a place, your lunch. Use your senses but choose only one and write down all words that comes to mind. If you choose smell, then write down all the smells that describe the situation/person.

4. Write a letter. Pick a friend or relative, or find someone online, and write a letter telling them about your day, your thoughts, or maybe about what they mean to you. A Kindness Letter, where you tell them all what you like about them, is always appreciated :-)



5. Choose a theme. It can be anything. If it's hard to choose, pick a newspaper and write about the theme of the first headline. Or choose something classic, like Love, Inner Peace, War or Family. Then set your alarm clock to something between 3 and 10 minutes. 10 is an absolute maximum, I would recommend you to go for 3-5 minutes. And then write! Don't think about spelling or grammar or even if someone would be able to understand what you've written. Just let your mind flow and write, write, write. Write as if your life was dependant on it. And stop when you hear the alarm. Yes, stop.

6. Write diary. Do the classic "today I ...", or more experimental kinds like exploring different sides of yourself. Do it a daily chore for a limited time (you might even get a new habit here) during a few minutes a day.



7. Continue a sentece. Pick the first - or last - sentence in a book (preferably one you haven't read) and continue it. Write only one page. No more, no less.

8. Write a classic fairy tale. But only with main points or mindmapping. From the beginning to the end.

Do you have any tips on how to get unstuck? Please share them in the comments below :)