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Ask questions about writing > How to write when there's nothing to write?

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message 1: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
Sorry for all of the questions on advice, my writing life hasn't been too great.

So I was wondering if I should stop writing for a while and wait until I find inspiration. I'm out of ideas and any of my ideas don't seem too great. Maybe I'm working too hard on finding a story plot and it would be better to give my brain a break.

Or should I just continue the stories I have now? Even though they all are really bad and are going no where. Is it good to practice? or rest?

Thanks :)


message 2: by Lura (new)

Lura (luraj2612) | 113 comments Questions are good; they're how you learn! ^_^

I would advise taking a break. I have to do so about once a month. Do something else creative, like crafting or drawing. (I usually do cross stitch and/or beading. I like crafts.) I find doing other creative things recharges my batteries, making me eager to return to writing.

Try it and see if it works for you.


message 3: by Liam (new)

Liam Sweeny (liamsweeny) | 6 comments If you're not writing, just read. Put yourself through reading cycles and writing cycles.


message 4: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
Lura wrote: "Questions are good; they're how you learn! ^_^

I would advise taking a break. I have to do so about once a month. Do something else creative, like crafting or drawing. (I usually do cross stitch a..."




Okay! That sounds good :) I don't know many crafts to do but I can always draw :) Thanks for the advice Lura!


message 5: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
Liam wrote: "If you're not writing, just read. Put yourself through reading cycles and writing cycles."

Okay! I'm always reading so that should help :D Thanks!


message 6: by Alice (new)

Alice (alice20) Search up interesting writing prompts online. Writer's Digest has a lot of good ones, and we have some here in our group. I sometimes write prompt responses when I feel like my stories are going badly, just to get a breath of fresh air and write something different.
I agree with what Liam said too... reading helps a lot.


message 7: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
Ali wrote: "Search up interesting writing prompts online. Writer's Digest has a lot of good ones, and we have some here in our group. I sometimes write prompt responses when I feel like my stories are going ba..."


ok! Thanks Ali! I will do so :)


Iesha (In east shade house at...) (emberblue) | 150 comments Taking a walk or just changing your scenery in general can be very stimulating for you mind and body both. Or interacting with people, people watching for example is a great way to study the behavior of people and can help you in generating ideas out of everyday things that happens to other peoples. These ideas provide you a break from writing. It's also good to set up a work schedule for everyday.


message 9: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
Iesha (In east shade house at...) wrote: "Taking a walk or just changing your scenery in general can be very stimulating for you mind and body both. Or interacting with people, people watching for example is a great way to study the behavi..."

Hmm. Okay :) Thanks!


message 10: by T.J. (new)

T.J. | 6 comments I find that if I lack motivation to continue the story where I left off, I'll start a chapter that I've been eagerly looking forward to writing. Even if that means experimenting with dialogue and scenery. Walking around your house discussing with your characters to an imaginative audience helps too because it can give you the motivation and desire to share these people of your mind to the world.


message 11: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
T.J. wrote: "I find that if I lack motivation to continue the story where I left off, I'll start a chapter that I've been eagerly looking forward to writing. Even if that means experimenting with dialogue and s..."

Yeah! That sounds really good! Thanks T.J.!


message 12: by T.J. (new)

T.J. | 6 comments No problem! Also, sketching characters can help as well. Any progressive steps are beneficial to your book.


message 13: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
T.J. wrote: "No problem! Also, sketching characters can help as well. Any progressive steps are beneficial to your book."


Yeah. I'm trying to start a new story right now and I need to work on all of the background things :P


message 14: by T.J. (new)

T.J. | 6 comments I'm having the same problem. I decided to take a step back from it and just kind of...entertain the idea for a bit until some puzzle pieces fall into place. Sometimes, I get a clearer image when I don't try. My characters are my kids. If I don't figure something out, they'll come up with something with the personality I gave them, haha.


message 15: by cindy ♡ (new)

cindy ♡ | 111 comments Mod
T.J. wrote: "I'm having the same problem. I decided to take a step back from it and just kind of...entertain the idea for a bit until some puzzle pieces fall into place. Sometimes, I get a clearer image when I ..."



Yeah, I've been taking a break, just to relax my mind a bit to get some fresh ideas and thoughts :)


message 16: by T.J. (new)

T.J. | 6 comments It's always good to do that and write for fun rather than under a significant amount of pressure.


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