There is nothing more frustrating when inspiration leaves you high and dry. But, if there is one thing that I’ve learned over the years; when inspiration strikes, grab it with two hands.
Like the great artist Picasso said,
“I begin with an idea, and then it becomes something else.”
With inspirational quotes being posted daily on Instagram and Facebook, you would think that finding inspiration wouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. I’m not sure about you, but if I read or see a particular quote repeated over and over it loses its power.
So, what do you do when you’re short of the stuff? (And none of the said ubiquitous quotes have little to no effect?) Hopefully, my article will help, or if you have some other tried and tested ways that are effective share in the comments, I’d love to hear them.
Finding inspiration is a bit like looking for lost keys – you find them when you’re not looking. But that can be very frustrating when you’ve got a deadline, or your book has taken a bit of a back seat as you just don’t know what to write about.
I’ve suffered myself – in fact, if I’m going to be totally honest, this whole week has been a bit of a struggle – ironic really when I’m trying to inspire others to find inspiration.
Here are my quick tips on getting it back;
- Research – or rather, go to Google. You might think this is a bit of a cop-out, but you have the world at your fingertips, and just looking up your phrase and then clicking the image results can prove a gold mine.
- Do something completely different. Like with the lost keys analogy, trying to ‘get’ inspiration is hard, but shifting your focus on something completely different, or mundane can unearth a seed of an idea. Spring cleaning can have the same effect.
- Write it down when it strikes. This kinda goes with the above tip. And I’ve learned the hard way, that thinking I’ll remember something usually results in me forgetting. So, I now keep a pen and paper by my sofa, my bed and in my car.
“The biggest lie I tell myself is ‘I don’t need to write it down, I’ll remember it.’”
- Talk it over – this can work really well, as you’ll get suggestions that you just haven’t thought of. The trick is to be open-minded enough not to dismiss anything. You can also ask your fans or followers on social media.
The key is to do SOMETHING. Even if the words elude you write something. Not sure of an idea? Start anyway. Write about the view, or what you had for breakfast. Free writing can be incredibly powerful and just the movement forwards can unstick ideas.
To end on another quote by Picasso…
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”
Inspired? Have an idea for a book, but not sure where to go with it? Get in touch. I have a specific ‘book discovery call’ where we talk through your book idea together and come up with a plan.
My best ideas always hit me when I least expect them!