Need inspiration to write? 6 ways to jumpstart your imagination
Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash
As creative writers, we run into writing blocks. Sometimes, our imagination needs an energizing boost.
I’ve been coming up with stories since I was kid. Since 2013, I’ve written over 40 books for schools.
But when it comes to always feeling inspired to write?
It’s never gotten easier.
This is true for many—if not all—writers. Your treasure trove of creative ideas will run dry. And that’s okay. It’s part of the writing process.
But if you’re stuck in creative mud, how do you get inspiration to write?
Some writers says inspiration is a fickle muse. She’s around some days, gone all others.
But there are strategies for making sure inspiration keeps in touch with you.
When I’m struggling to generate new story ideas or find a new angle for a nonfiction narrative, I turn to the following ideas. Here are my six favourite ways to get inspiration to write.
1. Use a creative constraint.
I used to hate writing haikus. It felt like a torture lesson for non-poets.
Now that I’m older, and occasionally wiser, I love these types of creative constraints.
The magic of a haiku or any creative constraint? It creates a structured space for your brain to work more creatively.
A constraint is a limitation or restriction. Creative constraints are “rules” for your writing.
This may sound suffocating. But sometimes our imagination needs a bit of structure. Inspiration lives all around us—but without a direction, our imagination can wander aimlessly.
Let’s try two of my favourite creative constraints to get inspired.
#1 Write an acrostic poem. 📝
To write an acrostic poem, you start by writing the letters of a word down a page in a vertical line. Your poem then uses the first letter to start a line.
Here’s an acrostic poem using the word “MAGIC”:
M: MAKE time to create consistently.
A: ACCEPT that you’ll make mistakes.
G: GREET the world with curiosity—and you’ll find inspiration anywhere.
I: IMAGINE your characters through a lens of compassion.
C: CREATE from the heart and with courage.
And that’s how you create MAGIC in your stories!
Now, it’s your turn!
Write an acrostic poem using the word, MAGIC, or your word of choice. And get your creative brain revved up.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try opening up any book around you, and pointing your finger at a word. Use that word to create your next acrostic poem.
#2 Write a story using a formula. 🧪
I first heard this creative constraint in a writers’ workshop. Initially, I felt puzzled… and then it launched my brain into new imaginative stratospheres.
Here’s the formula to begin your story:
Your character’s first name starts with the first letter of your name.
Your character’s last name starts with the last letter of your name.
Your character lives in a city that starts with the first letter of your last name.
Your character’s main desire starts with the last letter of your last name.
This is how the story could begin:
My full name is Monika Davies. This is how my story formula shakes out:
My main character’s first name is: Mateo
Mateo’s last name is: Arwen
He lives in: Detroit
His main desire is: Self-sufficiency
When I put it all together, my story’s opening line could be:
Mateo Arwen lived in Detroit and was on a mission to be self-sufficient.
Use these four ingredients to start your story recipe. 👩🍳
This creative constraint is fun because it “pre-loads” your story with a name, a setting, and your character’s main desire.
These four ingredients serve as a foundation for your next story. Now—go and write!
2. Create two lists. Then, mix and match elements.
I first started making lists in a Firefly Creative Writing workshop. Firefly’s kind workshop leaders use this strategy a lot, and it’s a great one for jumpstarting the imagination.
Lists are easy and fun to make. And once started, lists give you a catalogue of ideas to write from.
A key writing skill is writing to delight and surprise your reader. One way to do that is to mix and match elements from two lists.
Write two lists using two different prompts 👯♀️
Ready to write some lists? Choose two list prompts from below.
Write a list of…
… things that never change.
… things that you can’t eat.
… things that scare you.
… people who make you laugh.
… things that make your home a home.
Now, write two different lists. Put them on separate sheets of paper.
(Go ahead, I’ll wait. ⏱)
Now, mix and match items from the two lists. 🤹
You now have two lists of ideas to draw from:
Pick an item from your first list that you like the most.
Pick an item from your second list that you like least.
These two items are your story starter blocks. Now, start writing! Let your imagination go, and create a story using these two items.
It’s okay if these two elements don’t seem to match together. See what words come when you start writing—and you’ll discover a brand-new narrative is waiting for you.
3. Go somewhere new. Try something new. And carry a notebook.
As a writer, if you’ve been feeling stuck lately, it’s likely you need to shake up your setting.
You need to step out of the comfort zone of your life.
It’s hard to write if you’re not engaged with life. When we’re not living, we’re not gaining experiences that will add depth and colour to our narratives.
The solution? Go somewhere new. Or try something new. And make sure you carry a notebook with you.
Your goal? Return from your adventure with a notebook full of ideas and writing inspiration.
Get ready to step out of your comfort zone.
Here are some ways to engage in new ways with your community and life.
🌶 Eat somewhere new. What’s a restaurant or cuisine you’ve wanted to taste test, but haven’t yet? Go there and order something off the menu you’d never typically order.
🛶 Try a new outdoor activity. Been meaning to try kayaking? Or is there a hike you’ve wanted to go on? This is your sign to schedule that in. Triple points if you feel nervous about doing it.
🎨 Make time for a different creative hobby. As writers, we can get a bit tied to our “writer identity.” Diversify your creative pursuits, and try a new hobby. Pottery? Watercolours? Wood working? Give one a go.
🚌 Hop on a random bus or drive a new route. We get caught in the grooves of our lives quickly and easily. So, change up your scenery. Drive home a different way and stop at a new coffee shop. Get on a different bus without checking its direction. And take notes.
🏙 Visit a new neighbourhood. Do you stick to the north part of your city? Get adventurous, and roam your hometown. Pick a neighbourhood you know nothing about. Don’t research it ahead of time. Arrive and let your instincts guide you around.
Next, write down your observations.
While you’re out doing new things, write observations down in your notebook:
🤔 What are you feeling? Notice how you’re feeling as you try something out of your comfort zone.
🗣 What are some interesting bits of dialogue you overhear? Listen intently and jot down any stray remarks or turns of phrase that you like.
🎇 What are images that stick out to you? Look for vivid images on your journey, and see if you can describe them with in-depth visual detail. Paint a picture with your words.
🕺 Who is someone interesting you spoke with? Describe them with descriptive detail, noticing their looks, mannerisms, and anything else that nabs your attention.
㊕ What is memorable about this day for you? Describe your favourite moments from the day. Think about why they resonated for you. Is it a moment you can recreate in a story?
My hope is that when you come back from your adventures, you have a notebook packed with new, invigorating ideas to get you writing again.
4. Use a picture prompt from Unsplash.
A picture is worth a thousand words, eh?
And picture prompt is a great way to jumpstart the imagination. Especially if you’re someone who is moved visually.
Unsplash is a great place to source beautiful, creative images. Their tagline is: “The internet’s source of freely-usable images.”
Any image you find on Unsplash, you can use—completely free—for most personal or commercial purposes.
I use Unsplash to source images for my blog posts. But I also love to dip into their archives if I need some visual inspiration.
Unsplash has millions of photographs—and many of them tell a compelling story that you can choose to interpret with a narrative.
Browse these photo collections for writing inspiration + prompts:
🤷🏾♀️ Need character inspiration? Browse portraits of people.
👩👩👦👦 Want to write about relationships? View photographs of families in action.
🔬 Want to go a new, creative direction? Look through Unsplash’s “Experimental” collection.
5. Try an AWA writers’ workshop.
I’m a big fan of writers’ workshops that use the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) method.
Their philosophy is straightforward. From their website:
“AWA’s core belief is simple: every person is a writer, and every writer deserves a safe environment in which to experiment, learn, and develop craft.”
I’m now an AWA affiliate and facilitate workshops in Victoria, BC.
What makes an AWA workshop special is how safe it feels.
Every AWA workshop follows certain practices. These are the AWA differentiators. It’s why an AWA workshop is a safe space to explore and grow your writing.
Here are the key practices:
The workshop leader writes and shares their work with everyone else. Every writer in the room is treated equally. No one is deemed an “expert” on writing.
All work is treated as fiction. When giving feedback, people talk about the “narrator,” even if the writing seems like nonfiction. This allows writers to write without reservation and concern about personal comments.
All feedback focuses on the strengths of the writing. Your fellow writers tell you what stood out to them in the piece. No criticism. Just supportive reactions.
If your writing voice is missing that creative ‘oopmh’, I highly recommend you try an AWA writing workshop. Here are a few recommendations.
#1 Try a writing workshop with me in Victoria, BC.
Shameless plug! I currently offer in-person writing workshops on the west coast of Canada.
My Creative Jumpstarts series are all AWA workshops. If you live in town, I’d love to write with you.
You can also learn more about my workshop offers here.
#2 Try a writing workshop with NY Writers Coalition.
NY Writers Coalition run virtual workshops. I attended a beginner’s workshop a year or two ago, and it was one of my favourites.
Have a peek at their offerings. It’s a small fee to attend, and the workshops are diverse and welcoming.
#3 Browse the AWA directory.
Are you interested in attending an in-person AWA writing workshop? The AWA directory is a great resource.
There are workshop leaders around the globe. There’s likely someone running workshops near you.
6. Walk through a cemetery.
There’s a graveyard about 30 minutes away from my house called the Ross Bay Cemetery. Walking through, I ‘meet’ people from all walks of life and all corners of history.
In a cemetery, we can discover the beginnings—and endings—of complex stories.
If you’re struggling to feel inspired, go back in history—and visit a cemetery.
Graveyards are a place to remember the stories of the past.
🕯An important note: While I love walking through graveyards and imagining the stories of people long gone, please walk with respect.
If I’m looking for creative inspiration, I never use names from a graveyard in my writings. I suggest you keep that in mind too.
Cemeteries are also where we can honour those who’ve left us. A graveyard is a place to remember the stories of the past—while creating space for future narratives.
For inspiration, stay on the lookout as you explore:
Look for someone with an ornate gravestone that catches your eye. Look at the year they passed away. Imagine who they are. Did they like to wear hats? How many kids did they have, or did they choose not to?
Look for someone whose gravestone is still cared for. In your imagination, who did they leave behind when they died? What do you figure was their favourite hobby while they lived?
Look for someone whose gravestone is tucked and hidden away. What do you think their biggest regret is? Did they make amends for their mistakes while they lived? And—did they prefer carrots or avocados?
Takeaway: Stay curious.
If there’s an overarching theme to this blog post, it’s simply to stay curious.
Inspiration strikes when we’re feeling open to new ways of seeing and doing and writing. Our imaginations will always run wild—if we let them.
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Oh hey there, I’m Monika!
(she/her) I’m a big fan of compassionate creativity, intentional living, and freshly-popped popcorn. I hope this article gave you some ideas and inspiration to get writing again.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me an email. I love to hear from fellow writers!
