E.J. Squires's Blog
January 6, 2015
How to get inspiration and deal with writer's block
So many people ask me how I deal with Writer's Block and how I come up with inspiration for my books. I didn't realize how prevalent Writer's Block and lack of inspiration were until a few years into my writing career, when I had connected with several authors and everyone and their dog complained about it. I'm not saying I have the end all solution for everyone—I think the solution is different for every author—but I found something that works for me, and because of this (don't hate me...), I never experience writer's block (knock on oak) and I never suffer from a lack of inspiration. (My issues are different, but that's another post).
But before I offer my process, I'd like to divide the process of my writing into three categories. A novel is born through three very basic phases, and those phases are the very phases the book has to go through, the very same story arch the hero has to go through in the book to have their victory. It's a journey with a specific end in mind, and every step takes time and effort.
Here are the three steps:
1. Dream (I want to write a book!)
2. Struggle (I am writing a book, I am editing, rewriting, editing, proof-reading, refining, developing, cutting, tweaking....blah blah blah...on and on)
3. Victory! (the book is finally finished. (I'm so sick of this book I could just barf))
First I'll write about the "Dream":
We all need some sort of inspiration from somewhere, and it's up to each of us to find what that inspiration is. It's your muse—find it and keep it. Inspiration can come from thousands, if not millions of different sources. A few that I have been inspired by include: Life experiences, reading other books (reading about history, geography, mythology etc.), watching a TV program or movie, listening to music, studying any subject under the sun, praying (yes, I pray), looking at a painting or sculpture, a great editor (an absolute MUST for any aspiring writer) having a conversation or receiving a suggestion from someone else (this is how "Wraithsong" came about—from my husband...(wait, he wants me to study and write about these seductive, dangerous, out of this world gorgeous forest maidens...interesting. I'll have to ask him about that later.), exercising, taking a shower, or pondering/meditating. I'm sure you can think of a long list of others. My problem is not coming up with a story I want to write a book about, it's choosing which book I want to write. I find inspiration in so many things it's ridiculous (and my husband can attest to that!) But I believe I find the inspiration because I read and study ALL THE TIME.
So the beginning of any book starts with a dream, something that inspires you and that you want to "bring forth" (Yep, I just said "Bring forth." Ha. Funny. I don't usually say that.) Anyway, first, figure out what you enjoy, what interests you or inspires you, and then pick what you want to write about. Sounds easy enough, right? Just write what you burn for, if not, it's going to be more torture than anyone can handle bringing this book forth. (Said it again—bring forth, didn't I... Maybe it's a sign that it's supposed to be the title of my next book! J/K) Anyway, the previous sentence leads nicely into my next train of thought: Sometimes, the topic picks you, if you know what I mean. I don't know how else to put it, but the idea just pops into my mind and voila! It's there. Oh, and one more thing about this stage. It's a brainstorming session. Don't discard any ideas because you don't know where an idea might lead. Just go with it, and the inspiration will flow. Let it go....Let it go... (Yes, my kids have watched Frozen way too many times) Who cares if any of your ideas sound crazy. This is where you have fun, and where you get to invent whatever you want! (This is by far my favorite part).
Okay...guru Evelyn...onto step two.
The Struggle:
Let's pause for a moment because this is where it gets: Serious (she said with a grave tone of voice). Ok, this is NOT my favorite part because it is tedious and boring and takes foooooreeeever! And it's painful and grueling. I don't understand the authors who say they love the editing stage, because to me, it's pure torture. I'd rather just skip it. But it's like...oh, no! I know what it's like! Having a baby! If you have ever had a baby (naturally or otherwise unnaturally, like there's an unnatural way of having a baby, right? Snort laugh) and are an author, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't had a baby, don't ask, just trust. Ok, I'll give a little detail just so you know what I'm talking about: Dream: Fun for 15 minutes (no need to elaborate XXX). Struggle: pregnant with morning sickness, achy back, sleepless nights, swollen fingers and ankles that look like thighs, kind of stuff. Wait, there's more: Heartburn, allergies, bathroom breaks every five minutes...ugh. Doctor's visits, peeing in cups, scary stuff. Yes, it's a labor of love. And it seems like it will never ever end. It's where you think: what was I thinking? The struggle is where you cut chapters (Kill your darlings), reorganize, re-write, edit, scream, want to throw your computer out the window, ask everyone who is within a few feet of you what they think about this name or this idea, where you rewrite the same sentence twenty plus times and it still doesn't freaking make any freaking sense! ANd then you k=notice how you had had a gazillion typos that you never een saaw before, and how you always use the word 'freaking' and again, what the *@#!&)# was I thinking?
Take a deep breath. You authors out there, I'm sure you're feeling it. Wait, maybe I'm the only one who feels it. This process is different for everyone after all. But like being pregnant, as every mother can attest, the pain is totally worth it. And let me tell you, your books will go from crappy thrown up pieces of (insert the worst possible word you can think about here), and become the book it was supposed to be.
On to step three:
Victory! Your book is done. It feels sooooo good, and you can't wait to share it with the world. All the times you spent on your computer typing away instead of spending time with your friends or your family or going to parties or.... you know what you gave up, and you feel it was worth it. Then your book is out there and then...you get a one star review (the ugly cry comes out). That's another post, too! One where I'll let you know how to deal with people who hate your books. Wait, that sounded like something someone in the Mafia would say (That wasn't a confession, I honestly don't know anyone in the Mafia or if there's even a Mafia anymore.) What I meant to say is: And I'll let you know how to use those one star reviews and become a better writer (True, true, turn lemons into lemonade—cliché, I know, but it works here). But make no mistake, some people will hate your books, so stay calm and write on. Anywhoo. You did it, and you should be very very proud of yourself. How many people can say they wrote a book?
Before wrapping up, let me briefly touch on some advice I read early in my writing career. I really wish I could remember the source I got it from, and I'd definitely give credit to the person who said it first, but I can't remember. But it goes something like this and it works. Every. Single. Time. (I think it is so important that it has graduated to itsownparagraphdom):
If you get stuck, head in a completely different direction.
That's it! I think writer's block has more to do with Writer's Remorse than anything. At some level you know that where you are headed isn't right, and so you tense up and the energy flow stops. In order to correct it and keep going, all you have to do is change it. What I've found is that the inspiration stops when something isn't right. You get stuck, or feel remorse for what you have written. So what do you do? Repent, oh ye sinner! Go back to the beginning of where you get stuck, or a little before that, and rewrite it. Works like a charm! And remember, you can always go exercise or read something else, watch a movie, look at art...whatever inspires you before you do.
One more thing. And this might sound contradictory to what I just said before (I'm full of contradictions. No, I haven't lost my mind): Inspiration comes in waves. Sometimes I get the entire book in the blink of an eye, other times, it comes gradually as I write. But I never have writer's block.
I hope this post can help some authors out there. Just believe in yourself and surround yourself with positive people and things. Life's too short to live in misery and never attain your dreams! Don't let anyone steal your dreams. They're worth pursuing and you are worth attaining what you want!!!
Evelyn
PS: I'd love to hear your thoughts on your writing endeavors and how you bring out your muse!
But before I offer my process, I'd like to divide the process of my writing into three categories. A novel is born through three very basic phases, and those phases are the very phases the book has to go through, the very same story arch the hero has to go through in the book to have their victory. It's a journey with a specific end in mind, and every step takes time and effort.
Here are the three steps:
1. Dream (I want to write a book!)
2. Struggle (I am writing a book, I am editing, rewriting, editing, proof-reading, refining, developing, cutting, tweaking....blah blah blah...on and on)
3. Victory! (the book is finally finished. (I'm so sick of this book I could just barf))
First I'll write about the "Dream":
We all need some sort of inspiration from somewhere, and it's up to each of us to find what that inspiration is. It's your muse—find it and keep it. Inspiration can come from thousands, if not millions of different sources. A few that I have been inspired by include: Life experiences, reading other books (reading about history, geography, mythology etc.), watching a TV program or movie, listening to music, studying any subject under the sun, praying (yes, I pray), looking at a painting or sculpture, a great editor (an absolute MUST for any aspiring writer) having a conversation or receiving a suggestion from someone else (this is how "Wraithsong" came about—from my husband...(wait, he wants me to study and write about these seductive, dangerous, out of this world gorgeous forest maidens...interesting. I'll have to ask him about that later.), exercising, taking a shower, or pondering/meditating. I'm sure you can think of a long list of others. My problem is not coming up with a story I want to write a book about, it's choosing which book I want to write. I find inspiration in so many things it's ridiculous (and my husband can attest to that!) But I believe I find the inspiration because I read and study ALL THE TIME.
So the beginning of any book starts with a dream, something that inspires you and that you want to "bring forth" (Yep, I just said "Bring forth." Ha. Funny. I don't usually say that.) Anyway, first, figure out what you enjoy, what interests you or inspires you, and then pick what you want to write about. Sounds easy enough, right? Just write what you burn for, if not, it's going to be more torture than anyone can handle bringing this book forth. (Said it again—bring forth, didn't I... Maybe it's a sign that it's supposed to be the title of my next book! J/K) Anyway, the previous sentence leads nicely into my next train of thought: Sometimes, the topic picks you, if you know what I mean. I don't know how else to put it, but the idea just pops into my mind and voila! It's there. Oh, and one more thing about this stage. It's a brainstorming session. Don't discard any ideas because you don't know where an idea might lead. Just go with it, and the inspiration will flow. Let it go....Let it go... (Yes, my kids have watched Frozen way too many times) Who cares if any of your ideas sound crazy. This is where you have fun, and where you get to invent whatever you want! (This is by far my favorite part).
Okay...guru Evelyn...onto step two.
The Struggle:
Let's pause for a moment because this is where it gets: Serious (she said with a grave tone of voice). Ok, this is NOT my favorite part because it is tedious and boring and takes foooooreeeever! And it's painful and grueling. I don't understand the authors who say they love the editing stage, because to me, it's pure torture. I'd rather just skip it. But it's like...oh, no! I know what it's like! Having a baby! If you have ever had a baby (naturally or otherwise unnaturally, like there's an unnatural way of having a baby, right? Snort laugh) and are an author, you know exactly what I'm talking about. If you haven't had a baby, don't ask, just trust. Ok, I'll give a little detail just so you know what I'm talking about: Dream: Fun for 15 minutes (no need to elaborate XXX). Struggle: pregnant with morning sickness, achy back, sleepless nights, swollen fingers and ankles that look like thighs, kind of stuff. Wait, there's more: Heartburn, allergies, bathroom breaks every five minutes...ugh. Doctor's visits, peeing in cups, scary stuff. Yes, it's a labor of love. And it seems like it will never ever end. It's where you think: what was I thinking? The struggle is where you cut chapters (Kill your darlings), reorganize, re-write, edit, scream, want to throw your computer out the window, ask everyone who is within a few feet of you what they think about this name or this idea, where you rewrite the same sentence twenty plus times and it still doesn't freaking make any freaking sense! ANd then you k=notice how you had had a gazillion typos that you never een saaw before, and how you always use the word 'freaking' and again, what the *@#!&)# was I thinking?
Take a deep breath. You authors out there, I'm sure you're feeling it. Wait, maybe I'm the only one who feels it. This process is different for everyone after all. But like being pregnant, as every mother can attest, the pain is totally worth it. And let me tell you, your books will go from crappy thrown up pieces of (insert the worst possible word you can think about here), and become the book it was supposed to be.
On to step three:
Victory! Your book is done. It feels sooooo good, and you can't wait to share it with the world. All the times you spent on your computer typing away instead of spending time with your friends or your family or going to parties or.... you know what you gave up, and you feel it was worth it. Then your book is out there and then...you get a one star review (the ugly cry comes out). That's another post, too! One where I'll let you know how to deal with people who hate your books. Wait, that sounded like something someone in the Mafia would say (That wasn't a confession, I honestly don't know anyone in the Mafia or if there's even a Mafia anymore.) What I meant to say is: And I'll let you know how to use those one star reviews and become a better writer (True, true, turn lemons into lemonade—cliché, I know, but it works here). But make no mistake, some people will hate your books, so stay calm and write on. Anywhoo. You did it, and you should be very very proud of yourself. How many people can say they wrote a book?
Before wrapping up, let me briefly touch on some advice I read early in my writing career. I really wish I could remember the source I got it from, and I'd definitely give credit to the person who said it first, but I can't remember. But it goes something like this and it works. Every. Single. Time. (I think it is so important that it has graduated to itsownparagraphdom):
If you get stuck, head in a completely different direction.
That's it! I think writer's block has more to do with Writer's Remorse than anything. At some level you know that where you are headed isn't right, and so you tense up and the energy flow stops. In order to correct it and keep going, all you have to do is change it. What I've found is that the inspiration stops when something isn't right. You get stuck, or feel remorse for what you have written. So what do you do? Repent, oh ye sinner! Go back to the beginning of where you get stuck, or a little before that, and rewrite it. Works like a charm! And remember, you can always go exercise or read something else, watch a movie, look at art...whatever inspires you before you do.
One more thing. And this might sound contradictory to what I just said before (I'm full of contradictions. No, I haven't lost my mind): Inspiration comes in waves. Sometimes I get the entire book in the blink of an eye, other times, it comes gradually as I write. But I never have writer's block.
I hope this post can help some authors out there. Just believe in yourself and surround yourself with positive people and things. Life's too short to live in misery and never attain your dreams! Don't let anyone steal your dreams. They're worth pursuing and you are worth attaining what you want!!!
Evelyn
PS: I'd love to hear your thoughts on your writing endeavors and how you bring out your muse!
