Inspiration: Away from the Laptop

At the moment I’m on my laptop all the time. All my endeavours at the moment seem to require me to be at a desk with my eyes on a screen and my hands, pianist like, on the keyboard. Sometimes, you need to step away from whatever writing task you’re working on and give your writing brain a rest. I’ve come up with a few ways you can work on your writing project away from your computer.

• A creative playlist. Getting in the mood to write can be aided by music. You might choose songs about success and winning when you’re trying to reach the end of something. For something more tailor made you could choose songs that reflect the mood of what you’re working on. Would your heartbroken character be listening to the mournful tones of Billie Holiday? What song best encapsulates the argument X and Y have in your play? Over time the music alone will get you into the right headspace for your project.
• Make a map of your novel or play. Trace the journey of the narrative from beginning to end, marking the various milestones on the way. Add pictures and quotations from your writings. Look at the map when you’re feeling lost to remind yourself of where you’re going.
• Image board. Create a board of pictures inspired by your story. Find images of places that look like your setting, people who look like your characters and significant objects that appear in your story. As a visual thinker, it always helps me to ‘see’ how my story looks. Glancing over your image board will remind you of what you’re trying to capture.
• A day out. Collecting ideas and inspiration is an ongoing process.  A great way to get a fresh perspective on your project is to take an outing to somewhere that connects to your book. For example, if you’re writing a wartime novel you could visit the Imperial War Museum. If your story is set on the Cornish coast take yourself there for the day and immerse yourself in the environment. Get curious about lectures, exhibitions and outings that remind you of why you fell in love with your subject matter. 
• Tidy your workspace. Give your writing space a de-clutter to refresh your environment and mind. Don’t forget to post an inspiring quote or picture where you can see it on your desk.
• Retail therapy for writers. Go shopping for your character.  When you hit the shops have in mind a particular character and look out for things that might appeal to them. Thinking about the objects your characters surrounds themselves with, will give you plenty of insight. Why does your character demand fresh flowers every week? Why is your protagonist taking a slimming aid? Make a study of a particular object as a starting place for writing.

I hope these activities recharge your batteries and leave you feeling refreshed and re-inspired to get writing again. Let me know how you get on...