Finding Inspiration

   It's hard to write. I've always known that, but it is becoming more prominent as I go on with this "writing challenge." I have an extensive imagination... so why is it so hard to create ideas. I tell you, it's ridiculous. There are two genres I have never written before... science fiction and romance (I mainly write about everyday things, I need change!). I'd love to write these and I really want to. But something is holding me back on each.

SciFi - I can't think of ideas. Any I have I cannot go into detail on how such a fantasy can
           exist. But, perhaps there doesn't HAVE to be one.
Romance - I just can't bring myself to write such smut. It would be fun, but too sappy.

   And so, if I come to such drawbacks or writers block, I try to find inspiration. That's not hard - it's everywhere. So I am here to tell you where to find it. Click 'read more'.

1. Everyday life! Seriously. Just look around you. What's happening, does it make a good story? If not, change it a bit so it does. A great genre from life is humour.
2. Dreams! Wacky, off beat, odd, fun, horrific, challenging, mysterious, happy, sad... it's a whole plethora of ideas that you can turn into stories. If it doesn't make any sense, change it... or don't, it doesn't matter. There are many nonsensical stories.
3. Books! Other people's work inspires me a lot! Mainly Neil Gaiman and Ernest Hemingway. Gaiman is just a wonderful writer, fantasy mainly, and a writing style I wish I had. Hemingway (which is now my nickname due to how I write) is an every-man writer which is brilliant. I admit, I only began reading him because I was told I write like him. He has added to my writer's rules, to be found in my next blog post.
4. Okay, here's the major one. Websites! Go to websites that have prompts and story ideas if you are really, really stuck. I have gone to some to get ideas for SciFi, and let me just say, it's great! A whole flood of ideas are available. Do I recommend using those exact ideas? No. Change them up into your own idea. I got two from prompt sites I will be using...
   • A man jumps off a building's top floor, finding he is virtually indestructible.
   • The world is a science experiment performed by aliens. (special thanks to dad's theories)

So... try it. Songs or movies can work, too. Being out in nature is refreshing and revives the mind, and also gives good ideas too. Or, just go to a quiet place and sit, think, and let your mind run. If nothing, try something that best suits you - even a hobby!

A reminder that I update the writing challenge progress bar on the homepage everytime I make a blog post or add something to the site. Current words: 10, 274 out of 30, 000 (34%)