My imagination is a bit of a tsunami. It's flooded with ideas, a sea of half thought out concepts which washes over my consciousness. My brain is continuously paddling this storm, sifting through the flotsam and jetsam of 'what-if' scenarios, trying to piece the wreckage together to form some kind of recognisable plot worthy craft. I'm often accused of not paying attention to real life, this isn't something I do knowingly, or maliciously, it’s just the way I'm wired. I seldom experience the dreaded Writer's block, however the few times I have near faltered, I have found the following a helpful star to see me through to calmer shores...
- Relax a Little: no really, I mean it. Writing should always flow out of you, not be dragged kicking and screaming. If you find resistance in your work, simply stop what you're doing and chill a little. Go for a walk, spend time with your family, or play a game - anything to take your mind off writing.
- Be Inspired: obvious as it sounds, you need to fill your mind with ideas you can use as a springboard. Inspiration can be found anywhere and in anyone. Try to channel this energy and turn it towards a positive creative output. Remember to use your inspiration wisely - don't imitate it, draw from it.
- Let it Stew: you don't have to be writing continuously, you're not some kind of writing machine sent back from the future to type away as much as possible. Ideas should be allowed to brew, tasted and if needed, added to in order to create depth. The first idea you have may very well be the best, but the longer you let it ferment, the more potent the result.
- Listen to Music: nothing gets me through a difficult writing moment like music. I will adjust my song choice to match the particular scene I’m writing. If all else fails, turn off the computer and just listen to some music. There is always tomorrow.
- Watch a Film: I would choose a good film over a good book any day of the week. Why? I want grow as a comic writer into writing screenplays, and for me that means making films my second home. I want to understand how a scene has been shot in a particular way in order to translate that back onto the page. Movies are a great visual stimulus for crafting tone and dialogue. I sometimes find books a hinderance, forcing me to compare my own writing to what I'm reading. For me, films are immediate, digestible and inspires me when I need that extra creative hit.
- Switch Genres: try writing for a different demographic. Step out of your comfort zone and give your mind a different challenge for a while. Most of the comics artists I know spend an hour or so on warm up sketches. If you have the time, this principle shouldn't be any different for a writer. Experiment with short form stories or poems before embarking on heavier writing.
- Enjoy it: writing should give you a buzz, an endorphin rush like no other. Capture that enjoyment of writing, remember this is about you creating something. It doesn’t matter what other people think of it, what matters is that you finish what you started with a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
If you need any more help - I'm always on Twitter @AndiEwington
Image is from a story I wrote called 'Tooth + Nail' - Art by Calum Alexander Watt