I think every creative person is familiar with “The Block.” Whether you write novels or song lyrics, make short films or draw illustrations, we’ve all encountered that halting sensation that keeps us from moving forward in our creative process. Or, worse, prevents us from even starting a new project in the first place. We feel the desire to create yet nothing is coming out. We stare at the empty page, the blank screen, or down the lens of a camera and we see nothing.
Perhaps the most unfortunate case is that of the creator, who cannot think of anything to create.
Given this common phenomenon, I wanted to share some things I do to come up with new ideas. Whether you’re at the inception of a creative endeavor, but are unsure how to proceed, or at the end and have no idea how to finish what you’ve started, I’m hoping you can refer to the list I’ve created below for some ideas on how you can find inspiration and kick start your imagination.
Clear your head.
Ironically, the issue may not actually be that there’s nothing in your head, but rather that there’s too much. How does that saying go…something about a forest?
The fact of the matter is, sometimes we get too involved in the planning and/or execution of a project, and it’s necessary for us to step away. By creating some distance between ourselves and said endeavor, we are allowing space for new ideas to come to us.
The process of clearing one’s head isn’t going to be the same for everyone, however I’ve often come up with plot ideas, character arcs, or sentences, while out on a walk, taking a shower, or even just laying down and getting some rest. In fact, I once was so overwhelmed with inspiration the moment before I was about to fall asleep, that I jumped out of bed, wrote for hours, and ended up finishing a novel.
I’ve found that inspiration can often follow the metaphorical complexities of a romantic relationship; that is to say, when I’m relaxed and not trying to force it to happen, the ideas often find their way to me on their own. Perhaps this could work for you as well.
Watch YouTube Videos.
Ok, I know what you’re thinking, but hear me out.
While many view social media sites as distractions that impede creativity, I find that spending some time browsing through YouTube often inspires me. For starters, seeing other people producing creative content and living a creative lifestyle really encourages me to put more energy into my own work. Seeing other people being creative simply gets my creative juices flowing.
Additionally, YouTube is full of endless knowledge. If what’s hindering you from working on your project is a lack in understanding regarding technique and fundamentals, you can always look to YouTube for these answers, where there’s a plethora of “how to” videos and tutorials. There’s information for all kinds of creative practices, from photography and cinematography, to website design and song writing, and everything else in between.
So, I do believe that YouTube and even other social media sites can be helpful to your creative process in this regard, as long as you don’t let it distract you.
Read.
This one may be more beneficial to writers, however I wanted to include it because, for me, it always works without fail.
Whenever I’m having writers block or I want to start writing something new and I’m not sure how to begin, I always pick up a book.
While you’re reading you can take note of the kind of themes that get you excited; the types of stories you like to read and how the author goes about executing them, studying things like dialogue, plot, and sentence structure. In other words, it can be useful for a writer to have an example of good writing to help spark some creativity.
That being said, I believe that people who are pursuing other creative endeavors can find that reading helps as well. Stories and imagination are inherently interlocked in a way that not many other mediums can replicate, and because of this, reading stories can be a surefire way to unlock anyone’s creativity.
However, your reading doesn’t have to be solely focused on works of fiction. Reading poetry or song lyrics or a powerful autobiography could easily have a similar inspirational affect. Not to mention reading “how to” books and other nonfiction could provide some information that is imperative to what you’re trying to accomplish. For example, if you’re trying to start a blog, reading a book on how to do that could be very useful.
Bottomline: just pick up a book and read, and I think you’ll be surprised by what it inspires you to create.
Put on a Movie.
Another place to find inspiration is through film.
Watching movies or television is a great way to get ideas or get into a creative “zone.” Taking note to the way a movie is put together and paying close attention to the themes and symbolism of a film can inspire you and give you more ideas for your own work. For example, if you’re a writer, analyzing the story structure and dialogue in a film can be very useful to your own craft. Or, if you’re into cinematography, studying the stylistic choices of a film, such as camera angles and lighting, can be helpful as you begin to tackle your own piece.
Ultimately, films are stories just like books are, and it’s through stories like these that we tap into our imagination. So, don’t think that watching movies or TV is simply a procrastination tactic, instead be open to critically observing film and using it as a way to aid your creativity and support your vision.
Listen to Music.
I find that listening to music really helps me come up with story ideas.
The comforting nature of music relaxes me and allows me to disassociate from reality. Whenever I’m listening to a melody, an image begins to form in my mind, often in the form of dialogue, character interaction, or the setting of an unknown scene. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened to a “heartbreak anthem” and began to see the toxic relationship play out in my mind. Everyone is different, of course, but it’s worth exploring the stories and melodies in music to see if listening can unlock your imagination in a similar way.
Listening to music while you work can also be useful, as it can help you come up with new ideas as you go or serve as a kind of “white noise” that allows you to focus on your craft, shutting out the noises the rest of the world brings.
So, try listening to music if you’re stuck and see if it helps move things along for you.
Pay attention to what’s happening, what people are saying, and create art that reflects the voice of the moment.
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Another thing that can aid you when you’re lacking inspiration is simply paying attention to your surroundings. On a small scale, taking note of the habits of your neighbors, paying attention to the interactions between your family members, or just listening in on the conversations happening within your community, can provide a lot of insights for your own creative projects. And on a larger scale, staying in touch with the current events and issues of our time is sure to influence you in some way.
Consider our current reality: we are living amongst a viral coronavirus pandemic and a modern-day civil rights movement. I personally feel that paying attention to what’s happening and even participating in it can benefit your artistic process. Instead of simply being overwhelmed by the present state of our world, we can take it all in, acknowledge our feelings, and express these feelings through our art. Not only can we do this, but it’s my assertion that it’s necessary to do this.
Creating art about issues plaguing our society, like, for example, racism and police brutality, and sharing that with others is essential to social advancement. Consider revolutions of the past, where art was heavily relied upon to provide information, insight, or as an expression of the oppressed, showing up in propaganda posters, thought-provoking paintings and pieces of prose. And now more than ever people are turning to Black literature as a means of understanding and contextualizing the issues that are happening today. Don’t be afraid to be apart of this.
Pay attention to what’s happening, what people are saying, and create art that reflects the voice of the moment. As for me, I’ve seen more inspiring things in the last few months than I’ve seen possibly in the last decade, and I’m sure the events of this year will influence my work for years to come.
Just get started.
My final point is to just get started: write that short story or create that painting even if you feel like you are out of ideas or don’t have a clear sense of how to start. Just begin moving the pencil along the paper, typing the keys, or touching paint to canvas.
Sometimes we feel like we can’t get started on our creative project until the idea is one hundred percent “there” and everything is planned out. However, often ideas formulate once we are in the process of working. Some will say that they don’t even believe in inspiration at all and that it’s pointless to sit around waiting for it when you could be working instead. For example, Jack London, a novelist, journalist, and social activist is quoted as saying, “You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” Famous painter Pablo Picasso said that, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working,” and well-known horror writer Stephen King believes that, “amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.”
Of course, these are rather strong opinions, and I don’t completely agree with all of them. I still believe there are many things you can do to kick start your imagination; however, I do agree that if none of the things you’ve been trying are producing any tangible results, then at a certain point you have to face that you’re simply procrastinating, and it’s probably best to just jump right in.
Conclusion.
This concludes my short list of things that inspire me to create, but the truth is, the list could go on forever. Everyone is inspired by different things, and the key is to discover what works best for you and run with it. The fact is, inspiration is all around us; it’s not hiding. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the form of art, textbooks, social media or current events, the only thing that matters is that you’re receptive to it.
Simply put: to find inspiration, you must be open to being inspired.
Are you?
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