It's not all the time when you experience a eureka moment. Sometimes your mind is blank, void of any ideas. It is devastating, especially when you've already settled yourself in front of your computer screen, fingers scattered over the keys, all set to start putting words in order. But nothing comes to mind, and you face what's commonly known as a writer's block. It's like you were in the mood to write something, only you have no idea what it is you want to write, and now you feel down with disappointment and your mood for writing just goes poof.
Sometimes it's a different case. You sit down in front of your screen, your fingers start moving from one key to the other, actually start putting words after words until you just stop. Your words are cut off. Your train of thoughts breaks down. Your flow of ideas just stops flowing. And the last minutes of inspiration are long gone like they never even existed. So instead of having written 200 words in 5 minutes, you're now writing only 50 words in 8 minutes.
So, you start analyzing several factors that might be the reason for your rusty mind. These factors are variable of course and are relative to each individual writer. However, it is possible to narrow them down into specific categories: Place, time, atmosphere. Because you do not get inspired everyday and everywhere, your mind tends to find peace when being put within specific "zones" where it can relax and experience an easy flow of ideas. And I decided to call them Zones of Inspiration and here's a list.
My List of Different Zones of Inspiration
That May or May Not Vary
From One Writer to Another:
1. Place
I'm not a big outside person. Most of the time, if I'm not in university, or out with friends, I'm cuddled up in my bed under my blanket with a warm cup of coffee. (basic af but who can blame me?) However, sometimes, and I mean SOMEtimes, I feel like I'm missing a bit of color, and so I take it upon myself to leave the safety of my bed and just go out. Maybe I just stop at the balcony of my house, and that's good enough. The air by itself is a different vibe. On other occasions, I can go out of my way and spend an hour or two at my local coffee shop, or at a park, or maybe a library just to be surrounded by it all. Either way, you do you. But it's essential to find the right place for that bit of inspo.
2. Time
Usually, I write in the evenings, and the most amount of words come out of me at midnight, when my head becomes the most clouded with thoughts and ideas. I might be falling asleep at a certain hour, but if an idea simply flashes through my mind, I can jump out my bed to jog it down so I don't forget it. Maybe the Notes on my phone does the job just fine, so that'd be enough.
The next morning, with last night's idea still fresh in my head, I can grab myself some coffee and start putting it into my writing with the sun rising high and hot in the AM.
Another habit that I've grown recently, is carrying a notebook wherever I go. This helps since you never know when that genius idea is going to just pop out, so it's always handy to have it on you.
3. Atmosphere
It’s all about getting into the vibe. Perhaps you're all in for some BGM. Actually, studies have proven that listening to certain music like Mozart can make you more productive. Even if you're not a fan of classics, you can always try listening to music that has no words. And for those of us who like lyrics, listen to something not in the language you're writing in. If you're writing in English, listening to English songs can lower your ability to focus since your brain is simultaneously interpreting the words of the song as you write, so you might end up actually writing the lyrics.
Snacks. Need I say more?
Or simply put yourself in a working atmosphere, where everyone is being productive, and that can motivate you to start working as well. Places that fit that category can be libraries, coffee shops, etc (going back to category 1 once again.)
Tip #5: So, I didn't exactly say anything new. It's really subjective to each writer. But if you're facing a writer's block, try to change your ways because sometimes your inspiration does not lie within the limits of your bedroom, you know?
ns 64.252.185.142da2
