Write anyway.
Open up that laptop, or grab a pen. Write whatever comes to your mind, even if it’s terrible, even if it doesn’t have anything to do with your current work in progress.
Dash the words down as quickly as you can; don’t over analyse, don’t doubt or question yourself. Listen to that voice at the back of your mind. Allow it to sing.
Write something, anything.
Write down inspired quotes or lines from your favourite novel, the ones you wish you had written. Even the act of writing can be enough to inspire you.
Make notes. They don’t have to make sense, or even be whole sentences. Jot down phrases or glimpses of an idea. Note down your character’s hair colour or the way the light reaches their eyes when they smile.
Dialogue, stream of consciousness, poetry, song lyrics – get them all down on paper.
Choose a word, just one word. A word that means something, that epitomises the life you want to lead, your ambitions. Write it down.
Curl up under a blanket and work out the drama of the day in your journal. Write down the parts you want to remember. Keep them for yourself alone; no one else has to see.
Dream about words; imagine them, construct sentences in your mind. Let them blossom in your subconscious until you’re ready to let them out into the world.
And, if all else fails…
Read.
Sara Strauss says
LOVE this!! “Write anyway.” Made me laugh! I find it easier to not analyze my writing when I put pen to paper instead of fingers to keyboard!
~Sara
Amy Lord says
Thanks Sara, glad you enjoyed it!
Eleanor says
When I opened this post I expected to read a list of writing tips instead I found “write anyway” much more inspiring! Thank you.
Amy Lord says
Glad you liked it, Eleanor, and thank you!