What Do You to Find Inspiration and Creative Energy?

1. 61

   jdescheneposted 15 years ago

   The subject line just about says it.  I've been at a bit of a loss lately.  Some of the things I usually use, such as free/automatic writing are beginning to bore me.  Any suggestions?

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      My Inner Jewposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      it finds me when it is ready...it usually hits me when i get to thinking about or dwelling on the moments in life that i am really passionate about

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      Sonrisa Soleadaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Someone suggested playing a game online. I'd suggest joining Gaiaonline.com or any rpg site. I get so many story ideas from the threads there.

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      mohitmisraposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Meditation and contemplation.

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      anjalichughposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well, what works for me does not have to work for you. I close my eyes and relax till my mind gets emptied of all the crap stored in there. Music really helps in such moments. I feel totally energized by the time I open my eyes.

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      goldenpathposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Exercise!!  I find that going to the fitness center or going for a jog often triggers new thought processes.

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2. 73

   thranaxposted 15 years ago

   Whenever I can't write or think I do some pointless thing, like watch tv or play a game online. Sometimes I take a break from it for a week or two.
   
   I also post on forums, like I am now because I get to write because someone else motivates the response XD makes it easy.

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   GK16posted 15 years ago

   Hi, it can be difficult but one should not give up. Taking a small break will help. Do something else you enjoy. Relax. Then you will be able to get back on track. Goood Luck!

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   mohitmisraposted 15 years ago

   Meditate and contemplate.

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      jonmark222posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's right.

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5. 87

   Squimpletonposted 15 years ago

   Well I get my inspiration from newspapers sometimes. Whether they make me happy or mad, many articles make me feel something, and that something can result in a new article/hub.
   
   There's also TV and video games, they can provide with loads of inspiration - or another tactic is to stumble for ideas, or go to Wiki's random article link. These can help you figure out what to write about next.
   Let's see...what else..going to Helium's Rate can also get your opinions going since you're rating two articles about a topic. If you agree/disagree or simply go off in thought, there's a hub topic waiting to happen.
   
   Also, I have 2 hubs with 26 topic ideas each if you're really blocked

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6. 79

   Earl S. Wynnposted 15 years ago

   I usually get out of the house and go for a walk, or take a break and watch a movie, usually with pen and paper nearby in case I get an idea.
   
   And then sometimes when it gets really bad, I just go somewhere totally different than usual and forget about writing altogether for a little while. Then, when I come back home and see my desk, I can usually sit down and go again.
   
   Oh, and wikipedia or Stumbleupon. Just keep hitting the randomizer and see where it takes you. Helps sometimes.

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   Lidianposted 15 years ago

   I plunge into learning about/ getting into a totally different topic, either new to me or something I haven't got into for awhile.
   
   Going for a run can really help me too. Just getting away from the desk.
   
   Or just allowing myself to write ANYTHING. SOmetimes I get bored because i am restricting/editing myself too much.

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      livewithrichardposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is what I do too.  When I come accross a hub for instance that is completely outside my scope of knowledge and it is written clearly, I find myself wanting to find more info and I don't stop until I think I have enough. Then I compile it and share it.
      
      Lately, I've been on a mission to find the best and most successful ways to promote my writing and my hubs. Everything from SEO to generating traffic and it's starting to pay off.  I'm working on my self promotion hub now and should have it ready by the end of the weekend.  I have a lot of good stuff to share.

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8. 59

   mothermiaposted 15 years ago

   i find a lot inspiration where i live..i just look out at nature and my surroundings and it can come easly..but i havent writing anything in a while..you could say im in a hole and digging out isnt so easy to do..so for now im chilling on the computer and watching t.v...i have over 10 childrens books waiting on the self for something to do...

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   Pete Michnerposted 15 years ago

   I go to the library.

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10. 89

    Paragliderposted 15 years ago

    Sometimes looking through old photographs can be a trigger. They don't have to be yours, in fact it's better if they're not. You can then make up an accompanying text.

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    geminitwinposted 15 years ago

    I do quilting, sewing, gardening, music. Lots of things interest me and keep me busy.

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    dabblingmumposted 15 years ago

    I've never been good at being inspired simply for the sake of being inspired. I usually need a task in mind. However, I was editing some photos I took recently and I was truly inspired to think about using them to create art. Now if only I could actually draw!

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    Nickny79posted 14 years ago

    I look at a beautiful naked woman and smoke a cigar.

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    scheinandrasposted 14 years ago

    i go and see friends:)

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    \Brenda Scullyposted 14 years ago

    you only need to look at the threads from the last few days to see what folks on here do...... eat chocolate mostly...
    
    seriously, listen to music...

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       dennisemattposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       ha ha..chocolate...wine and..err...showers... 

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16. 58

    Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

    I listen to the birds and squirrels they gossip lots jus kidding, lol ...sorry I usually get ideas from listening to the news, music, small talk, reading, eaves dropping on my sons, lol

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    fierycjposted 14 years ago

    Music and Movies always do it for me. But I'm a madman sometimes, really. I could sit and just listen to a song like say, Walking On A Dream By Empire Of The Sun and Boom, I'm in it, and not just me, but its like I immerse my characters in the song as well. Like my characters start living in the midst of this music score I created. Its crazy, I can't even explain it. I wrote a hub about it though. "The Taste: Books and Movies" you might wanna check it out.

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18. 69

    cindyvineposted 14 years ago

    Dennisematt, you've been visiting our chocolate thread on the religion forum!

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       dennisemattposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       ha ha ha. I like choclate too. not a big fan of jogging tho...

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19. 58

    AsherKadeposted 14 years ago

    I watch people, drives my spouse crazy. I don't stare at them like I'm nuts, but I make myself find something interesting about even the most ordinary people, in the most ordinary of places. For example, even in my hick town where everyone is pretty much the same race, you can still find at least ONE feature that pops out.I focus on it and make a little story in my mind about it. I may jot down those thoughts for later inspiration.If all else fails, make the ordinary SUPER ORDINARY. You would be amazed how that in turn makes something extraordinary!

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20. 61

    Prince Mosesposted 14 years ago

    From a bush that was on fire but did not burn.

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21. 0

    liminalposted 14 years ago

    I look deep into my past and I focus on moments that may not have been pleasant, but that affected me and still do down through the years. It's not always fun, but it works!

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    Drew Breezzyposted 14 years ago

    feed off emotions

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    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    People watching. Especially at book stores. I was sitting in the medicine section studying for an anatomy test. It was right next to the psychotherapy section... I could write forever about people. I live in South Florida, where there is an amazing diversity of people.

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    Leta Sposted 14 years ago

    It's kind of a goal orientation thing at times, for me. 
    
    Other times, it's allowing myself to just drift, walk, sit by an ocean or a river (it's been proven people are more creative next to water) and just let thoughts flow...and experiment, whether in writing or drawing/painting.
    
    Both are necessary modes, I think--and play off each other.

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25. 61

    lxxyposted 14 years ago

    I actually don't have much creative energy, so much as a bunch of random ideas constantly colliding and permutating.
    
    At any given point, I'll grab one from the stream of conscious and mess with it until it's good and bruised.
    
    Then it becomes something, like a Hub.

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    scheinandrasposted 14 years ago

    I often play on my bass to get to the mood to paint:)

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    my-success-guruposted 14 years ago

    I get in touch with nature where I feel totally connected- totally peaceful Sometimes I get a lot of my inspiration from music but the biggest inspiration is from the woman I love

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    mirandalloydposted 14 years ago

    I'm writing a novel, so when I've got a scene or situation that I can't think of how to develop properly, I get out some tarot cards. Silly, I know. But I throw down a random card and use that as a jumpstart. Other times, I take what has been going on in my own life and have that happen to one of my characters. Subtly. Self-insertion never gets anyone very far.

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    Beth100posted 14 years ago

    Meditation, hiking through the woods, running, time with my horses and listening to my friends.  If I'm really stuck (like I have been this past 3 weeks...) I usually take a short vacation and get back to nature (no internet or cell phone). Hmm...maybe I'll disappear for the next few weeks.... lol    Good luck!

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30. 57

    jDesignerposted 14 years ago

    I browse inspiration sites on daily basis.

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31. 0

    Hack Retisposted 14 years ago

    Generally I walk away from reality for awhile and wait to see what's changed when I've come back.

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32. 58

    anapurmaposted 13 years ago

    I wrote a couple of e-books (in Polish language). When I am writing the e-book I do not have the whole story ready in my mind. It comes slowly, chapter after chapter (sometimes I make some correct in my chapter's order).
    When I have found some idea and I can not to write it down at this moment I am always trying to tell it over and over in my mind. What I have got by doing that? When I am sitting down to write my story - it is currently smooth and clear. Obviously better than a story which came to mind and appear on paper instantly.

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    Ashukahposted 13 years ago

    I usually listen to music, look at DeviantArt, and maybe even do some physical activity such as swimming.
    
    These all help me, anyway!

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    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    Imaginative thought.

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       Ashukahposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Imagination is a must have too!

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          Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Trust me, I have a vivid imagination.

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    Precious Williamsposted 13 years ago

    I read a newspaper,especially the letters page.  I always set myself to find five new topics every day.  Sometimes it's only five, but often it's many more. This way I get lots of ideas that I would never have thought of.

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    waynetposted 13 years ago

    I have a five knuckle shuffle and just chill out away from writing and then come back refreshed, although with a stiff wrist!

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       goldenpathposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Oh, so you roll up newspapers for the paper route.  That's a very intriguing idea......... yeah.....     

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       Kathryn LJposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I hope you anti-bac your keyboard regularly, you  mucky pup!

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          waynetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          hahaha lol!

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37. 0

    Kathryn LJposted 13 years ago

    I keep a scrap book of stuff I find in newspapers.  Some examples are - a knitting pattern for a Hitler doll.
          An obituary for a dentist who had an automatic locking front 
          door, so his patients couldn't change their mind.
          An 80 year old woman who applied for a pole dancers job and         claimed she was being unfairly discounted because of her age.
         With stuff like this in the real world, it's hard to get writers block!

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    love2scrapposted 13 years ago

    I just take a break and stop putting so much pressure on myself. Taking a walk or looking through beautiful photos is usually enough to get me started again.

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    heart4thewordposted 13 years ago

    Sometimes, it seems I don't find time...I have to make time.  So glad when I do, because I have more energy, and want to do more:)  When I think about it, there are times, where something or someone has inspired me, to create a new design or item.  Then I just want to get it done, to see the end result:)

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