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Do you want to write, but find no ideas springing forth? Sometimes it is difficult to get your writing engine started. When you find your creative muse has left town, try a few of these ideas to inspire its return.

Respond, refute
Get the paper, grab a few magazines and head to your favorite chair. Take some time to see what others are writing. Do you agree? Disagree? Are you drawn to the article for one reason or the other, yet feel there was more to say, areas left uncovered?

You have a couple of avenues open to you as your thoughts start flowing. You can respond or refute the article with the same publication, realizing that the topic is obviously one the editor feels worth publishing. Or, you might take the subject to a new market, with the knowledge that the topic holds current interest.

When several letters to the editor were submitted from both sides of the fence regarding the nativity scene placed at the town entrance, I was able to get my point across without upsetting those pro or con with my column, “Is the snowman politically correct?” The town had a good laugh and the fury dissipated as my response allowed all sides to back down and carry on with Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, or plain, wonderful winter.

Get away from yourself
Do you ever get so bored with the same old thoughts, words and themes that your brain continually kicks out? I do. When I find that I have nothing new in the noggin, I go hang with those who are so completely different from me, that I can not help but become completely engaged or entirely opposed by their views.

You might find this straight-laced gal kicking back a drink at the local bar, lifting weights with brawn-builders or skating on the frozen pond with teenagers.

Allowing others’ ideas to ferment or fester inside gives you new things to write about. Plus, you get the total benefit of adding some spice into your life.

Change stations
This works, it really does, though it sounds wacky. When I am absolutely without word power, usually within an hour of a deadline, I crank it.

Turning from the serene background-supposed-to-relax-and-inspire-you music, I up the volume to something I can swing around the house to. It usually only takes a few minutes of aerobic singing, clapping and dancing to get the old synapses charging and ready to fire off the article needed in record time.

Reverse direction
Another great way to find the words for what you want to write is to start with everything you do not want to write. Let’s say you are assigned to write about the local thresher’s festival (as I was my first month as a professional writer). When you haven’t a clue how to begin and are unsure of direction, write what you know you absolutely do not want in the article. List it.

Don’t want: definition of threshing, history of threshing, what thresher’s do and why, death of a tradition

Once you have written out your list of what you do NOT want in the article, your brain will not be able to stop itself from thinking of all the opposites, and you will suddenly be free to write the article needed.

If all else fails, stand on your head. It may not help, but at least you’ll get the blood flowing. J