When you are trying to write something creative, sometime you have get your mind thinking in different ways. You can see my complete article here: http://www.david-duval.com/articles/Activating_the_Creative_Mind.html But it would be great if people could add some of their ideas to the list. Some of this may seem strange, but that is part of what we do sometimes to get our creative juices flowing: 1. Thinking about the day ahead of you, what are some ways you could make this day different, even if in small ways? Here are some small things you might consider: 1. Say hello to a couple of strangers you pass 2. Take a different route to your next destination. 3. Go to a room a room or closet in your house that you rarely visit and see what's there. 4. Think of some exercise or stretch that you haven't done in a long time and try it right now. 5. Look in your closet and find an article of clothing you haven't worn in a long time, and see if you can put it with an outfit in a way that you like, and wear it today. 6. Find a book on the bookshelf and read something randomly from it, and then look deeper on the internet about this topic 7. Go outside right now and take a walk, but take route you haven't tried before. 8. Look in your phone list, and find someone you haven't called in a long time, and call them now. 9. Look through your music collection, and play a song you haven't heard in a long time. Go over to last.fm and see what else is related. 10. Get your camera, and take a few photographs of something around you 11. Sing a song right now. 12. Go into your kitchen pantry and look in the back. What is there? Could you make something with it? 13. Play a song and dance to it right now. 14. Is there somewhere you could go today that is different and cool? (Planetarium, Library, Park, Rock Climbing, Special Building) 15. Find the highest building in your area, and see if you can go up to the top and look out. Look all around. 16. Go to the supermarket and buy a fruit or vegetable you have never eaten before. 17. Nobody in the room? Make some funny or odd sounds. 18. Go to the bookstore and look in a section that you never visit and read something.
#17....I do that even when there are people in the room. I'm kinda stuck in the house all day so what I do to try and get creative is clean my house. Sounds dumb but it works cause my brain is always thinking of crazy stuff. Something about scrubbing the toilet gives me some good ideas.
David, good tips. I also like free writing (writing anything that comes to mind without editing), and exercise and meditation usually help me feel more aware mentally. Oh yes, cleaning or yardwork is good too, gets the energy flowing through my tired old brain!
David, great tips My congrats go to you #13 change is one of the best working for me. Dance as a personal and preferred form of meditation
I actually use very much the same method. I start by cleaning my home office, living room, kitchen etc - scribbling down keywords on a paper while doing this. Then I take a shower singing, laughing and discussing the weirdest things with myself. If there are anyone around they leave quickly because its pretty scary being near a person acting like this. (#17). When I start writing I write without any structure, often several pages, just emptying my brain. Read briefly threw the article and forget it for a few days. When the article is picked up again I sort things out in a more rational way, check facts and so on. I know it sounds crazy but it works for me
Just put something down on paper (or whatever). A lot of creative workers get intimidated and stuck--for some reason--by a blank page or canvas.
Also changing your writing procedure can help. Sometimes I feel blocked when sitting at my desktop pc. I'm too much in "production" mode and can't get into that creative flow. Getting away from my desk, taking my laptop outside or writing longhand in a notebook can help a lot sometimes.
Bounce your ideas off of others, pick up the phone and start ranting at someone and see what they have to say on the matter
You bet, I have a few copywriters I have on speed dial whenever I need to talk copy - as well as my regular friends when you need a totally different perspective.
I plan to steal your idea looks like a brilliant idea, to often one sit around and try to do this on your own. Thanks for a great input
Well, well, well ...I haven't tried this one so far but I'm planning to in the nearest future. Sounds miraculous.
Go for a walk is the real key for me ... I've worked at varying degree's of programming & design in various environment for years now and getting up and walking away from a problem is so often the solution... Manual labour is my favourite way to generally reposition and gain some inspiration. Pointing the mortar on a wall or simply digging a hole is a great way to put your brain into neutral and allow a new approach to familiar concepts or problems.
Another trick I use, taken from Eugene Schwartz - one that is amazing for tapping into the unconscious mind - is to work for 33 minutes and 33 seconds non-stop, then take a break for 10 minutes. Go for a short walk, have a bash on the Wii, lift some weights, whatever, just something to get your mind off the task. It's amazing the stuff that comes out of you when you work like this, rather than trying to force it out of you.
cool advice, but you should always take care not to get absorbed in the tricks so that you do return to work after the refreshment!