Thread by @Joannechocolat

This seems like a good one for today. Follow the hashtag to collect them all! #TenWaysToFindInspiration

https://twitter.com/ConFoz/status/1559500490160934912

1. First off, don't assume that "inspiration" as it's presented in the media is always necessary for you to write. You don't necessarily need a great revelatory flash - sometimes, just the act of writing provides its own momentum. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

2. If you don't have a big idea, write a small one. Do some editing. Write a fan fiction, a tweet thread, a diary entry. Don't use a lack of inspiration as an excuse not to write. That way lies stoppage. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

3. If it's more than that, then there's this. Real writer's block (as opposed to just being stuck for awhile) can be a symptom of mental ill-health. If that's you, then get some help. Practice self-care. Prioritize yourself. the writing will wait.#TenWaysToFindInspiration

4. Reader's block is real, and can be absolutely distressing. If you feel you've lost the habit of reading, then go back to the books you loved as a child. Changing the format also works. Read comics, genre, non-fiction. Replenish your reading batteries. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

5. Take a break from writing. Sitting in front of a keyboard doesn't replenish anything. Go to museums, the theatre, the cinema. Watch TV. Play games. You can't make art without consuming art. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

6. Remember, you don't have to go far to find ideas. They're everywhere. Foreign travel is wonderful, but there are stories all around you. It's just a matter of training yourself to find them. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

7. People are made of stories. A lot of writers have quite a narrow social life, but talking to people who aren't like you can really make a difference to the kinds of stories you tell. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

8. Don't forget to go outside. Green spaces and light trigger dopamine and help your concentration. If you can, exercise. No-one works well if they're cooped up inside all day. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

9. Stay abreast of current affairs. Local newspapers are full of human drama (and so is social media, of course). A squib in the paper, or a story online can sometimes lead to something amazing. #TenWaysToFindInspiration

10. And if none of this works, don't beat yourself up. Take time out. Try again another day. Some days the dream machine just won't start. That doesn't mean it's broken.#TenWaysToFindInspiration

I hope that was helpful: if you like these occasional threads, you might want to check out my book, TEN THINGS ABOUT WRITING... amazon.co.uk/Ten-Things-Abo…