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Where do you get your writing inspiration from?

Writing inspiration is a deeply personal thing, and everyone will find their inspiration differently. For some, it could be from their personal experiences, from their favourite TV show, or a book they just read, while for others, they might rely solely on their imaginations without looking to outside influences.

That said, there are lots of places you can go to for inspiration that aren't just about the act of writing. Sometimes, it's just about finding something that will spark an idea, or even just get you in a creative headspace. And for that, we've got some tips in the Reading Room today to show you how to use real life to find creative inspiration.

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“One word after another. That’s the only way that novels get written.” — Neil Gaiman

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Our post this week is another Grammar Talk, and this time we're discussing the difference between active and passive language.

How do you use active and passive statements in your writing? What effects do you notice?

#writeblr #writers on tumblr #writing about writing #grammar talk #writing advice

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sometimes I wish I had ed sheeran’s phone number just so I could call him up and say SIMILES ARE GENERALLY ONLY WORTHWHILE IF THEY ADD SOMETHING TO AN IDEA. RECOGNISING THAT 2 THINGS CAN HAVE A COMMONALITY IN A VERY VAGUE WAY DOES NOT MEAN IT’S USEFUL TO REFERENCE IT. SEE: FACES CRUMBLING LIKE PASTRIES. IS SHE A BAKER? DOES SHE ENJOY A GOOD CROISSANT? IS THIS REFERENCED ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE PIECE? IF YOU ANSWER ‘NO’ TO ONE OR ALL OF THE ABOVE, DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200 OR A BRIT AWARD.

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how to write creepy stories

over describe things

under describe things

short sentences in rapid succession build tension

single sentence paragraphs build dread

uncanny valley = things that aren't normal almost getting it right

third person limited view

limited expressions

rot, mold, damage, age, static, flickering, espsecially in places it shouldn't be

limited sights for your mc - blindness, darkness, fog

being alone - the more people there are, the less scary it is

intimate knowledge, but only on one side

your reader's imagination will scare them more than anything you could ever write. you don't have to offer a perfectly concrete explanation for everything at the end. in fact, doing so may detract from your story.

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Putting this as its own post because it deserves to be its own post.

If you want to be good at any kind of art you have to take the part of your brain that tells you “everything must be a wholly original idea formed in a perfect clean room environment” and you have to rip that synapse out of your skull, put it through a shredder, stomp on it, light it on fire, then pour it into acid, because it’s a liar and will never ever help you.

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Writing Tip (for self-critical writers)

You're not going to write good stories until you write cringey stories first. Sorry, I don't make the rules. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

That's not to beat you down with a stick. You're already doing that to yourself.

Instead, it's freedom.

No matter how badly the draft you're writing is turning out, the sheer act of practicing is making you a better writer. You can't mess this up by writing a "lame" story.

If you wait to write until you can write well, you simply will not write. Ever.

So write your cringey story! I believe in you!

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Happy (approximate) birthday and (definite) deathday to William Shakespeare!

Y'all might enjoy this...

You know how you see all those ~inspirational~ Shakespeare quotes floating around? Do you know how many of them were intended to mean something entirely different?

Never fear, good citizen, I'm here to spoil your fun give you the lowdown on what some of pop culture's favourite pithy quotes actually mean.

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There's this misconception I'm sure your're familiar with concerning daydreaming about one's original story and characters. I've seen many posts/memes that are like "teehee relatable writer things- I'm always thinking about my story for hours instead of actually writing it lmao." YES. OBVIOUSLY. Honestly, GOOD.

Call me crazy, but that's just called having a well-thought-out narrative. You can't tell a good story if you haven't spent time considering it, how it's structured, how it progresses, how your characters progress, etc.

Even if it boils down to half an hour of this confession scene is going to be so hot and complex or I think my OC would like Beyonce, you're putting thought into your narrative, which gets you more familiar with it, which eliminates holes and narrative weaknesses, which will make you more confident writing it, which strengthens your overall writing and story.

These posts/memes treat it like you're wasting time when you should be writing instead, but that's not true. It's practical. Don't condemn yourself for enjoying your creation, an act that will ultimately strengthen it.

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Saw this advice on Twitter today, and I think it's going to end up being useful for me. 🥹 Thought I'd share it with y'all, too.

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Here's some more fun with the history of words! If you're a fan of etymology, this post is for you!

#etymology #writeblr #writers on tumblr

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i drew this because i. wanted to, i guess

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You gotta write for funsies sometimes. Everything doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. Like. Who cares if it’s a little silly it is made out of love

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Writers keep in mind while you’re working on your current WIP, you’re learning skills that may not result in you being able to complete that particular WIP to your satisfaction, but WILL bear fruit in your NEXT WIP. Like, you might’ve blown up this science project, but next time (or the time after, or the time after…) you’ll nail it because of what you learned while setting fire to this one.

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Being a writer your brain is either

A) STUFFED TO BURSTING with ideas you have no clue what to do with or how to make them make sense

or

B) It's a black hole that devours every inkling of creativity in your cells and you are just hoping it'll consume you too

THERE IS NO IN BETWEEN