Having trouble getting inspiration for material?
Of all the questions I get from the writers and comedians I work with, by far the most common relates to inspiration.
“I haven’t ‘felt’ like writing.” or “Sometimes I feel it and sometimes I don’t.”
Do you fit into this category? Do you have trouble finding the inspiration to write?
When is the last time you wrote something and felt satisfied? When is the last time you wrote something fulfilling?
When is the last time you wrote something at all?
It happens to all of us. There were times that I would go weeks without writing a new joke. It felt miserable.
One day I purchased a book called “The Writer’s Way,” and it was part of my all-out plan to never have writers’ block again. And you know what?
It worked!
One of the things I learned in that book and from reading about guys like George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld is to write everyday. EVERYDAY. Non-negotiable.
Whether I write a paragraph or a joke or two. I make time every day to sit down and write something. Anything.
Some writers wait for an inspiration to hit them. Other writers summon their muse by developing a regular routine to work by thereby following the philosophy of:
[gn_quote style=”1″]A Routine for writing, creates a routine for inspiration.[/gn_quote]
But it’s up to you. First you have to start with a decision to do it, then you need to plan your day, your week and set up a specific time (an appointment with yourself) that you block out in your daily calendar that is designated for your writing time and then STICK to that routine.
You’ll be amazed that when you stick to the routine, your inspiration will find it’s way to you.
It’s like working both sides of the creative equation.
Sometimes inspiration just happens and other times you have to coax it along by doing cliche exercises or writing 50 random lines from the news, ad-copy or editorials.
Here’s a great article on creativity. I read it and it inspired me to write this blog post.
Maybe it will help you to set up your own regular writing routine and get more creative!
Do you have certain techniques you use to get yourself inspired? Share them in the comments section!
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This is some great advice! I feel this way often and haven’t written anything for quite some time be it comedy or otherwise, will definitely be giving this a try!
Jerry, forgive me for the question… but isn’t the book called The Artists’ Way by Julia Cameron? Or is there another one I haven’t seen?
Possibly this: http://www.amazon.com/Writers-Way-Jack-Rawlins/dp/0495911445
Is that the one he’s referring to?
Thanks for the article.
What I found to inspire me to write. I picture my self in long line with other people who are writing. I don’t know where I am in the line yet, but if I don’t write something, someone will take my place.
Good advice. I do try to write something every day…if only a joke or observation on twitter/Facebook. My downfall is the long term projects (novel/screenplay) after the initial burst of creativity that gets the story down on the page…I dread the editing/polishing process…finding all kinds of way to avoid…putting the dollar bills in my wallet in serial number order, polishing the hood ornament on my neighbor’s car, or walking six miles to the store for hemorrhoid cream (from sitting too long procrastinating). Any suggestions?
This is a really good lecture on creativity by John Cleese from Monty Python. It has some simple steps including Jerry’s scheduling time to write and how you use that time that are invaluable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9rtmxJrKwc
Here’s an idea to help with the creative process: carry a small notebook with you at all times (or use your smart phone) when a great idea strikes at random, write down the idea. Then when it’s your scheduled writing time and you can’t think of something to write about, just pull out the small notebook and pick an idea that hasn’t yet been expressed.
I ask my self “If I were in the position of Rodin’s Thinker, what would I be thinking about”? or Sometimes I walk up to that piece of art in my study and ask him, “Hey man, what’s up?”