Finding Writing Inspiration When You’re Stuck at Home

By Krysten Lindsay Hager

Writers are always looking for things to be inspired by whether it’s a beautiful piece of artwork, music, or even overhearing a conversation that triggers a story idea. Okay, so that last one is basically eavesdropping, but I’ve gotten some of my best bits of dialogue by strangers talking loudly near me when I was out. I think people in this city believe cell phone conversations must be had at full volume while in public, but hey, I’ve gotten some intriguing ideas from things I’ve overheard. 

However, now that we’re home more because of safety reasons, we’re going to concerts, museums, conferences, etc. I was journaling about being frustrated about having so many limitations, but then I started to realized that while things had changed, there had been other ways I had been inspired. So I thought I’d share some of the ways I found writing inspiration while at home. 

Have your Artist Date Online

Julia Cameron’s classic, The Artist’s Way, talks about going on “artist dates” to, “explore something that interests you,” which is always a sure-fire way to inspire your creativity. One of the first things people think about when planning an Artist Date is going to a museum of some sort. However, right now a lot of museums have more content online. Some are still open, but many are offering lectures and programs online—some paid, some free. There are opportunities to see exhibits online from museums you normally wouldn’t get to see without traveling overseas. It’s an amazing way to visit a place you might not have the ability (or funds) to ever see in person. 

Attend Lectures and Listen to Speakers while in Your Sweatpants

Another thing we’re not able to do is to go see our favorite authors or other speakers in person, but many are offering online lectures, talks, and classes. In the past few months, I bought an inexpensive ticket to see two of my favorite authors have a conversation about creativity that was inspiring. I never would have had the money to travel to London for that and my chance of getting a ticket before it sold out would have been slim, but I got to watch it from the comfort of my home and in my comfiest sweatpants. 

Attend a Writing Conference from Your Couch

Writing conferences and workshops are always great to fuel you with inspiration, but this year has been filled with cancellations. However, it also meant a lot of them went to online formats. As great as it is to meet people at conferences and workshops, I discovered I really love doing online ones. For one, there was no issue of having to pick which classes I was going to attend at the designated times. Usually you have to decide which ones to see and miss, but with the online formats, I was able to view every one I wanted to see. 

Plus, you could attend live or watch the replay later meaning I had more time to listen, pause, take notes, and not miss a thing. I’m a big note taker and it was great to be able to rewind, pause, and even watch a good session a second time. Not only could I do it at my own pace, but I didn’t experience that after conference burnout you get from traveling, racing to the next session, and being overwhelmed from cramming so much into a single weekend or day. A lot of them include a FB group so you still get a networking experience, too. It was by far my best writing conference experience. 

Access to Online Reading Guides and Activities

Many authors are offering interactive materials or reading guides on their website. I’ve begun doing a weekly reading guide with journaling exercises for my Landry True Colors Series to give my preteen and teen readers something to do as we’re all home more right now. I’ve seen a lot of other authors turn to creating activities, videos, and blogging more, so look around because you might find your favorite author is offering something that might kickstart your inspiration as well.

Plus, let’s not forget that this is a time where staying in and watching TV shows or movies and reading is encouraged and that’s a great way to fill the creative well. It’s also a good way to reach out to others to see what they’re watching and reading right now. I’ve stepped out of my usual favorite genres during this time and found some great documentaries and series that I normally wouldn’t have watched.

Yes, this is a challenging time and some days it is just about making it through the day, so don’t get down on yourself if you don’t feel like writing right now. Take this time to fill your creative well and be gentle with yourselves. I hope you find something to inspire you through this time. 

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Bio: Krysten Lindsay Hager writes about friendship, self-esteem, fame, and first loves for teens, preteens, and YA book lovers. She is the author of Can Dreams Come True, In Over Her Head: Lights, Camera, Anxiety, Dating the It Guy, the Star Series, as well as the Landry’s True Colors Series. Her work has received the Literary Classics Gold Medal, Readers Favorite awards, and the Dayton Book Expo Bestseller Award among others. 

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Krysten’s work has been featured in USA Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Beavercreek Current, the Bellbrook Times, Springfield News-Sun, Grand Blanc View, Dayton Daily News and on Living Dayton. 

Website: https://www.krystenlindsay.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krystenlindsay/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Krysten-Lindsay-Hager/e/B00L2JC9P2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrystenLindsayHagerAuthor

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: How To and Tips