There have been a few times, in my writing career, when I could not think of what to write about or even how to approach a subject. Okay. Forget I said "a few." There have been many.
What do we, as Christian writers, do when it seems like our muse is playing hide-and-seek with us? How can we smash through a wall of absolutely "nothing there" whenever it decides to erect itself?
If your muse is missing, or you are facing a brick wall, try one of these practical tips to re-ignite your passion.
1. Up, up and away. I find a blank computer screen staring back at me intimidating. Instead of trying to have a “stare-down contest” with the technological beast, I get up and move around. I go to another room, take a walk, bike, hike or visit with friends. How does this help? I’m physically infused with energy and have a different attitude when I sit down at the computer again.
2. Scribble-scrabble. Carry a small notepad and pen with you. Or, in today’s world, any kind of digital gadget with note-taking capabilities will do. How does this help? Whenever, and wherever, an idea pops into your head, jot (or type) it down.
3. Free-form. Take a word (or topic) and begin to freely write things about it. Let your writing flow. So what if you stray off course. That’s why it’s called free-form. How does this help? Usually, you can find a unique angle for a story or an article when you do this. Or, a cluster of thematic topics will appear that can aid you in your quest for an idea.
These three ideas have helped me the most. But, the greatest piece of advice I can give for finding your muse or breaking through your writer’s block is to pray. God still speaks to us in a still, small voice. We just need to quiet ourselves long enough to hear Him.
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