GETTING CREATIVE: 2 TIPS

Coming up with original ideas is difficult. The planning process of anything creative is complicated, and so often I find myself forcing an idea to become what I want it to be rather than finding an idea that matches perfectly with what I planned.

You may find me at home, sitting around and staring off into space, but I'm often thinking of new ideas and stories, imagining characters and alternate universes. Unfortunately, only 1% of these ideas actually make sense, so I can't exactly call this the most successful process. And now that I've had this blog for about a month, I desperately need to crank out those ideas for some interesting posts and fun compositions.

This past week, I've started to plan a photography + art project with a friend where we try to express the power and capabilities of expression in both art and in photos. So more than ever, I'm going to need to come up with fresh ideas!

But although I've been sort of stuck in this creative process, here are a few methods that in the past have helped inspire me and pull me out of writer's block...

1. GET YOUR THOUGHTS ORGANIZED

 

There have been too many times where I told myself I would write an idea down for later, but I would never follow through, and the next thing I know, the idea is lost forever! I've learned that once you have an idea that you feel would help you in the creative process, be it a minor or a major one, JOT IT DOWN. I keep pens and papers all over my room and on all surfaces of the house so that those ideas I could latch onto those ideas and use them for later.

2. READ BOOKS, MAGAZINES, CATALOGS-- EVERYTHING!

Nobody has ever just pulled an idea out of thin air--that's what inspiration is for! So pull out those magazines you had promised to read and look over the ones you've already seen! Even clothes/furniture catalogs could lend their images to a character's bedroom, or a crazy pattern could remind you of memories or actions.
Pull out those postcards, letters, and to-do lists (or buy some!)  and get inspired!