“Writing about a writer’s block is better than not writing at all.” —Charles Bukowski

I haven’t pounded out a syllable or dirtied a single key. I’ve avoided writing all day. I’m just another creative perplexed by existential roadblocks that are undoubtedly self-created. I don’t know how I arrived here, but I’d be a hypocrite if I couldn’t escape. Let me selfishly help you to help myself; let’s seduce inspiration before she dumps us and elopes with some other schmuck.

Mantra #3: A spectacle of inspiration

• Inspiration usually comes if you force yourself to write. This is the last thing you want to hear.
• Have you thoroughly outlined or brainstormed? If not, that could be why you feel lost and hopeless.
• Scared of a blank page? With work at various stages there’s always something to do: research, editing, characters’ backgrounds, restructuring an act. Alternating tasks also fights mental fatigue and the binge writing that I mentioned in Part I.
• Does the subject material you’re writing about excite you? If not, try switching to something else.
• Create a lookbook: a slideshow of images and audio that illuminates the drama or moods of your piece.
• Exercising before starting your day will give you an energetic boost and keep you from feeling restless.
• Try doing your chores before working. A clear mind is a shpadoinkle thing! This does not work for everyone’s schedule, but it’s absolutely worth a try.

• Keep a dream journal. Learn to wake yourself up to record your brilliant ideas. Lucid dreaming is the best thing for this.
• A personal favorite is to write a character or piece of dialogue that offends you. It’s liberating to escape your comfort zone and see what’s out there.
• Having problems with a character? Write their dialogue as you would for the opposite genre. If it’s drama try comedy, and vice versa. Good writing is about contrast, after all.
• If you feel an emotional response while writing — stop — then go deeper. These moments generally come when we brush against something wondrous.
• Train yourself to write and “Treat yo’ self!” Reward yourself for hard work, not good writing. A beer or some time with your favorite TV show or book works swell.
• Read lots of articles on writing. If something inspires you, let the author know (hint, hint). Dialogue with other writers is often inspiring.
• Peter De Vries famously wrote: “Sometimes I write drunk and revise sober, and sometimes I write sober and revise drunk.”
• There’s a straightforward translation of this. However, try leaving the office and embrace the altered states that come with new surroundings. Go for a walk; work in the park. Inspiration can come from anywhere and often springs from a new or slanted perspective.
• Print your piece and have a new tactile experience: Highlight, tear, read aloud, cry and rewrite. Exporting as PDF can help too. Make your piece look and feel different.
• Try the famous Pomodoro technique: writing for 25-minute intervals with scheduled breaks (more here).
• Write a screenplay-style logline for your piece. This can help you see problems or even inspire better ideas. Writer Blake Snyder explains that you should also pitch your idea to a friend or a stranger.
• Write while listening to interesting and moody music on Spotify or Pandora. I’ll include some Spotify playlists I made below.

I hope something here helps you stay inspired on a cosmic level. Please share your inspirational tips in the comments.

Spotify Playlists to Seduce the Muse

• Romani (Gypsy) Music From Around the World
• Romani/Balkan Dance
• Electro Swing
• Upbeat Indie Rock
• Eclectic Indie Goodness
• Blues, Grass and Truckers

Photo by Andrew Stawarz.