I wanted to ask the question because it might be helpful to those out there seeking methods of inspiration for their current or near-future writing projects. What do you do to get the creative thought process warmed up, whether you're trying to come up with a new character or plot, or you've run into a road block and don't know where to go next. For me, it nearly always helps to sit and write about what's going on in the story. I ask questions that need answers and write down just about every idea that comes into my head, regardless of how stupid the idea might sound at the time. Then I'll write out the answers or possible answers to the question, as tho someone else were asking me, such as "no that won't work because it conflicts with this" or "maybe that's the reason why this happens". I write it out as though I'm writing a letter to a friend or to myself about the story. This seems to be the best way to get into the actual writing mood and give me something solid to work on. However it hasn't been a whole lot of help in determining what perspective to write in, as I posted about several weeks ago. I still haven't been able to figure that one out. So maybe some others might want to reply here with their own methods of defeating writers block. I am wondering why this forum seems so inactive, with only a few posts every few to several days. Maybe this thread will help. ~E.D.

Well now that i'm here it should start to pick up LOL kidding (no i dont have that kind of ego) Well i don't write stories, i either write poetry or i write articles/statements about things in the world that i feel strongly about. for me, my writing are tied to my emotional states. when i'm IN the writing mood, i just go with it. i don't analyse what i'm writing. i write and if i only write 4 lines, then that's it. my poetry is varied like that. sometimes i go back and work on a poem sometimes i say 4 lines is enough i cant think of how else to make it "better" when i write an article about something, i just let it pour out. then i go back and make sure it all makes sense. since i don't write stories i can't relate to the writers block thing, but i hope my response fits in the "what gets me flowing" question asked here, and again, i'm a passionate/emotional guy (not a typical macho guy, so i'm in touch with all my varied feelings) so for me, again, it's anger, love, detachment, etc. that does it for me. or some particular thought that i need to figure out.

It seems your question is two fold: What inspires me, and what do I do to overcome writers block? They are both related yet distinct. If I truly become inspired, then writers block just does not occur. This is particularly true if I'm dealing with something that has deeply effected my emotions. Then poetry just happens. But for other times, and when writing longer pieces of prose, writers block of course does set in from time to time. Sometimes for long times. I've found a few things that help. A trip, or some other new kind of experience seems to help. I always feel more creative after a vacation, or even a business trip (if it takes me somewhere interesting). I brainstorm out loud with my wife. I'll tell her what's going on in a story and propose this and that, then reason out the strong and short points of those ideas. Sometimes she'll make a suggestion, but mostly she just says if she thinks it a good idea or not. She is very patient. I also bounce ideas off my kids. I'll read out of genre. I usually write fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. If nothing's flowing I'll pick up a book that is outside the box. For example I just read Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. I enjoyed it immensely and have whole new perspectives on things. Coincidently, a few days later I dashed off a new chapter of a book that has seen no progress in months. I also find long walks or bike rides are great times to mull things over in my mind. I've outlined whole short stories just walking around the neighborhood. But the main thing that would help me be more productive at writing would be for me to delete the games off my computer system. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. :-) Don't worry too much about the lack of activity. I think it's just part of the ebb and flow of things. jon

I write novels and also song lyrics - for novels I find I can get the muse out of hiding if I do research. I know it may sound boring but actually when I look up new stuff in an area that pertains to my subject in some way, I find all kinds of stimulating things I hadn't thought of and it triggers new ideas. For me it has ALWAYS worked. :o) Carol