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

 
~jon
My Blog - Mad Utopia Writing in a new era.