It’s one thing to get inspired to write, it’s a whole other ball game to keep it going. When you’re ploughing through the re-writes and fighting away the demons of doubt, it can be tempting to just go watch YouTube videos instead. It’s at these times you need a shot of literary caffeine.
Creative stimulants can come in various forms (no not those forms), but ideally it should be easy to access and quick in imbibe (in a metaphorical sense). Here are some ideas to try.
Grab a magazine about writing
With a subscription, you always have one to hand. Even easier get a digital sub and they’ll be right there on your favourite digital device. To get your dose of caffeine, just pick an issue and start reading. I guarantee you’ll be itching to put fingers to keyboard (or pen) in no time at all. I’ve been reading the Writing Magazine for years and it always works for me.
Take a look at your bookshelf
This is a dead easy one. We’ve all got a bookshelf or shelves or piles of books stacked haphazardly around the house. Go look at them. See all those names? They were where you are now, struggling to tell their story. But they did it. So take a book, open it and read their words. Imagine being there on that shelf with them. Then put it back and get down to it.
Catch up with a writing blogger or vlogger
This isn’t self-promotion honest (you’re already here after all), but there are many writing bloggers and vloggers out there – in fact you probably follow some already. Turn on one of their vids or pull out a blog post. Absorb their enthusiasm and get back on the writing waggon.
Read your other work
You’ve probably got more than a few bits of your work floating about. Dive in and read some. Yes some of it might not be brill, but you’ll probably be surprised by what you’ve come up with. A good line or two could be just what you need to remind yourself, hey I’m good at this.
So what about you? What’s your ‘literary caffeine’? Please share in the comments.
07/02/2021 at 9:43 PM
Very inspiring!
08/02/2021 at 4:18 PM
I love listening to writing podcasts for some “literary caffeine”. To hear how other writers create/work, and all their different journeys is always really inspiring to me.
15/02/2021 at 5:56 PM
Fantastic. I think I’m a little late on the podcast train, I’ve only listened to a few. Any recommendations?
16/02/2021 at 12:53 PM
I LOVE First Draft with Sarah Enni, Write or Die is good, and 88 Cups of Tea (though there hasn’t been an episode since last fall…but still, those ones are really good too)