Brainstorming

I am currently in a Creative Writing class because I am trying to enhance my writing ability. I love writing and all, but I hate assignments, as does probably the whole population of the world. I've had a couple of assignments to write beginnings of short stories and poems (which I cannot create for the life of me), and since this quarter is slowly coming to an end, I was assigned to write a six page short story. Now, at first, this sounded fine and I was sure I'd come up with something before it was due... it is now four days before the due date and I have nothing.

Complete writers block.

What to do, what to do? Well, I've been researching brainstorming ideas and we even did a cool brainstorming activity in class (which would've helped a lot if I actually had a topic). So I decided to share some of the brainstorming activities I've come up with/ researched.

This brainstorming activity I believe was a part of author John Gardner's "Vivid Continuous Dream" (as stated in my English class), and it requires one to get completely relaxed and really see what they are trying to write about.

1. Close your eyes and get relaxed.

To get to this relaxed state, one must concentrate on their breathing.

Push everything from that day aside and breathe in.

And out.

2. Pick a scene from your story/ piece of writing.

Concentrate on a single scene.

Visualize it, walk around, touch the objects in your scene, listen to the sounds in your scene.

3. Visualize what your main character or yourself is doing.

Picture what that person is wearing, what the fabric feels like.

Picture what that persons face, hair, body looks like.

Picture how they walk, how they talk and what their facial expressions are

Optional step 3a. Visualize a secondary or tertiary character

Repeat step 3.

4. Have your main character interact with your secondary character.

How do they interact, what emotions do they feel?

What are each of your characters facial expressions?

Imagine what they speak of, how they act.

5. Open your eyes and write!

Take in everything you just visualized and write down just how you felt, smelled, heard and saw it.

I think this is a very helpful method, especially if you are stuck in a rough spot trying to describe scene or action. It can help you be there. It's called "Vivid Continuous Dream" because after doing this exercise, basically almost like making up your own dream, you can write down what you saw in this fake dream. The end result is that it will sound continuous with a lot of detail because it was as if you were actually there.

Other brainstorming/ getting your brain to work activities include:

• making lists
• taking breaks between writing
• reading other peoples works to get ideas
• taking a walk outside and getting some fresh air
• drink tea! (this is just something I do, it probably has no actual benefit...)
• sleep on it
• watch some T.V shows
• listen to your favorite music or listen to classical music
• force yourself to write for a given amount of time, say 15 minutes (I was told that after you get everything you want to say out of your mind after the first 5 to 10 minutes, your subconscious starts to work and you can get some pretty cool stuff down on paper)
• keep a daily journal writing down anything that inspires you or doesn't
• write down your dreams
• eat a healthy meal
• exercise
• look at art 
• go on websites like Pinterest or Stumbleupon

That's my list so far... If I think of any more, I'll add them later.

This doesn't just have to be for writing, it can be for drawing, painting, sculpting, crafting, music making, anything really. 

My Thoughts:

Inspiration is something I really lack, so I rely heavily on these activities to make my brain work creatively. Most of the time I read scientific articles and books about psychology which really doesn't promote creativity, so when I have the chance to sit down and write or draw, it's hard for me to do anything. My brain is basically fried by the end of the day, which is probably true for a lot of people who don't work in any creative field.

Art is what keeps me going most of the time, so when I lack the time and inspiration is when I'm at my worst: most stressed, most angry and most irritable. When I have the time to get my thoughts out on paper in any form of art, writing or drawing, it is almost therapeutic for me. The fact that one's brain can slow down for 10 minutes and not have to be attentive or alert can really help eliminate stress. We live our lives going 50 miles an hour daily and it's nice to have those days where you only have to go 5 miles an hour to slow down and really be here. Really be alive and in the present.

This being in the present concept hit me a couple days ago when I realized I'm 21 now and it's already February. I've been 21 for almost a month now and what do I have to show for it? Stress and unhappiness? I want to live my life to the fullest, not watch myself grow older. I have a bucket list and I really do plan on doing everything on it, as long as I have enough money for it.

Also with this epiphany came my realization that I really do want to get a PhD (completely irrelevant to the topic). I know it'll take a lot of work, but I think in the end it is what will benefit me the most and make me the happiest. That being said, I don't want my life to start after I get a stable job and a house and stuff, I want to be able to enjoy life right now - moneyless and tied to school. (impossible, right? We'll see..)  

Inspiration will come to me.. it can't be lost forever.