We know that a lot of people reading Reynard City want to create themselves. However, sometimes creative blocks happen. Whether you are a writer, artist or any form of creator this can happen. Here are some creative tips to help get those creative juices flowing!
First up, watch our latest creative tips video, which offers an overview of what we’re about to talk about.
Buy a reporter notebook
Our first creative tips is pretty simple- buy a reporter notebook or some other form of plain pad for writing, sketching etc. While fancier notebooks, journals and sketchbooks are great, there is the risk of feeling intimidated, that you have to produce something worthy of what you have bought.
The problem is often this idea of perfect inspiration, that an idea arrives fully formed. Allow yourself to unwind, experiment and (hard as it is) try not to think too hard about it!
Writer's block is not having nothing to say, it's having too much unsaid! When your creative pipes get blocked, they need flushing out. Do this by just writing, drawing, making anything: shopping lists, doodles, etc. till the pipes run clear. Eat your creative fibre!
— Jackie Carreira – Writer (@JCarreiraWriter) February 18, 2023
Use a spider diagram to get creative ideas down
Draw a circle in the middle of a blank page. Write a word about the kind of story you want to write (for this example we’re using “superhero”). Then draw lines coming out from the circle with words associated with superhero (“secret identity”, “superpower”, “weakness” etc). The key is to not think too hard while doing it (word association can be good for this too) as this will allow you to open up and explore ideas.
Music personally helps me, I love drawing to soundtracks and I’ll pick a track that’s relevant to the scene of the script, which can help with the energy sometimes or inspire 🙂 xxx
— Tomb Raider Artistry (a.k.a Susie Gander) (@SusieGander) February 17, 2023
Interview your characters
Getting to know your characters is a good way of developing potential stories. Do they grab a quick coffee and cereal bar for breakfast or do they make a bowl of porridge and sit with a cup of tea?
The little things can often inform the big things. It can also help to change up the situation- have them in a lift with another character or a total stranger, auditioning for a play or waiting for a bus.
This can then extend to worldbuilding. One reason Zootopia worked so well is because they put a lot of thought into how a society made up of different animals together would function. Asking these questions will help you to develop.
That being said, it is also a balance. In her book Writing Down The Bones, Natalie Goldberg uses the phrase “Don’t marry the fly”. What this means is that while knowing these details are important you don’t necessarily need to put them all into your story (and in the case of comic scripts keep in mind you’re writing them for an artist so you need to give them what they need to know and to keep it as visual as possible!)
Step away from the screen. Go do something else (chores, walk outside, etc.) and start talking to yourself as the characters. It helps me a lot when figuring out story snags.
— GreyofPTA☕ (@GreyofPTA) February 17, 2023
Whenever I'm feeling blocked I dive back into the 100 days of writing challenge by @TimClarePoet the 10 minute tasks help me get the flow going.
— Mike Taynton (@lumberjackK8) February 18, 2023
Keeping a creative schedule
Now before you reply with “That’s all well and good but I have a baby/job/commitments”. This is undoubtedly true and can make this more challenging. That being said, it just means having to adapt. This is why I personally only work on word counts for article work and prefer to set my own creative targets. Remember- a little progress is still progress!
It should also be made clear that this is an example and not what everyone should follow. Some people are more creative in the morning, others work better at night. What does tend to help is that whatever your routine is it should be consistent.
It is also important to take breaks and take the pressure off. Sometimes the best ideas come when you go out for a walk or stop somewhere for a coffee. Some people like to write in cafes and that’s fab, if you like that then great. For me personally I prefer that to be my break away from writing.
Try a routine for a while. If it doesn’t work then change it up!
Go outside. Sit and do nothing – try not to even think. An idea will come along.
— AJ Deane (@aj_deane) February 17, 2023
What’s always helped me is simply walking away from it. Ideas usually come when I’m NOT trying to think of any. 🙂
— Jon Esparza (@JonsCrazyTweets) February 17, 2023
Creative ideas: The Reynard City any time idea prompt!
There are a number of special themed months and events (Inktober being one of the most well known). However, you do not need to wait for a special month to be creatively inspired. Here are some prompt words that you can use at any time. Use them to create a character, a comedy sketch, a poem, whatever you want!
I’d advise a change of scenery or working on a completely different creative project for a while.
— Lizzie Chantree (@Lizzie_Chantree) February 17, 2023
And finally…more resources
The last of these creative tips is a simple one- if you try all these things and you are still getting blocked then we have some resources below that can help with writer’s block, art block etc. Massive thank you to everyone who contributed to this video/blog, please follow and support them!
Creative block links
Creative tips playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvIet0RrR76gWyZbWWMrQxyOsXq-ST8Ji
Jon Esparza: http://jonscrazystuff.blogspot.com
AJ Deane: https://www.andrewjamesdeane.co.uk
Mike Taynton: https://twitter.com/lumberjackK8
Tim Claire: http://www.timclarepoet.co.uk/the-100-day-writing-challenge/the-100-day-writing-challenge-day-16-transcript/
GreyofPTA: http://www.patreon.com/greyofpta
Lizzie Chantree: http://viewAuthor.at/LizzieChantree
Susie Gander: http://www.susieillustrations.com
Writing Down The Bones (Natalie Goldberg): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Writer/dp/1590302613
Story (Robert McKee): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Story-Robert-McKee/dp/0413715507
The Writer’s Journey (Christopher Vogler): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Writers-Journey-Mythic-Structure/dp/193290736X
Pencils and Stories (Henrike Dijkstra): https://www.youtube.com/@pencilsandstories
Also we have our creative tips playlist!
Special thanks to everyone who makes Reynard City possible, find out more in the playlist below!
