Some types of writing involve coming up with a fairly consistent string of ideas. If you're running a blog, pitching freelance
pieces, or writing short stories or poems, then you'll need to keep on generating fresh ideas.
But if you're feeling anxious about this, that can be a real roadblock to writing (and to enjoying the process of writing).
Maybe you find yourself worrying, at least occasionally, that you'll never have a good idea again. Perhaps you can't even remember how the last ideas came to you ... and you certainly don't think you can replicate the process.
When you're
anxious that you'll never have another great idea, it's all too tempting to hold very tight to the ideas you've already got.
Have you ever put off writing a particular piece because you were worried you couldn't do justice to the idea?
That's part of this fear manifesting: you feel like you have to "save" your great idea for the future, in case you never have a better one.
The truth is that ideas tend to perpetuate, not run out.
Coming up with one idea may well spark another, related, thought; getting into an idea-generating frame of mind can let you come up with all sorts of things you might not have thought of otherwise.
Here are four practical things you can do to help ease your worries:
#1: Allow Yourself Time to Come Up With Ideas
This might sound a bit obvious, but you definitely wouldn't expect to write a whole blog post or a short story in just moments ... and yet it's easy to think that you
should just come up with an idea in no time at all.
Although ideas can come in an instant, when you're washing dishes or taking a shower, it's still well worth putting aside some focused time for them. For instance, you might decide to sit down for 20 minutes during lunchtime on Mondays to brainstorm ideas.
#2: Work Ahead With Your Ideas
Have you ever sat staring at a blank screen, desperately trying to think of something to write about because you want to get a blog post up by the end of the day or enter a competition
before the deadline? It's tough to generate ideas when you're under pressure.
Aim to get ahead with your writing ideas. For a blog, that might mean creating a "content calendar" for each month, with titles (and perhaps brief outlines) of the posts you intend to write.
If you're writing for competitions, plan ahead: you don't necessarily need to start the actual writing months in advance, but look at what competitions are coming up and start considering different ideas for them.
#3: Come Up With More Ideas Than You
Can Use
When you sit down to list ideas for your blog posts or freelance pieces or short stories, don't simply come up with the set number you need for the month or quarter ahead. Instead, aim for twice as many ideas as you can actually use.
Why? Not only will you be extra ahead, you'll also be able to take your pick of the very best ideas. Inevitably, some of the things you come up with won't make for great articles or stories (though it's important to get those weaker ideas out there, because they can lead to a new and better thought). When you have a glut of ideas down on paper, it's easy to see – and eliminate – the weakest ones.
It's hard to force ideas, and it can be extra tough to come up with an idea that you like when you feel pressured and rushed. By giving yourself time, getting ahead, and creating extra ideas, you can get away from that anxious feeling and reassure yourself that you have plenty of good ideas for your writing.
