Finding inspiration while on vacation

How do you find inspiration when you're supposed to be relaxing but you're freaking out because you're stressed that you aren't inspired or relaxing?!?!?

It's Summer and you're at the beach, or maybe it's Winter and you're surrounded by family celebrating the holidays, maybe it's Spring and you have a week to finish just a few chapters... but nothing is inspiring you. What do you do?

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.”

-Stephen King

Ever writer gets writers block. Every. Writer. It can be a few minutes, a few days, or even months. All it takes is one word, one image, and suddenly you're up and running again. Sometimes though, you need to force it out, and it isn't easy, or fun. Especially if you're supposed to be on vacation of all places.

Where to start

Sometimes you need to just sit down and think of where you want your story to go. Is there a certain scene you have in mind? Certain dialogue? Development? A new character? Sometimes it's best to skip ahead a write that scene and work backwards almost, go from where your finish line is, back to where you were at in the race.

“If I waited till I felt like writing, I'd never write at all.”

-Anne Tyler

Another thing to do is pretend you are your character. What would you say? How would you react in their situation? Sometimes I start spouting out a monologue that specifically represents my character just so I can catch all those little details I never thought they had. I can get a better idea of their goals and lifestyle, and I know what I want them to say.

Once I know what I want them to say, I figure out a way for the conversation to be provoked and pushed in that direction. BOOM! I have a scene. BOOM! I have a chapter. BOOM! I've been inspired to continue writing.

Get Inspired

Inspiration comes and goes. Sometimes you need to think of a different story-line, with new characters and fresh faces. Taking a break may eventually lead you back in the direction you wanted to go. Remember, the world around you may suck, but the world you create doesn't have to.