6 Ways to Become Immensely Inspired this NaNoWriMo

Writing Dares

For me, nothing gets my imagination going and brain working overtime than a writing dare. These are challenges to include something in your story, like a global catastrophe or a rampaging badger, and in order to make them work, you're going to need to be creative. (Because, let's face it; fitting a rampaging badger into a scene and making it work is going to require some creativity.)

You can find all the writing dares I've issued over the years in the Inspiration Station and find more or issue your own using the #writingdare hashtag on Twitter!

Writing Prompts

If writing dares aren't your cup of tea or you don't have a story to fit them into in the first place, then writing prompts may be better suited to you. These resources could be pictures, music, quotes, first lines—anything to get your mind racing and your imagination soaring.

Where can you find these resources? Right here:

• Sink your teeth in the 100 writing prompts I collected over at the Inspiration Station.
• Browse through my boards on Pinterest for more writing prompts, inspirational pictures, and more!
• Want even more Pinspiration? Then immerse yourself in the ocean of prompts by the Sarcastic Muse and Sarah Selecky.
• Find even more prompt-prompted inspiration at the Sprint Shack, with the Story Shuffle Writing Game!

Freewrite

If your muse has shut you off from your natural source of inspiration, maybe it's because you weren't listening to her. Nothing sucks the fun out of writing than working on a project that's stagnating or going a way you don't like. At times like these, a freewrite session is called for.

Take a moment to sit down with a pen and notepad, set a timer for 20 minutes, and write whatever comes into your mind. Don't let your hand stop moving, don't stop to edit or consider what you're writing. Just write. After a few minutes, your muse will come out to play and guide whatever you're writing in the direction she wants to go. Roll with that. If she's telling you she wants to write fantasy when you're currently writing a romance, give her suggestion a go. Combine the two if you can. Try something new—because nothing stops stagnation like change.

People-Watch and Eavesdrop

Forget manners. Spy on people (just don't let them catch you at it!). There's nothing like listening in on conversations at the coffee shop or watching people interact while you're at a restaurant for giving you scene ideas for your characters. Pay attention not only to what they're saying or doing, but how they're doing it and what they're not doing. How could you use that in a story?

Write Outside

I know it's only just turned spring, but if you can, take a pen and notebook outside and write. The fresh air and sounds of the outside world can stimulate a sluggish mind and put an end to mental stagnation! Try writing a scene set where you're sitting. Describe what you can see, hear, smell, feel, taste—then have your protagonist and antagonist meet there and see how they change.

Watch a New Film or Read a New Book

Time is short when you have several thousand words to write in a month, but if you can, take out an hour or so to watch or read something new. Getting your head out of your own story and submerging yourself in someone else's could be just what you need to replenish your well of inspiration.