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Writing an article doesn't just mean putting down thoughts into words then typing and writing it. A successful article will be interesting, well organized and well written. To make sure your message gets across, you have to get the attention of the reader, pique their curiosity, and keep a firm grasp on their interest.
The main element in crafting an original article is always creativity. While this may come naturally and effortlessly to some people, who have a massive fund of ideas, when faced with a blank sheet of paper or screeen, a great many feel their mind going instantly blank too! This seeming inability to get ideas down can drive someone crazy. Many writers have literally torn their hair out when they get writers block and just can't seem to get their creative juices flowing.
Putting words into images in the reader's mind is an art. A clear and crisp depiction requires a certain flair that only creativity can provide. The use of similes and metaphors can help a lot, but the way an article gets built up word by word, sentence by sentence then paragraph by paragraph into a whole article can influence its flow and meaning.
So just what can you do when nothing comes to mind? There is no surefire way to get that perfect idea, but there are easy ways to get your creative juices flowing. No one can guarantee having the perfect mindset to fill that piece of paper as even professional writers know only too well, but there are lots of things you can do to help you get into that fertile state of mind. Here are just five suggestions to get you going:
1) Keep a diary or a journal with you always - some writers even keep a notebook, pencil and small torch or light by the side of the bed in case they have an idea in the middle of the night! Ideas can be triggered by anything you may hear, see, or smell. In fact, all your senses can suddenly bring you a great idea - so you need to be able to capture them immediately before you forget!
Write all of them into a journal and keep it with you for future reference. You may also write down anything that you have read or heard, someone's ideas could be used to develop your own ideas and this is not cheating or stealing. Remember that ideas and creativity can come from anywhere; it's your development and improvement of the ideas you write down that makes it unique.
2) Relax and take time to sort things out. A jumbled mind cannot create any space for new ideas - it's just too crowded trying to remember everything that needs to be done. Everyone must have a clear mind if one wishes to have their creativity in full speed. Get rid of all obstacles that can be a hindrance to your creativity. If you are bothered by something, you cannot force your mind to stay focused. If you've not got time to do every chore in your head, write them down and promise yourself that you'll give them your full attention later. If you feel this means that you're not coping, bear in mind that Einstein didn't even bother to remember his phone number - he wanted all
his thinking capacity freed up to focus on his theories!
Try to relax and just spend time thinking about your experiences and interactions with others. Your life experience is unique, and that is what shapes your mindset and your opinions - all of which could be reflected on your writings. Try to get to know yourself, find out what triggers your emotions. Discover what inspires you and what annoys you. You can use these emotions to help you in expressing yourself and your ideas, and to create the right environment in which you can grow creatively.
3) Create a working place that can inspire your creativeness. Your working place can be quite a hindrance if it doesn't make you feel happy or relaxed - you'll be sat there for hours at a time, and if you spend all your time there annoyed and distracted by tasks you can see that need doing, you won't be able to write anything except about the things that are filling your mind. Creativity comes from being in a good state of mind and an untidy and cluttered workplace that causes distraction won't be conducive in firing up your creative flow.
Surround your working place with objects that makes you happy and relaxed - the principle is that everything you see around you should be beautiful or useful, or both! You may put up pictures, or spray scents, display objects that inspire, or anything that can get your creativeness cranking. A clean and well organized workplace also rids of distractions and unwanted hindrances. With a good working place, you can work in peace and never notice the time pass by.
4) Set your mood into creative mode. Setting the mood requires you to just go with the moment or to induce your self to feeling what makes your mind works best. Finding out what makes you tick could help you find ways to get your creative juices flowing. Set the pace and tempo for your mood and everything else will follow.
There are many ways to set the mood. Some writers have been known to use music, lighting or even the odd sip of wine to stir up the imagination - others are known to have tried all sorts of reality changing drugs but I won't recommend them here! Just remember that unhappiness can be creative as well as happiness - it depends on the effect you seek - so do not be discouraged if you feel down as your muse may be there as well. Others find their creativity outside in the natural world or inspired in galleries and museums by the creativity of others. You need to know whether evidence of other peoples creativity inspires or depresses you though.
5) Go on a getaway and just do something totally different or crazy - leave your comfort zone! Letting yourself go and having fun produces adrenaline that can make your imagination go wild. Go on an adventure holiday or a long hike in the woods or mountains (obviously, be safe!) - just make it different from your usual daily routine can get your schadule and your mind out of a rut. In no time at all, your imagination will make use of that experience and boost your flagging creativity.
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