One problem reiterated among writers (fanfiction writers included) is, “I don’t feel inspired.”

I understand. I’ve felt the same way, but there’s a fine line between having no ideas and making excuses for not writing.

There are times ideas arrive like a tsunami. Other times, we pull water from the desert air. Both situations can be infuriating. The first because we can’t catalog ideas quickly enough. The second, because we have nothing to catalog.

When we struggle to invent new content, employing alternate means of inspiration is worth exploring, and breaking out of the writing mold can help refocus and direct us.

Art is a broad topic, encompassing anything from radio plays to oil paintings to opera, but I’d like to suggest three visual art-related sources writers can mine for ideas when writing prompts, contests, reading, or craft articles can’t provide them.

1. Peruse photos:

   Most of us have pictures, whether they be of family, pets, food, favorite fictional worlds or people, etc. When natural inspiration fails, reviewing images of important aspects of our lives can spark memories and emotions, or direct us to something else that might bring purpose to our next project.

2. Get a coloring book:

   With the emergence of adult coloring books, store shelves afford more options for those who aren’t inclined to read novels but love the feeling of having a book in their hands. Each page gives the buyer a sense of accomplishment upon completion. I’ve bought a few coloring books, not to fill the pages with my vision for the presented images but to imagine what stories might lie behind them.

3. Draw:

   Not everyone can draw well, but everyone can draw, even if it’s a diagram of political hierarchy or a genealogical table. Drawing can connect elements of story we didn’t previously realize by getting us out of our own heads and framing topics, characters, and settings in a new way.

Next time you run out of inspirational fuel, try breaking from routine and investigate a less-obvious solution.