I can't think of anything

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

So you know how sometimes you're writing an essay or a creative work whether its personal or not and you just hit that mental wall? You really want to make something cool but you're just feeling bland and uninspired.

What do you do to get the creative juices going?

[sub][sub]Don't advocate drugs kiddos.[/sub][/sub]

 

[Scarim Coral]

I remember reading this D&T book on a solution to mental blocking idea.

Basically just do something relaxing to ease off your mind. If done right, the idea will flow back into year head.

Apparently this is how the word "Eureka" came to be when the guy was taking a bath and it work for my mate when he had the same problem (he was playing kickball with his mate and the ideas came rusing to his head, good thing he had his sketchbook nearby!).

 

[WhiteFangofWhoa]

Do something else. Take in another work of creative fiction (any format) and ask yourself what you find interesting about it.

This is why I keep a shelf full of about 60 good books right next to my desk.

 

[JoJo]

I find going for a walk helps, both for taking a break and also for inspiration.

 

[Evonisia]

Go on a walk, read a book or engage in a particularly lore rich series so you can pick out obscure ideas and manipulate them.

 

[Barbas]

I visit the internet or read about the horrors of war, sometimes both at the same time. It certainly keeps my mind occupied.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Like the others have said, take some time off of that project. If it's a creative project though, and you've already taken some time away from it, than just do something completely bat-shit bonkers. Stuck trying to come up with character development stuff for a stuffy Dwarf and a well-to-do Elf? Have some asshole drive a fucking Delorian into a nearby tree and give those two characters the task of cleaning up the mess. Stuck trying to come up with character motivation for a 19th century duchess? Just turn her into an amnesiac robot from the future. Stuck trying to techno-babble your way out of a sci-fi plot hole? Have Dracula come the fuck out of nowhere and start causing chaos. I would suggest doing this off to the side as an exercise to flesh out the characters but hey, they're your stories.

 

[FalloutJack]

Music, generally. That's my general go-to method of getting my thoughts in motion. I tend to pace around while thinking, though that is not compulsory. I just do it.

 

[baconsarnie]

Pretty much anything that can be done on auto-pilot, trying to sleep, going for a walk, go into the kitchen and eat lunch.

Let the subconscious do the hard work (ideas, solutions etc) then flesh out or polish as needed consciously.

 

[Fijiman]

Coming up with something really random and stupid for a while either helps get out of it or to make you come up with something better.

 

[mysecondlife]

I just try to write whatever is in my head to get the motor running and not worry about my inner critic

 

[Creator002]

I usually use dr-

[sub][sub]Don't advocate drugs kiddos.[/sub][/sub]

-iving around to clear my head.

I sleep, listen to music, make some food (sometimes I eat it, sometimes it's dinner for everyone else) or watch YouTube videos/browse the Internet. Generally, have a break from it for an hour or two.

 

[Cowabungaa]

When I have this with philosophical essays I usually put on documentaries (though not nature ones) or a very cerebral show like Utopia or something. That often loosens me up .

 

[American Fox]

This is why The Oblique Strategies were created.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Don't go on this website...it sucks the juices from you like a thirsty vampire-owl! Read, walk, put on a playlist of music you've never tried listening to before. Mingle with other creative types. Own at least 2 cats and a substantial garden.
I dunno. Some things just kill creative thinking for me, like meds, worries, life. It gets so frustrating that I stick fingers in my ear singing "lalalalxeedoolaa" and run full speed into a wall to try and stop the circular thoughts. Or...something along those lines. I wouldn't recommend trying that yourself though.