The archenemy of any author is their own brain. It seems contradictory because that’s where ideas are born. That’s true, but writing is the equivalent of putting a treat on a dog’s nose. Brilliant stories that have potential to change the world are within reach, but they seem impossible. One of my teachers in college describes this phenomenon as Artist and Editor. (Artie and Esther for this example) Artie is the friend who texts “Dude, I’m coming to your house and we’re going to drive to Vegas” at 2 a.m. on a Sunday. He gives you memories to last a lifetime without any regard to consequences. Esther is the friend who doesn’t mind going to Vegas this weekend, but has to work at 8 a.m. She’s a planner while Artie sees all of the amazing memories  are going to happen. The artist chases  wonderful emotions when an idea sparks. Everything maps out perfectly. This idea revolutionizes the genre. Movie and Theme park deals are on the horizon. The editor is the doubts. “Does a similar story already exist ?” “That sentence is awkward.” “ Should an event happen earlier?” They both have an important part of the process, but each  their own time. Stories can’t make progress because a block prevents continuing the project. Is Esther being a bit of a killjoy? The suggestions below few ideas to get the artist to take back control.

Write a Scene Inspired by A Favorite Song

Music holds importance  to many writers’ lives. Put it to work. The song currently on repeat? Write a scene that matches either the theme of the song, or the emotions a character  feels hearing it. Another fun challenge is including the song title in the piece somehow.  Someone going through a break up? “So Sick” by Ne-Yo  tells the tale of a person grieving a relationship. Think about why the relationship ended. How long was the couple together? Where does the break up happen? Is it spontaneous? Answers to these questions create experiences to write about. 

Try a New Format

Curious about a different format? Try it out. For example, if someone normally writes novels, but wants to attempt  web comics, then they can research research comic examples and start writing. New formats force a creator to adapt. Change is terrifying, but the lessons writers can learn from trying a few can produce something amazing. No one has to see the outcome if the experience turns out to be horrible. It’s our secret. 24-hour play festivals or improv groups are a fun ways to challenge creativity. With plays, playwrights account for everything that happens on stage. Props at their disposal, area available for the stage, and location of the actors. Authors often forget to describe the setting, or misplace objects, or characters in a scene. Playwriting strengthens setting the background for a scene before any actions begin. Readers visualize the world better when there is a clear layout. Improv compels individuals to build off each other so a narrative stays consistent.

Favorite Trope? Write it.

Every fan of any form of media has favorite tropes. Love when friends fall in love? Classic friends-to-lovers trope. What needs fixing? An example is enemies-to-lovers. Most readers who have problems with these storylines and argue the characters aren’t enemies. They don’t like the other person. Often once they get to know the person better, they fall in love. Annoyance doesn’t equal hatred. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross portrays annoyance well. Iris Winnow and Roman Kitt are workplace adversaries competing for a permanent columnist position at their local newspaper. Both are annoyed whenever the other gets an article because they begrudgingly admire each other as colleagues. Hatred can be a fun dynamic to explore because it doesn’t have to be rational. Animosity can grow for a number of reasons.  

Of  Elves and Embers by Elle Madison and Robin D. Mahle showcases true hatred very well by having one character hold the other because they are a reincarnated priestess with none of her memories from her past life. Her captor hates her because the previous reincarnation lied to him in order to save the kingdom. Each has their own valid reasons to hate the other, but still find their path to love.

Play with Small Conflicts

A common belief is that conflict has to be something major. Every couple doesn’t have to be cheating on each other, or hiding secrets which change everything. Two people fight over household chores. The whole day can derail if someone loses a shoe. Maybe a text doesn’t send, and a character freaks out because they think the worst. Think about common occurrences that can change something and explore those. Couples don’t have to break up in order to create conflict. Sometimes regular life tends to be dramatic enough.

Every creative person needs a healthy dose of the artist and the editor. Creative brain freeze happens to everyone. Some exercises that can help keep ideas coming are writing a scene based on a song, exploring favorite tropes, or “fixing” a common problem with execution. Don’t be afraid to learn from different formats. Finally, embrace small conflicts in a story. Small inconveniences can derail a whole week. It doesn’t always have to lead to injury, death, or heartbreak. Reality has plenty of drama to prove the point.