Go On a Soundtrip

Yes, go on a sound trip! I mean, who doesn't like music? Whether it be jazz, rock and roll, or classical, it simply inspires us. Music has the power to give out a certain emotion, depending on the genre, like you might be listening to Madonna for a good work-out song as you go jogging in the morning.

People have different opinions on music, so you are the one who knows best what music you may want to listen to. It is up to you whether you may want to listen to songs as you write along, or before when you're in a rut.

But what type of music should you listen to? As I've said a few sentences up, people have different tastes in music, so anything you like will do. If you have not a single idea on what music to listen to, try searching through youtube, and maybe click through different musicians you have never even heard of before. Experiment with your taste, well, it is a sound trip, so why not try having fun along the way.

It is not appropriate for you to be listening to "Joy To the World" when you are stuck in a part in your story, wherein an important character in your book dies, and it will never will be. Fast-paced music like "Eye of the Tiger" won't do for sad, dramatic scenes, and you would also want to feel your characters grief and remorse in your book, so it is important to find the right songs to fit your story. The classic "Eye of the Tiger" will probably be good for when somebody tries to reach a goal. If you really want to feel the feelings in a scene, find a song that is a good mood-setter.

Here are a couple of songs that I find to be good mood-setters:

: Let It Be - The Beatles 
:You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban
:Bullet with Butterfly Wings - Smashing Pumpkins
:Go the Distance - Michael Bolton
 

So go ahead, play a song, get caught in the music and write!

Take a Hike!

Everybody knows that common saying, "Take a Hike". This simply implies that you should go take a walk! Even if it's just by the nearby park, or the mall, just take some time to breathe in the fresh air, and see the surroundings around you.

Why is it so common for people to say that? Staying at home for the rest of your lives could be bad, no sunlight, means no energy, and no energy means no inspiration. Nowadays, we do have the internet, and basically everything is in there, but what harm can a breath of fresh air do to you? Let it refresh you, and take time to appreciate what is around you.

Being at home won't help if you're at a loss for ideas, you stare outside your window and see the neighbor's cat, some kids walking home, and maybe even the nice old lady next door almost ramming down your lamp post (well, it depends where you live). The point is that, there isn't much to see inside the house, there is nothing new, and could be quite boring. If you are busy in your home, got a lot of chores to do, and probably taking care of the children in your house, just make a few arrangements for yourself, and get out of the house.

Get in touch with nature, visit a local coffee shop, take your kids for a walk, drive around Las Vegas if you want. An idea can come at any moment, you could just be sitting at the park bench and see a vandalized tree, and it brings you back to a moment in your life you have forgotten. Maybe even if you overhear a conversation in the mall (I'm not telling you to go around and listen to other people's conversation), it could strike up an idea for a book!

Example 1:

Girl 1: Hey, what are we going to do about that science project?
Girl 2: Oh you mean the one about Blastocysts?
Girl 1: Yeah.
You: (Hmm.. wonder what that is)
You: *Gets home, searches it up on google, becomes highly interested, comes up with an idea for a new story based on Blastocysts.

Example 2 (without the whole overhearing part):

You: *Skipping down the road, trips on a rock, sees a squirrel far ahead, stands up, sees a funny looking formation on tree. (Hmm... That will be a good symbol for a long lost civilization)
Me: Congratulations! You just found a good idea you could build on!

My exact point is that, if you found yourself dreading to find an idea or inspiration, and you found yourself staying at home all through those times, try taking a walk anywhere. An idea, or inspiration can come up at any time. I am not saying that staying at home is bad, but if you really do find yourself in that kind of situation, TAKE A HIKE!