10 Ways to Reignite Your Creative Writing Practice
After finishing Honours, I hit pause on creative writing for a while. Burnout is real, and after that kind of intensity, I needed a reset. Fast forward to now: I’m working, building a life I genuinely love, and finally ready to return to the stories I care about most. But picking it back up hasn’t been seamless. That initial spark can be harder to find than expected.
If you’re feeling disconnected from your creativity, you’re not alone. Whether it’s been a few days or a few months, here are 10 ways that help me shake off the rust and get back into my writing flow.
1. Change Your Environment
Writing in the same space every time can make things feel stagnant—especially if that space is tied to pressure or productivity. Switching rooms, going analog with pen and paper, or taking your notebook outside can be a subtle reset that makes a big difference.
2. Try a Prompt (Even If You Think You Hate Them)
Prompts used to feel like a waste of time to me, but they actually give you structure to play within. They take the pressure off coming up with something "worthy" and let you explore something unexpected. Jonathan Wright’s 510 Creative Writing Prompts is a solid resource, and there are tons of great prompt blogs online.
3. Switch Up the Soundtrack
Music is my go-to mood-setter. I lean into instrumental film scores because lyrics distract me (and I will start singing). If your usual playlist feels stale, dig around for something fresh—new sounds can spark new scenes. Favourites of mine include Oblivion by M83, The Martian by Harry Gregson-Williams, and The Age of Adaline by Rob Simonsen.
4. Brainstorm Without Judgment
I'm not a natural brainstormer. I hate the chaos of unstructured thoughts. But when I let go of perfection and just write whatever comes to mind, ideas start to flow. Don’t censor. Don’t overthink. Let it be messy. You can organise later.
5. Revisit Your Favourite Book
There’s nothing like rereading a book you love to remind you why you wanted to write in the first place. It helps you reconnect with the magic of storytelling and the tools authors use to build immersive worlds. Think of it as study, but fun.
6. Watch a Movie for Storytelling Inspo
Movies can be powerful for visualising story beats, tone, and character arcs. While they don’t replace reading, they can reignite your interest in storytelling from a different angle. Plus, you get a break from the page.
7. Dive Deeper into Your Characters
If you’re stuck, the issue might not be plot—it might be character depth. Use questionnaires to learn more about your characters’ fears, habits, values, and quirks. Even doing this for side characters can create new subplots and motivations.
8. Freewrite for 10 Minutes
No rules. No editing. Just words. Freewriting is uncomfortable but useful—you’ll often find a sentence or image that surprises you. And if nothing else, it gets you past the fear of a blank page.
9. Let Yourself Daydream
Not everything needs to be productive. Lie on the couch, stare out the window, let your brain wander through your story world. Daydreaming is a part of the process, even if it doesn’t feel like “work.” Often, your best scenes will come from this space.
10. Buy the Damn Notebook
Sometimes a fresh page and a brand-new pen are all it takes. Writing is tactile, and new stationery can make the act feel inviting again. If you’ve been eyeing a new journal or pen, treat yourself. It might be the exact nudge you need.
Writing ebbs and flows, and that’s okay. What matters is creating space for it to return—without pressure, without perfectionism, and with a bit of curiosity for what might come next.