We all have an image of ourselves typing away late into the night. Our creativity is flowing at maximum levels, the words seem to spill onto paper like water over the falls, and time feels more like a friend than a critic. It’s hard to get into the mindset of the craft, but there are many things you can do to set yourself up for a promising session.

All of us at pspoets want to see your artistry thrive, and that means that we want to do everything we can to make sure you’re getting the most out of your work. Sitting down and forcing yourself to hammer out a few words will only get you so far, so here are # ways for you to get inspired before writing.

1. Make a Cup of Coffee or Tea

One of the best things you can do for yourself is to start your writing sessions with a ritual. For me, I automatically put myself in a position to focus and create when I make a hot cup of coffee or tea. Since 2018 came around, I made a resolution to scale back on the java (each day is a struggle), but I’ve found that making a cup of black tea with a little almond milk is a close second.

The simple act of putting water on the stove, choosing a special mug, steeping a favorite flavor, and sitting down at the desk inspires me to get to work. The warmth of the beverage helps shake away any anxieties about starting, and I always love to see the steam rise from the cup as I’m contemplating the last lines of a stanza.

p.s. Having a beer or a glass of whiskey can also be a great way to get in the mood if that’s more your taste. After all, Bukowski is sort of our mascot.

2. Open the Windows

At times, I can get so caught up in an assignment or a creative project that I’ll keep myself in a dungeon for hours—ultimately weakening the quality of my work. I’ll realize that I completely squandered a beautiful morning, or maybe the rain has been falling all afternoon, and I haven’t even opened the blinds to enjoy it!

Now, I always make it a point to pull back the shade, open the windows, and let the air stream in unencumbered. Even if it’s a small amount of interaction, recognizing the day will ignite you with energy. Plus, if you’re aware of how beautiful it is outside, you’ll be encouraged to get your work done and experience it!

3. Write Outside

To go along with #2, if you’re fed up with your space indoors, pack up your work station and transfer it to a patio or front porch. Maybe there’s a park close by to your house, or maybe you’re only a mile or so from the beach? For me, most of my writing has to happen online for other clients and deadlines, but that doesn’t stop me from pulling a Thoreau and embracing nature. I’ll grab an extension cord from the closet, run the cable out to my little alleyway on the side of my building, and I’ll post up in a lawn chair with an ice cold Pacifico.

Getting some sunshine brings a whole new approach to your writing, and the environment will always instill passion into whatever you’re creating.

4. Do Some Reading Beforehand

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat down at my typewriter only to stare at it for an hour before I wrote something down. Throughout my development as a writer, I’ve learned that unless I have an idea gnawing away at me, or a feeling that I’ve been ruminating with for some time, I always need a little bit of guidance from other writers to get my poetry in motion (pun intended).

Who better to seek advice from Kerouac, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Wolfe? We collect books and pile them onto our shelves and dressers for a reason—to help us find a voice of our own in the midst of humanity. If I’m feeling at a loss for words, I turn to those who have multitudes to say, and their words always help me find a place of my own to start from.

5. Take a Nap

This may seem counterintuitive to the writing process, but for me, taking a nap—anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour—always revitalizes my brain and energizes my body. Think about it, if you’re straining to keep your eyes open, and a 3 O’clock lull hits you like a freight train, why not unplug and find a quiet place to realign?

I equate it to driving while your eyes are heavy. You can’t just power through the freeway and nod off, so you might as well pull over, roll the windows down and count a few sheep. When you wake up, you’ll feel refreshed, and you can make up the time later by burning the midnight oil.

6. Use a Typewriter

If all else fails, the best thing you can do for your creative writing is to use a typewriter.

There’s something comforting about using a device with a specific purpose. Too often, we resort to logging onto the computer or pulling out or phones to capture our ideas, but our reliance on electronics stifles our overall efficiency. I don’t know about you, but when I’m typing on my laptop, I constantly am distracted by emails, Facebook messages, and catchy news articles. In the span of an hour, I’ve probably only had 20 minutes of pure writing, which is basically a total waste when it comes to getting something finished. At that rate, it will take me years to finish a novel, and I don’t want to be an old man at my book release.

Switching your weapon of choice to a typewriter will keep you on track and eliminate outside variables. You feed paper in the top, set your margins, adjust your spacing, and then you let your soul do the work. You’ll be surprised at how much you can write when nothing else grabs your attention.

What’s Your Favorite Way to Get Inspired?

Keep in mind, these things are just suggestions based on what works for me. Everyone is different, and everyone will approach their work in a unique way, but hopefully these ideas will help you stay on track if you’re going astray.

We would love to hear about your writing tips and tricks! Post a comment below or send us an email to let us know how you get creative! We are always looking for contributors to our blog, so please inquire today!

6 Ways to Get Inspired Before Writing