If Your Writing Gets Stale…

mad magazineEver feel like you’re in a slump with your writing? It needs something fresh? One trick I’ve found is to read something in a completely different genre. Then, if inspired, even write something short in a similar voice.

When you go back to the first project, you may find new inspiration.

For example, I recently bought a MAD Magazine at Casablanca Comics in Portland, ME. I hadn’t read MAD since I was fourteen or so and I felt like a pre-teen again as I turned the pages, lying belly down on my friends’ lakeside dock, sometimes laughing out loud.

Inspired by the humorously insulting “Letters (and Tomatoes) to the Editor” I wrote my own. With no agenda except playfulness, it was easy to open up and discover an aspect of my writing voice beyond my usual voice.

After writing the letter a month ago, I finally typed it into my computer and sent it to the editor today. Who knows what will come of it, but I immediately felt the freedom in my writing voice the day after I wrote it. I’m feeling some of that same inspiration today and plan to capitalize on it.

Lisa Tener

Lisa Tener is an award-winning book writing coach who assists writers in all aspects of the writing process—from writing a book proposal and getting published to finding one’s creative voice. Her clients have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox News, New Morning and much more. They blog on sites like The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and WebMD.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa, I often read something for inspiration, and am always inspired to write, but I never thought of reading something in another genre. Great idea!!! Thank you

Indie published Joy of Writing Journal.

Get Lisa's Award-Winning Book

The Joy of Writing Journal:

Spark Your Creativity in 8 Minutes a Day

Winner of the Silver Nautilus Book Award & IPPY Award

Screen Shot 2020-09-07 at 10.05.50 PM