As a writer, I always find myself looking for better ways to keep track of my thoughts and ideas. Over time I have collected these tips from fellow writers, and advice professional authors have shared with the public that have worked for me. Hope it helps!
1. Keep a Journal! For me, keeping a journal when I was younger was always a struggle. The daily writing was not for me. Eventually I placed it in an accessible location and I found myself jotting down thoughts and more a few times a month. I would write from a sentence to a few pages of pouring ideas. The trick is to write and walk away. When you hit reader's block, and you will, go back to the notebook and read through it. Something will pop out and just watch the story come to life!
2. The Buddy System! Sounds weird but it works. Writing is not a solo job. I've always found it very helpful to have more than one person, if possible more, to read and provide feedback to me. Don't ask people that you know will only tell you the good things. Find the people that will give you an honest opinion, with advice and/or suggestions. This helps you grow that tough skin you will need if your writing turns into a career path.
3. Always Carry a Pen and Paper on You! You might be in the middle of a conversation or far from home, and an idea strikes you. How do you remember it? You write it down. No with all the technology we have at an arm's reach, if you don't have a pen or paper, you could always make a note on your phone or tablet. Just don't forget to transfer it to your journal!
4. Reading Marathons! If you can do a movie marathon, you can do a reading marathon! I would recommend taking a break every hour. Your mind is like a muscle too, don't want to over use it because it will burn out. Set up a reading challenge for yourself. Reading helps to give you ideas and it feeds your imagination. All works are influenced by something else. I personally made a book list, which is ever growing to be completely honest. By the time I finish reading one of them, I've added twenty more! I go through Goodreads and B&N book lists and write down titles and authors that catch my attention. I note if there's a movie rumored to come out for it (makes me read it faster). And bam! A list is born. [Made an example below]
5. Experiment! Keep a shelf cleared and stocked with only your absolute favorite authors. You will discover that you are attracted to a similar style of writing. When you get stuck or want to be creative, pick up one of these books and open to a random page. Read it or write it out by hand to get a feel for their style and voice. Try to mimic it in your own words next. One easy way to do this is through fanfiction. For those that aren't familiar with fanfic, it is a genre that is composed of people's own variations and desired changes to established stories. It's pretty easy to do since you are borrowing a created world and characters that are already developed, and playing doll house with them, to tell your own story. This might spark some ideas for your own! You might end up with a completely different story!
I hope these tips will help you in your writing and to work smart!
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