by Diggle

Created on: December 16, 2008

Every writer needs a source of fresh ideas from time to time. Even the most famous and prolific hacks have occasionally been confronted with a sheet of crisp white paper (nowadays a crisp white word processor screen) and hesitated about what to write. Happily one thing no writer need do in the presence of the internet is struggle for inspiration. Here are some suggestions for you to get your writing going, as well as links to further resources with sufficient creative prompts to keep the next Hemingway busy.

The best way to write is simply to write....and write.... and write often. So don't spend time agonising over which suggestion will lead to the start of a blockbuster novel or an online article destined to be read by millions. Just pick one suggestion below and start making your keyboard (or pen) work for its keep. If one doesn't inspire you then try another and start writing.

Suggestion one: re-interpret a traditional story.

Here you can use an almost infinitely broad spectrum of existing material to draw on in your pursuit of something to write. Everything from a well-known fairy story, to a biblical tale, to a standard literary classic such as the tempest. For example tell Red Riding Hood's tale from the wolf's point of view. Try and make him the hero. Perhaps he had good reason to take out Red and her grandma (or maybe the Brothers Grim failed to realise that the wolf was a she and how that influenced events). For extra fun, combine elements from more than one story.

Suggestion two: timed ideas.

Take a pen and a piece of paper and set a watch or timer to countdown five minutes. Then write whatever words and concepts come into your head during those five minutes. Don't worry that your mind might go blank. People need to practice meditation and breathing techniques for years to achieve a truly empty mind. The important thing is that your pen should keep moving until the timer goes off as you spin out words and thoughts, however random and jumbled they may be. Being under pressure can force your creativity: you'll find yourself writing things in desperation. But when you look back over your ideas, you'll probably find some gems in there.

Suggestion three: respond to someone else

Responding to someone else whether you agree, want to criticise them or go off on a on a wildly varying tangent is a way to get writing. Think of a famous quote. Is it a valuable insight or a subtle mistake? Look up a great historical speech. How did things turn out afterwards. Did it

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