by S.E. Ingraham

Created on: August 28, 2009   Last Updated: September 25, 2009

I know how it is, you feel like you will never have another creative thought in your life. Writer's block looms large. It seems as solid as concrete, and just as immovable. If only there were some things you could do to move the block or to prime the pump, so to speak.

Don't despair every writer at some time feels as drained of creativity as you do. And there are more ways to work through writer's block than you might think.

Probably the most important way to get the creative writing process moving is to keep it moving.

What the heck is she talking about, I can practically hear you screaming at the computer screen. If it's not moving to begin with, how can I keep it moving?

Let me share some of my personal experience in this area.

I have been a writer most of my life. We're talking more than five decades. However, during that time, there have been periods when my output has been extremely prolific and other times sometimes months and months when my writing out-put has almost dried up.

It took me what seemed like forever to come to the realization that when I was at my most productive, was also during the times I was doing some things consistently.

For instance, I never went anywhere without a notebook and pen, and I was forever jotting things down.

Sometimes it would be just one-line notations of ideas that occurred to me while I was driving my kids to and from activities. Other times it would be out-of-the-blue oddities that crossed my mind, things I knew if I didn't write down immediately, I would never remember once I had a chance to sit down and put pen to paper.

So number one thing to start your motor carry paper and pencil or pen everywhere, no exceptions. If you are the forgetful type and believe me when I say I feel your pain leave paper and writing implements in places you frequent often, or in things you have with you often.

For me, this means I have little notebooks in our bathrooms, in my purse, in the pockets of my jackets, plus in both my husband's and my car (in case we switch off which is often the case), another by the phone and so on.

Next, I've also been a prodigious journal keeper for most of my life. My only regret in this area is that I can't say I've kept a journal for my entire life.

Journals are a huge source of inspiration to kick-start the creative writing process. Sometimes I'll pick a year that I think I remember everything about, let the journal just fall open and suddenly, there will be a line

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