Create a Collage

One of the things that writers often struggle with is coming up with ideas in order to get started writing. I'm having that problem today. I have a chapter that I need to finish and I know what needs to be covered in the chapter, but I can't figure out how to get started.

So, I came up with an idea to help out with this problem -- start a collage.

Mine is beginning to form on the wall behind my computer. I can't help but see it because it's right there on the wall as I'm typing on my computer. Basically what I've done is print out pictures of people who remind me of my characters. That way when I look at them, I think about them. I imagine what they are doing and that stimulates my imagination for writing.

You can use anything for your collage, as long as you can tape it to the wall, or you could create the collage on cardboard if you prefer. There are an infinite number of pictures on the internet. Just type in the subject you need to search and eventually you'll find what you need. You can save the images in a file on your computer, or print them out and add them to your collage so you can see them while you're writing. Then choose something from the collage and do a 15-minute timed writing. Go!