creative-writing

Writers Block

Audio Podcast

Writer’s block is a condition where a writer struggles to produce new work, often feeling stuck, uninspired, or unable to generate ideas. It can manifest as difficulty starting, completing, or finding the right words for a piece, and may be caused by various factors like stress, self-doubt, perfectionism, lack of inspiration, or external pressures.

This is my current situation. After nearly twenty years of blogging, I find it increasingly challenging to discover new topics to explore. I have chronicled numerous events from my life, and I am exhausting compelling subjects. I am an ordinary individual, not someone who accomplishes extraordinary feats. I do not leap tall buildings or halt speeding bullets. I am simply who I am.

I have tried searching many writing prompts, and unfortunately, many do not motivate me to write about the topics presented. Often, I find that the themes are either too narrow, lacking in depth, or simply do not resonate with my personal interests and experiences. I’ve explored various sources hoping to discover something that sparks my creativity and ignites a passion for writing. However, it seems like a never-ending quest to find the right prompt that can truly inspire me and lead to a fulfilling writing experience.

Maybe it is the introduction of AI in my writings that has led to this unsettling feeling. Recently, I have used AI many times lately, experimenting with various tools and techniques to enhance my creative process. However, I am beginning to feel that it is not me who is truly writing anymore; instead, it seems as though my authentic voice is being overshadowed by algorithms and machine-generated suggestions. This has raised questions in my mind about the essence of creativity and individuality in an age where technology can mimic human thought. I find myself longing for the raw, organic flow of ideas that used to come so naturally, all while wondering if I can reclaim my unique perspective amid the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

Maybe it is the discomfort I am experiencing in my right hip for over two months, a persistent ache that has begun to affect my daily activities and overall quality of life. The doctors say it is arthritic degeneration, a term that feels daunting when I consider what it implies for my future. Examination showed that my hip joints are ok, which is a relief, yet the source of my discomfort remains elusive. Despite my efforts with exercises and physical therapy, which I approach with hope and determination, there has not been much change; the stiffness and discomfort linger, casting a shadow over my optimism. I am beginning to think my age is catching up with me and this is something I will have to accept, yet I refuse to let it define me completely. I find myself reflecting on the importance of staying active and engaging in life, even as I navigate the reality of this new limitation.

Maybe I just need to take a break for a while and see if that helps. Writing is becoming more like a job than a task that I have enjoyed throughout the last 20 years. Is burnout raising its ugly head like it did 20 years ago when I retired from the working world? I find myself struggling to put words on the page, feeling pressured by deadlines and expectations rather than inspired by creative impulses. Perhaps stepping away for a bit will allow me to rediscover that initial passion and joy I once felt, helping me to break free from this cycle of stress and regain my enthusiasm. It’s important to remember that creativity often flourishes in moments of rest and reflection, and I hope that this time away will renew my spirit and reignite my love for the craft.

Therefore, that is where I am at the moment. I am just going to wait and see what direction I end up going. Life has a way of taking unexpected turns, and sometimes I find myself pondering what the future holds for me. Oh, I wrote this at 4 in the morning, a time when the world is still and my thoughts seem to flow more freely. I do not have any problem going to sleep; however, my problem is staying asleep after 3 or 4 hours of sleep, then I often wake up feeling restless and unable to return to sleep. Perhaps I need to explore some methods to calm my mind and body, to create a more restful atmosphere that will allow me to drift into a deeper sleep without interruption. Only time will tell the direction I end up going.

Inspirations to Comment About Anything

Audio PODCAST

What Sparks the Pen: My Inspiration to Write Right Now. Writing is a curious thing. Sometimes it flows like a river after a storm, unstoppable and wild; other times, it’s a trickle, barely coaxing itself onto the page. Today, though, I’m compelled to write—not out of duty or habit, but because something’s stirring inside me, a spark that demands to be fanned into flame. So, what’s inspiring me to sit down and craft this article at this exact moment? Let’s unravel it.

First, there’s you—the reader. The idea that someone, somewhere, might stumble across these words and find a flicker of connection or curiosity is a quiet but powerful motivator. I imagine you pausing mid-scroll, maybe sipping coffee or leaning back in a creaky chair, wondering what I’ve got to say. That imagined moment between us, where my thoughts meet yours, feels like a bridge worth building. It’s not about fame or applause; it’s about that small, human exchange that words can ignite.

Then there’s the world buzzing around us. It’s February 25, 2025, and the air feels thick with change—ideas clashing, stories unfolding, questions begging for answers. Every day brings a flood of voices, from the relentless hum of social media to the headlines screaming for attention. Amid that noise, writing feels like a way to carve out a corner of clarity. I’m inspired by the chance to sift through the chaos, to pluck out a thread of meaning and weave it into something coherent, maybe even useful. Today, that thread is inspiration itself—a meta little loop, sure, but one that’s tugging at me nonetheless.

There’s also the itch of creativity, that restless nudge that says, “Make something.” It’s not always loud or dramatic—sometimes it’s just a whisper, a fleeting urge to play with words like they’re puzzle pieces. Right now, that urge is alive, tickling my mind with possibilities. What if I string this sentence just so? What if I turn this thought upside down? Writing becomes a game, a dance, a chance to surprise myself. And honestly, the fact that I can—that I’ve got the tools and the freedom to spin ideas into existence—feels like a gift I’d be foolish to ignore.

But if I’m being real, there’s something deeper too. I’m inspired by the questions that won’t leave me alone. What moves people? What keeps us going when the days get heavy? Writing this article feels like a way to poke at those mysteries, to wrestle with them in the open. It’s not about having all the answers—heck, I don’t even have most of them—but about chasing the questions with a kind of stubborn wonder. Today, that wonders got me by the collar, urging me to spill it onto the page.

I go in streaks. There are moments where I feel incredibly motivated and inspired, as if a flood of creativity has been unleashed, filling my mind with a multitude of thoughts and ideas that I can’t wait to put on paper. It’s during these bursts of inspiration that my fingers dance over the keyboard, producing words that flow effortlessly, capturing the essence of my thoughts in a vivid way. Then there are moments of writer’s block that may extend for long periods, where it feels like my mind is trapped in a fog, and the once vibrant ideas retreat into the shadows, leaving me frustrated and yearning for the spark of creativity. Yet, just when I begin to feel defeated, it seems like a supernatural voice comes to me, whispering encouragement and helping me find the next comment about anything, reigniting the flame of inspiration and giving me the words to express myself once more.

And maybe there’s a bit of defiance in it. The world is chaotic, full of noise and distractions, and writing feels like marking my spot—however small. It’s a way of saying, “This matters to me, and I’ll shape it my way.” Not to show off, but to claim a little space where I can think freely. That quiet rebellion, that choice to create instead of consume, inspires me right now.

So here I am, tapping out these words, driven by a cocktail of connection, curiosity, creativity, and a pinch of stubbornness. What inspires me to write this article at this moment? It’s you, it’s the world, it’s the itch I can’t scratch any other way. It’s the hope that by the time I’m done, I’ll have figured out something new—or at least enjoyed the ride. And if you’re still here with me, maybe you’ll feel a spark of your own. That’d be more than enough.

Memoires

At the time being I am passionate about writing my tales and stories from my eighty plus years of living on this planet. There is a driving force in me that I cannot explain that keeps telling me to put the stories and tales in words. I have become passionate about this project. I spend many hours writing and composing. I wake up in the middle of the night with a prompt about a new rambling. Then I spend an hour a more thinking on assembling and composing it. I am watching tv and think about what I could write about the subject being broadcast. I guess I am hooked.

When I retired in 2006, I started writing. Before then I was too busy working, raising a family, and solving everyday problems one encounters. I joined a writing group, and we would meet once a month, write for an hour and then share our stories and offer suggestions. In 2018 I decided it was time to stop going since my writing interests were declining. Around 2006 I also opened up a Word Press account and published quite often. However, that interest declined after a period.

After my near-death event about fifteen months ago, I dusted off Word Press and starting writing and publishing tales and ramblings about anything. This has created Ramblings Magazine https://tomt2.com/about-dee-t2-0/ I decided a magazine format would work out better for me. One may ask, why a magazine instead of a book? A book could take a long time to compose, and I am at the point where I may have twenty more years or twenty more minutes. Only time will tell.

In conclusion, my passion is writing today and will continue until I am no longer able to.

Daily writing prompt
What are you passionate about?
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