Working writers know that you have to “work” at being creative. Writer’s block isn’t an option when you are being paid to crank out scripts, novels, or articles. So you have to make it a creative habit every day. The best writers know that you need to set a schedule and stick to it. Treat it like a full time job. Treat creativity like a full time job.

Facing a blank slate is daunting, but you have to start somewhere. Warming up your creative brain is similar to a runner stretching. Stretch your brain with new knowledge, new music, new input. Do something different every single day. Whether it’s driving down a new road, watching a new TV show or listening to a different point of view, try to stretch your brain as much as possible and fuel a creative writing frenzy.

Create mind maps and start filling them in. Set a goal that you will come up with 10 new ways to write more and sell more of your writing. Setting a goal forces you to focus on the task at hand. Don’t edit yourself. Just reach the goal of 10 new ideas and keep the ones that make sense.

Keep an idea file for your writing. Put all of your research and notes into the files as you come up with them. You may not need it now, but keep it handy for the future. You never know when the market is going to change and you want to be ready to change with it. Be ready with new ideas.

Figure out what kind of atmosphere gets you in your creative “zone”. Is it a ritualistic cup of coffee or a certain kind of music? I found that writing a page of “stream of consciousness” nonsense will spur me to start writing. Do something. Anything. But just get started.

There’s no reason you have to create all by yourself. Brainstorm with someone else to get your creative juices flowing. Sometimes talking it out takes you on a completely different path that you hadn’t thought of. And input from someone else may give you ideas you wouldn’t have come up with yourself. Test out a storyline and see what kind of reaction you get from others. Throw out new book and article ideas with someone you trust and get their opinion.

The bottom line is just to get in the habit of doing it every day. The more ideas you come up with, the better your chances of having one of them be brilliant.

Julie Austin is an inventor/author with a book called “The Money Garden: How to Plant the Seeds for a Lifetime of Income”.  http//www.createforcash.com