Finding Flow: Creative Ways to Deepen Your Writing Practice and Connect with Characters

Writing is often painted as an exhilarating journey of discovery and storytelling, but let’s be real - sometimes it feels more like an uphill climb through fog. Whether it’s figuring out your characters, crafting believable worlds, or just getting words on the page, the process can leave even the most motivated writer feeling lost, and well and truly stuck in their own heads.

If you’re looking for creative ways to refine your writing practice and connect more deeply with your craft, here are some fresh strategies to guide you.

1. Explore Your Characters Through Snippets

Instead of diving into a full scene or plot, start small. Write moments that give you a glimpse into your characters’ lives without the pressure of a bigger story - maybe you describe their favorite childhood memory or imagine them reacting to an unexpected situation, like finding a mysterious letter or meeting an old rival. If you feel like stepping it up a notch, sit with them and interview them!

Spending time getting to know your character and flesh out their personality can help you uncover details about your characters organically, revealing who they are without feeling overwhelmed by the larger narrative. It's low-pressure and lets you experiment with your character’s personality, quirks, and inner thoughts in a relaxed way.

2. Borrow Real-Life Inspiration

The best characters often feel real because they borrow traits from the people around us. Watch how your friends, family, or even strangers act and speak. What unique habits or expressions do they have? What’s their tone when they’re nervous or excited?

Don’t stop at observation—immerse yourself in stories that inspire you. Watch films or read books that feature characters similar to the ones you’re trying to develop. What makes them compelling? How do they handle conflict or show vulnerability?

Pro tip: Keep a notebook of interesting traits, habits, or lines of dialogue you notice. You’ll never know when it’ll come in handy! Or are you more of a visual learner? Start a vision board for your character, or perhaps digitally through something like Pinterest!

3. Turn Writing into Play... Have fun with it!

Writing doesn’t have to feel like a monumental task. Sometimes, the best way to reconnect with your creativity is to approach it with playfulness. Write scenes that aren’t part of your project - perhaps a completely bizarre scenario where your characters are thrown into a different genre or setting. Not all pages need to end up in your story, and not every minute must go toward your final work - think of this process as an investment.

Give yourself permission to write poorly or absurdly. The goal isn’t perfection, but to loosen the grip of overthinking and have fun exploring what your imagination can do. Playful writing can remind us of why we started in the first place... it’s an outlet for creativity, not just a chore!

4. Journal as Someone Else

If traditional journalling has helped you process your own thoughts, why not try it from someone else’s perspective? Choose a character and journal as them. What are their dreams, fears, or frustrations? How would they describe their day?

This exercise helps you step into their mindset, letting you discover their voice and emotions naturally. Plus, it’s a great way to explore their inner world without worrying about plot structure or pacing - and to warm up for your writing session!

5. Embrace the Power of Small Wins

The idea of completing a novel or even a single chapter can feel overwhelming. Instead, break your writing into bite-sized goals. Draft one paragraph. Write a single conversation. Flesh out one detail about a setting.

Celebrate each small achievement. These incremental victories build momentum and reinforce the joy of progress, no matter how small.

Moreover, this will help you break free of any deadlines you have imposed upon yourself... Take pressure of yourself, step out of your overthinking mind, and enjoy the small wins.

6. Use Freewriting to Break Through Overthinking

Overthinking can paralyse creativity and turn every idea into a painful question mark! Freewriting (where you write continuously for a set amount of time without editing or pausing) can help bypass this mental roadblock. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write whatever comes to mind, even if it’s messy or nonsensical.

You might surprise yourself with the ideas that surface when you stop worrying about getting it “right. Freewriting lets you focus on generating ideas rather than perfecting them, which is a key part of creative flow. The more you engrain this habit into your everyday life, the fewer roadblocks you'll face when the time comes to take your pen (or keyboard, as it were) for a spin!

7. Make Writing a Conversation

Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary act - in fact, we find it can be a lot of fun when it's not confined to solitude! Talk through your ideas with a trusted friend, fellow writer, or even yourself. Sometimes verbalising a problem or brainstorming aloud can reveal solutions you wouldn’t have found staring at a blank page.

If talking isn’t your thing, try recording voice notes when inspiration strikes - this is a great way to capture fleeting ideas when you’re on the go. Better yet, join and share with an online writing community! There are so many supportive communities on the likes of Facebook and other similar platforms.

Final Thoughts

Writing is a journey, and like any journey, it comes with its share of detours and dead ends. The key is to approach it with curiosity and a sense of exploration. Whether you’re experimenting with character snippets, journalling as your protagonist, or embracing the fun of freewriting, every step you take strengthens your craft. Enjoy the process, trust yourself, and let the story unfold. ✍️✨