Getting Rid Of Writer's Block

It happens to everyone. You can't form a single sentence to save your life, even in the middle of a brilliant idea. Things just don't seem to connect and you're rethinking the entire plot of your story. Writer's block is seemingly inevitable, and who knows how long it will last? But no worry, there are some exercises you can use to help get things going again.

The best thing for a writer to do is to keep the pencil moving, no matter what. Sometimes this means resorting to writing about some fairly mundane things. However, if done properly, this can be quite an interesting experience. The first step: go outside.

Writing Prompts #2

Have you got that pesty writer's block again? These writing prompts should help inspire you! Try one of these prompts that you normally would not write about, but add your own style to it! Doing that will keep things fresh and exciting!

1. Your brother-in-law is arriving home from Iraq this afternoon. You stand there with your husband's (or wife's) family, seeing all the troops find their loved-ones. Finally, your brother-in-law finds your group, but you can't help but notice one troop that doesn't have a family to come home to. What do you do?

2. You're sitting in your living room watching the news. The news anchor is describing a serial killer who knocks three times on the front door, then attempts to break in through the back while the homeowner is distracted. Suddenly, you hear three knocks on your door... What do you do? Maybe it's just a neighbor? Your wife has too many groceries in her hands to open the door? How would you handle this scenario? Build up the suspense.

Landscape Photography: Shoot The Small Stuff, Too!

You're enthralled by the spectacular views from high up a mountain. The wildflowers add the perfect amount of foreground interest as you photograph the immense valley before you. The sunset sparkles on the horizon above the valley and casts brilliant golds and oranges. While this an enticing moment for anybody - with or without a camera - the photographer must step back and notice the small details of the terrain that add to it's grandeur.

Grasses create wonderful abstracts.

Step Back, Then Scoot In!

Some of the most valuable images in nature/landscape photography come from examining the small parts that actually make the landscape what it is. Surely, the Pacific Northwest wouldn't have the look it does without its massive fir trees. Just like no one could think about the Arizona desert without its cacti! It is important for the landscape photographer to "step back, then scoot in" to capture images of these things.

Portraiture Tips: Capturing The Moment

Ironically, the concept of "change" is the only constant thing in our world. And out of all the things that change, people must be one of the fastest. Be it changing positions, changing expressions, or changing emotions, it can all happen in a moment. These moments are the bane of every portrait photographer, and so the artist seeks to capture it before something changes again.

1. Understand The Personality

Show "the other side" of your subject.

If you've already met the subject in your photo, then you have an advantage. Maybe you're friends, roommates, etc. The important part is that you know the character of the person you're photographing. Once you understand that character, it's usually a matter of peeking in to see the other side of their personality. Richard Avedon was one of the most famous and sought-after portrait/fashion photographers in the latter half of the 20th century, and had a way of prying open the doors of the soul that revealed some of the true nature of his subjects.

There is a famous photo of Marilyn Monroe that he happened to shoot that showed her melancholic, and looking exasperated. Anyone that knows anything about the woman understands that she had an extroverted presence at all times. Nobody in the media viewed her any differently until Avedon captured that moment. In most cases, the best portraits are the ones that open the eyes of the viewer. But, of course, this can't happen unless you know your subject's typical behavior. Make sure to tell the story through the image.

Writing Prompts #1

If you're stuck in a rut and can't find the inspiration to create your literary art, these writing prompts should help get the creative juices flowing!
In the comments section, go ahead and post the story you've written with the help of these prompts. Show everyone your interpretation!

1. An attractive brunette woman is holding hands with a man wearing thick-framed glasses, a pocket protector, and an orange argyle sweater. What is their story? How did they meet?

2. You're walking back home from a date. Due to construction, the street and sidewalk are completely blocked off, forcing you to walk through a dark alley to the next street over. You hear a loud noise. How does the rest of this scene play out?

The Pilot Post

Welcome to Art Help Online, where I'll post the information that artists are looking for in their time of need. There's no doubt that my life thrives on creation. But as I try new creative ventures, I run into problems or difficulties - especially one's that are pinpoint specific. Because I've immersed myself in the art of photography, painting and other traditional media, writing, and music, I've had to spend hours totaled on the internet to find information that will help me. This means I have a lot of knowledge in these creative arts, so I decided to compile it all on one website named Art Help Online. That way, no matter if you're looking for writing prompts or the proper way to take a long-exposure photograph, it can all be found on one site for you to easily navigate through.

Since I don't know everything, I am happy to take submissions of your articles that you think people may want to see. Simply head over to the Submissions page and send me your article, plus a couple pictures you'd like in the text. I welcome any and all advice, but it has to be well-written and with an original approach to the topic you're discussing.

I hope you can find what you're looking for here at Art Help Online!

Be creative,

Jordan

Founder