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by Charlie Kaneer, Opinion Section Editor
The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
I am writing this a day before the editing deadline after my teacher so graciously gave me a two week extension on this story. Even worse, I just got my interviews today. I am a procrastinator. So, I decided to write a story about it… nearly four weeks ago.
The irony of this situation does not escape me. I even laughed about it in the shower while I thought of my beginning line for this story. I mean, how could someone not? This is comedy gold. However, something that is not comedy gold is the stress that comes from it. The ever-present dread of a deadline.
So, the deadline is fast approaching- how do you deal with that? Personally, I try to give myself an incentive. That oatmeal cream pie calling my name from the kitchen? She’s mine after this story. I also like to make it fun- which is why I’m attempting to relax my more academic style, so I can make myself laugh while writing this. Also, if the assignment is particularly pesky, I pull out the big guns: video game soundtracks (Mario Kart, Okami, and Minecraft being my go-tos). However, my methods aren’t for everybody, so I made sure to ask around.
Sleep is always a good method to clean your mind and give birth to a plethora of ideas- which is what Jackie Jones (11) does, confiding “I sleep on it and restart when I feel rested.” Sometimes even procrastination takes work- and you have to rest your overworked brain until it’s ready to move on to better things, like that late math assignment or that essay due in thirty minutes. Sleeping not your forte? Do you like to take a more hands-on approach? No problem! Jayla Shanmugam (12) has got you covered. “If I’m working on something academic, I might do research and talk to some friends to try and find some perspective on the topic. If it’s a personal piece I’m working on, and I can’t find anything to write about then, I will just go out and live my life. That way I can find inspiration in the world, whether that be through strangers I see around or my own experiences,” she explains, suggesting, “My advice would be to get some perspective and go seek inspiration.”
How about some outside time to cure that dreaded writer's-block? English Teacher Ms. Dyer says “Oftentimes I'll go for a walk to clear my head. When I'm taking a longer break from working, I'll let myself forget about what I'm trying to write/make before going back to it.” Take a break, take a deep breath, and see what the world has to offer! If you’re more into fine arts, do you experience art-block? Well, art teacher Ms. Boiarski expresses, “Sometimes just playing and experimenting with materials can spark an idea. If I'm really pressed for ideas, I may look at a list of drawing prompts online from something like Inktober or Drawlloween.” Sometimes experimenting out of your comfort zone is the best way to spark up inspiration. Create a new character, try a new style, or a new drawing medium. Ms. Boiarski also suggests, “Try just experimenting with materials, without an end product in mind at the start. Do something you enjoy and that you find relaxing. Go for a walk. Look around you and try to notice little things that make you happy. See shapes in the clouds. Let your mind wander. And, if all else fails, look for inspiration online.”
Most people can agree with one thing: Inspiration is everywhere. You just have to look outside of yourself and your former thoughts and opinions on your work to reach out and grasp what you are looking for. Or, if you are like me, you force yourself to write an entire story about it just so you can find inspiration yourself. Whatever works. Hopefully you found something useful in this, and if you did, happy creating!
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