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Maybe you've dreamed up an idea or concept, but you just can't seem to make it work. In frustration, you ditched it, but can't seem to stop thinking about it. Here's how to salvage a creative concept.



  1. 1
    Break it down into the simplest form possible. What is your idea really about? For example, a story about a dog chasing a ball has an important character (the dog), an important object (the ball), and an important need, want, or conflict (the dog's desire to catch the ball). You can apply the same technique to your idea, whether it's visual art or writing.
  2. 2
    Change the medium. Maybe that idea you had for a stage play would be much better as a short story, and maybe the digital art piece you had envisioned would look better on canvas. At the very least, it's a new perspective.
  3. 3
    For written works, change the way it's framed. Start your story in medias res (in the middle of the action) rather than where you originally started. Changing the beginning usually changes the way you look at the novel.
  4. 4
    Break it up. For example, if you're being challenged by a novel, focus on each chapter individually. For visual art, focus on one element at a time. Then, late on, sure everything works together.
  5. 5
    Know your work. Do research if you have to. For written work, complete character quizzes, until you know your characters inside and out. For visual art, look at stock images and other reference photos. They really do help!


  • Stay calm, and be patient! Creative processes take time, and forcing them doesn't help.

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Categories: Ideas and Inspiration

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