Losing interest in your story is something that happens to every writer, pro or novice. I should know: it happens to me all the time! So what exactly can you do to keep yourself interested in your own writing? Here are some ideas to help you out:

Start a Pinterest Board

I know that this is a very basic idea, but it’s helpful! Every time I get an idea for a story, I create a board on Pinterest and fill it with ideas for my characters, settings, and even some quotes that match up with the story. It’s a great way to visualize and engage your creativity.

Act Out Your Characters

What do I mean by this? Create your characters’ voices yourself! Give them an accent; act out scenes with them. Who cares if you look like Jekyll and Hyde? Have fun with it and think about how your characters would answer basic questions.

Give Your Story a Soundtrack

If you like musicals like I do, sometimes you’ll imagine your own novel as a musical in and of itself. Give it a soundtrack! Listen to it as you write. What if your main female protagonist gets her heart broken? Would you choose Taylor Swift or Benson Boone? What songs would play during a happy scene? What about a confrontation? Have fun with it and use your imagination!

Watch a Movie Similar To Your Story

I love movies, and something that helps me a lot with writing is watching a film with the same elements as the story I’m brainstorming. I recommend watching a movie in the same time period and setting as your novel. (For example, if you’re writing a story in the Edwardian era of England, don’t watch a Star Wars film for inspiration.) Take notes on the fashion, the dialect, and other notable elements that might help.

Fan Casting!

If you like fan casting your favorite movies, why not do it for your own book? Get creative! Who would you want to play your characters? What would they bring to that character’s performance? How would they deliver their lines? And don’t be afraid to use big names either. The only limit is your imagination!

These are just some basic methods I’ve used in the past up until now, but I’m always open to new ideas. If you have methods of your own, feel free to leave them in the comments!