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Rediscover your influences

David Gane
David Gane

If you've been writing for a while but are feeling lost, a helpful exercise is to look back at your influences when you were younger.

Books, movies, TV, music, artwork, buildings... Whatever it takes.

I've recently been listening to old albums I'd play on repeat in my twenties. I'm not sure if new writing will immediately grow from it, but it's undoubtedly re-energized me when I show up at the page.

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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