Where Do Writers Get Their Ideas? Filling the Creative Well
From Coach Write · 15:54
Show by Helen ONeill
Where do writers get their ideas? In this Footnotes episode of the Coach Write Podcast, Helen ONeill explores the creative well: why it runs dry, how to refill it, and what a century of research on creativity can teach coaches who write. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why writer’s block is often procrastination in disguise, and the simplest way to get words on the page How Julia Cameron’s ‘filling the well’ metaphor applies to your writing and your coaching practice An honest look at morning pages and artist’s dates, including their roots with Dorothea Brande and Peter Elbow, and when they help or hinder Graham Wallas’s four stages of the creative process, and why research isn’t always procrastination Why boredom and sheer volume of output are two of the most underrated sources of ideas Mentioned in this episode: Scribe Circle writing sprints: https://coachwrite.co.uk/scribecircle Coach Write Residency waitlist (opens January 2027): https://coachwrite.co.uk/residency The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron https://link.amazon/B09LanqxI Gallup Strengths Finder https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/strengthsfinder.aspx Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande https://link.amazon/B04XcnizL The Art of Thought by Graham Wallas https://link.amazon/B06jSqFbl Connect with Helen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneillhelen/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_write Coach Write Reflections newsletter: https://coachwrite.co.uk/reflections Books: https://link.amazon/B07UGqmT8 Subscribe to the Coach Write podcast wherever you’re listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Your words can make a difference; a review can too.
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