Solutions for AI Illustration Writer's Block: A Creative Memo Using Tags → Dialogue → Situations

When creating AI illustrations, there are moments when your hands suddenly stop.

“I should think of an illustration for an event.”
“Hmm, where should I start?”
“Wait, what kind of picture did I want to make in the first place…?”

Getting lost at the entrance like this after you've started thinking.
Actually, this often happens not because you lack ideas, but simply because you are “lost at the entrance.”

I used to go in circles here often, too.
Trying to think about the theme, composition, pose, and outfit all at once, and eventually, time passes without anything being decided.

However, since I started using a certain method, I rarely get stuck due to a lack of ideas anymore.

To put it simply, ideas start flowing when you create them in the order of “Tags → Dialogue → Situation.”

There are mainly three reasons why this method works well.

1. Because tags become a “vessel”
   Event tags already have a theme and atmosphere. You don't have to think from scratch; you have an entrance.

2. Because dialogue becomes the core of the emotion
   Once you decide on a single inner voice, the character's feelings become visible.

3. Because the situation is naturally decided afterward
   Once the emotion is decided, the place and time that suit that voice become clear.

In other words, there is no need to rack your brain for ideas.
You just need to borrow an existing “vessel” and place a small story inside it.

In this article, I have summarized a simple creative memo for that purpose.

Here are the three things you will learn in this article.

• Why AI illustration writer's block is prone to happening

• The concept of “constrained creativity”

• A concrete method for creating stories using Tags → Dialogue → Situation

There are no difficult techniques here.
Rather, this is a memo-like article to help you relax a little ☕✨

If you'd like, what is an event tag you've seen recently that made you think,
“I could probably draw this”?

Chapter 1 | AI Illustration Writer's Block Often Happens When You Are “Lost at the Entrance”

To start with the conclusion, the cause of running out of ideas is not a lack of creativity, but rather that it becomes unclear "where to start thinking from."

When you are creating AI illustrations, don't you have moments like this? 🌷

• "Today, I'll draw a picture for an event."

• "Hmm... what should I decide first?"

• "In the first place, what kind of illustration did I want to make?"

Even though you started thinking, you realize your hands have stopped.
And while you're looking at your timeline, time just seems to slip away...

Actually, thisis not because you lack creativity.

It's just thatthe entrance has become invisible.That's all.

When I first started drawing AI illustrations, I went around in circles here many times too. 🌀

🌱 Typical pattern when running out of ideas

When you can't come up with ideas, in many cases, this is what's happening.

You are trying to decide everything all at once.

For example,

• Theme

• Composition

• Outfit

• Pose

You are trying tothink about these four things simultaneously..

So what happens then...

Your mind ends up in a state like this.

• "Maybe I'll make a spring illustration."

• "But what should I do for the composition?"

• "Should the outfit be a uniform?"

• "No, should I match it to an event?"

Like this, the more you think about it,
the more your thoughts scatter.

And in the end,

"I'll just skip it for today..."

you end up quietly closing the tab.

I've done this many times too 😌

🌸 The trick to getting ideas moving is to "only decide one thing at the start"

The simplest way to break through writer's block is to
only decide one thing at the start.

Don't try to decide everything.
First, just one thing.

This is very important.

Moreover, you don't have to create that one thing
from within yourself.

In fact, what I recommend is,

borrowing it from the outside.

For example,

• event tags

• theme tags

• prompts

This is what it is.

Tags already contain,

• themes

• atmosphere

• context

within them.

In other words, the entry point is already prepared for you.

Trying to create ideas from scratch is difficult, but
borrowing an entry point makes it much easier.

✨ You don't need to 'create from scratch' for ideas

When creating AI illustrations, you might find yourself thinking:

'I have to come up with an interesting idea'

But in reality,
you don't need to create from scratch for a work to function.

In fact, in many cases,

• tags

• a single line of dialogue

• a small situation

With this combination,
a story is born naturally.

In other words, the true nature of writer's block is,

not a lack of ideas, but a lack of entry points.

Just by realizing this,
creating illustrations becomes much lighter.

🌷 Summary in 3 lines

Running out of ideas does not mean
you lack creativity.

It just means you can't see the entrance anymore.

First, try borrowing just one thing
from the outside.

In the next chapter, I will make this way of thinking a bit more concrete.

I will introduce tips for creating an entrance for ideas using a method called "constrained thinking."

Actually, this method is
most effective when you've run out of ideas ☕✨

Chapter 2 | Constrained thinking is a method of placing the "vessel" first

To conclude, constraints do not narrow your ideas, but rather become a "vessel" for placing a story.

Don't you find that when you're told "you can think freely,"
you actually end up stuck? 🌱

It's the same with AI illustrations;
the state where you can draw anything is actually quite difficult.

I used to be like this often too.

• I have to think of an interesting idea

• I have to create a proper finished product

• I have to make an illustration better than others

When you start thinking like this,
the pressure gradually increases.

And in the end,

"Hmm... I can't come up with any ideas today"

is what ends up happening.

However, I realized something at one point.

Ideas move more easily when there are a few restrictions rather than thinking freely
.

🌷 Why restrictions help ideas move

There is actually a simple benefit to restricted brainstorming.

For example, things like this:

• Fewer choices

• Less decision fatigue

• Ability to focus on emotions

Let me explain each one briefly.

First, fewer choices.

When you are in a state where you can draw anything,

• uniforms

• swimsuits

• maids

• fantasy

the themes alone expand infinitely.

But what if you start with

"#competitive swimsuit"

as a tag?

The theme is already decided.

Then, your way of thinking will naturally change.

• What kind of expression would it be?

• What kind of feeling would it be?

• What time of day would it be?

In other words, you will be able to focus on emotions and atmosphere.

This is the role of the "vessel."

🌸 A simple pattern for constrained ideation

Here, I will introduce an ideation pattern that I often use.

It is very simple.

A×B×C Constraint Template

A：タグ / テーマ
B：セリフ（心の声）
C：状況 / 時間 / 場所

Just think in this order.

The point is,
not to decide everything at once.

First, place the vessel (tag).

Place a single line of dialogue there.

And finally,
think of a place that suits that voice.

With just this,
a small story is born naturally.

✨ A small example

For example, it goes like this.

A：#競泳水着
B：「今日こそ笑えるかな」
C：夕方のプールサイ

Even with just this much,

• feelings before a match

• A slightly uneasy atmosphere

• Evening light

Such images come to mind, don't they?

This is the flow of
Vessel → Emotion → Situation
flow.

You don't have to create a story from scratch;
having a vessel makes coming up with ideas much easier.

☕ The first step can be very small

Having read this far,

"But it seems difficult to think of a story all of a sudden"

some of you might have thought.

It's okay.

At first, it can be even smaller.

Today's minimum first step is just this.

• Look at event tags that interest you

• Write down one tag you like

That is enough.

Because tags are
the very entrance to inspiration.

In the next chapter,
I will take this constrained thinking one step further and

"Tag → Dialogue → Situation"

introduce a concrete method for creating a story in this order🌸

Actually, this order
is most effective when you have run out of ideas.

Chapter 3 | The Order I Use: "Tags → Dialogue → Situations"

When creating ideas, I find the "spoken words" before the background.

When thinking of ideas for AI illustrations, what many people struggle with first is the "background" or "composition".

For example, aren't you thinking in this order?🌸

• What should the composition be?

• What outfit would be good?

• What about the pose?

If you think in this order, you will gradually enter a maze.

The reason is that
there are too many choices for backgrounds, compositions, and outfits.

• School

• Cafe

• Rooftop

• City

• Room

Even just for locations, you can choose endlessly.

On top of that, there are

• outfits

• poses

• accessories

When that is added, your thoughts will keep expanding endlessly.

And in the end,

"I can't think of any ideas today..."

is what happens.

I've experienced this many times too😌

🌷 Changing the order of your ideas makes it easier for inspiration to flow

What's important here is
changing the order of your ideas.

Instead of starting from the background,
start from the emotions.

The simplest form of this is

dialogue (inner voice)

.

Dialogue determines

• the character's feelings

• the atmosphere of the situation

• the direction of the story

all at once.

In other words,

dialogue is the core of emotion.

And the background

as a stage that fits those emotionswill naturally be decided afterwards.

That is why I
always follow this order when thinking of ideas.

✨ The order of ideas I use

It is very simple.

1️⃣ Look at tags
2️⃣ Write a line
3️⃣ Add a situation that fits that voice

It is just these 3 steps.

Tags become the "vessel."

In that vessel,

• dialogue

• inner thoughts

are placed.

Then,

"Where is this girl?"

A question like this naturally arises.

The answer to that
becomes the background or situation.

In other words,

emotion → world

is the order.

🌸 Example 1

A：#AI笑顔咲く花
B：「ほら、琴音ちゃん。今日は天気いいよ」
C：桜の舞う屋上

With just this one line,

• spring

• The blueness of the sky

• Cherry blossoms

• The relationship between the two

You can start to see that kind of atmosphere, right?

The background
naturally comes to mind from the dialogue.

🌼 Practical Example 2

A：#メイド曜
B：「無理にポーズしなくて大丈夫ですよ」
C：撮影会後の静かな会場

In this case,

• Photo session

• Maid outfit

• A slightly tired atmosphere

• Kind words

That kind of story is born.

Here too,
what was decided first was

a single line of dialogue.

☕ Ideas can be small

When thinking of ideas,

you might feel like

"I have to create a proper story."

But in reality,

a single line is enough.

For example,

• "The weather is nice today"

• "I'm a little tired"

• "I like this place"

Even from small words like these,
a story begins to move naturally.

In fact,
rather than a big story,

small emotions often expand the imagination more.🌷

🌿 Summarized in 3 lines

The background
can come later.

Just one word first.

That alone
makes the story move.

In the next chapter,
I will take this sequence one step further and

introduce how to use event tags as "idea containers".

Actually, this is
a very strong method for dealing with writer's block.🌸

Chapter 4 | X event tags can be used as "idea containers"

Event tags are not only "places for presentation," but also entry points for ideas.

When you look at X, various event tags flow by, don't they?🌸

• #MaidDay

• #BunnyGirl

• #CompetitiveSwimsuit

• #AI_SmilingBloomingFlower

When you see tags like these, don't you ever feel this way?

• "I have to make a proper piece to participate"

• "Maybe it won't be good enough if the quality isn't high"

• "Maybe it's too early for me..."

I used to think that way at first, too.

When I see event tags, I get nervous thinking,
"I have to create a work that qualifies for participation."

But actually, if you change this mindset just a little,
event tags become a very powerful brainstorming tool.

🌷 Event tags act as a "vessel"

The amazing thing about event tags is that
they already contain various elements.

For example, tags include things like these from the start:

• Theme

• Atmosphere

• Context

In other words,

a "vessel" for a story is already prepared from the start.

For example,

#MaidYou

Just by looking at this tag,
don't you get an image like this in your mind?

• Maid outfit

• Cleaning

• Daily scene

• Calm atmosphere

With just this,
a considerable amount of information is already decided.

In other words, we
don't have to create ideas from scratch.

🌸 How to use event tags (Idea memo)

The method of using event tags for brainstorming is very simple.

Think in this order.

1️⃣ Look at the event tag
2️⃣ Use it as an idea notebook
3️⃣ Write a single line of dialogue

That's all.

The point is,
you don't have to feel like you must participate.

First of all,

“What kind of line comes to mind with this tag?”

It is enough to just try thinking about that.

✨ A small example

For example,

#MaidDay

What can be associated from this tag is something like this.

• Cleaning

• Daily life

• Calm atmosphere

Into this vessel,
I will place a single word.

For example,

• "You don't have to force a pose, it's okay."

With just this one phrase,

• The atmosphere of a photo shoot

• A girl who is a little nervous

• Someone speaking gently

Such a scene comes to mind.

From there,

• A photo shoot venue

• A maid cleaning

• A time when there are fewer people

The situation of that becomes naturally visible.

This is,

Tag → Dialogue → Situation

the flow of the idea process.

☕ Event tags can be used as a "notebook of ideas"

Event tags are
not something you must participate in.

If anything,

using it as a notebook for ideas

will help your ideas flow more easily.
It's better to have that kind of mindset.

For example,

• look at tags that interest you

• think of a single line of dialogue

• write it down

That alone is enough.

Later on,

when you think,

“I like this line,”
you can just create an illustration from it.🌷

🌼 Today's Minimum 1-Step

What I want you to try today
is something very small.

• Look at event tags on X

• save one tag that caught your eye

That is all you need to do.

Because tags are,

the very entrance to inspiration.

In the next chapter, while summarizing what we've covered so far,
I will introduce the "Minimum Idea Generation Memo" that you can use even on days when you're out of ideas.

“Maybe I can't draw today...”

Even on days like that,
this is a way to keep at least the entrance to the story.🌸

Chapter 5 | Minimal Memos to Untangle Writer's Block

On days when you have writer's block, 'tags + one line' is enough.

Among those who have read this far,
there may be some who feel this way.🌷

• 'I understand the method, but it seems like there will be days when I just can't come up with ideas...'

• 'I'm not in the mood today'

• 'I can't think of what to draw'

It's okay.
Those days,happen to everyone.

In fact, if you keep making AI illustrations,
days without ideas will definitely come.

And in many cases,
the cause of running out of ideas is the same.

That is,

trying to complete the work.

🌸 On days with writer's block, don't aim for 'completion'

There are things you tend to do on days when you can't come up with ideas.

That is,

• thinking about a proper composition

• imagining the finished form

• trying to make it to a level that can be posted

This kind of thinking.

However, if you do this,
the entry point becomes increasingly heavy.

And in the end,

"I can't draw today..."

is what ends up happening.

That is why on days when you have run out of ideas,
making the goal smalleris important.

☕ The smallest unit of idea generation

The smallest unit of idea generation is very simple.

Tag + one phrase

That is enough.

In other words,

タグ
↓
セリフ
↓
状況

out of this flow,
on days when you have run out of ideas, just the first twoare fine.

• Look at the tags

• Write just one phrase

If you can do this much,
the entry point for the story is already created.

🌼 Writer's block checklist

On days when ideas won't come,
these are the three things I often check.

• Are the tags decided?

• Did a line of dialogue come out?

• Is the situation okay for later?

Looking at these three,

If you have decided on just a tag and a single phrase,
that is enough for today.

In fact, if you have gotten this far,
the seed for your next illustration is already created.

🌷 On days when you really can't think of anything, borrow some "words"

Even so,

"I really can't come up with any ideas today..."

There are days like that, aren't there?

In those cases,
use a little bit of input.

I recommend
looking at a line from your favorite work.

For example, using a famous quote,

Just from this one line,

• are they acting tough?

• are they serious?

• are they a little lonely?

You can imagine various emotions.

From here,

• what kind of character are they?

• what kind of place are they in?

As you think about these things,
the entrance to a story will naturally appear.

In other words,

Words → Emotions → Situation

is the order.

This is also the same concept as
"Tags → Dialogue → Situation"🌸

🌿 Today's Small Action

Finally, just one thing you can do today.

Today,
you don't have to draw a single picture.

First,

• find one event tag

• and place just one word there

That is enough.

Once that word is out,
the entrance to your next illustration is already created.

Thank you for reading this far🌷

This article is structured in the order of:

• Empathy (common writer's block struggles)

• Theory (constrained thinking)

• Procedure (tags → dialogue → situation)

• Examples (event tags)

• Action (minimal memo)

This flow is used to...

By using this flow,

• Makes it easier to read

• Makes it easier to save and review

It is designed that way.

If this article was even a little helpful,
please tell me about an event tag you've seen recently

"I think I could draw this"

that you thought of! ✨

Chapter 6 | Summary: Writer's block is not a "lack of ideas" but a "lack of entry points"

Thank you for reading this far. 🌸
Finally, I will gently summarize the points of this article.

AI illustration writer's block is,
in many cases, not a lack of ideas.

Actually,

it is often just that you can no longer see "where to start thinking from"
as a case.

That is why what is important is
not to force yourself to squeeze out creative ideas,

but to create an entry point for ideas.

That is why I introduced
this simple order this time.

🌷 Basic Idea Memo

タグ
↓
セリフ
↓
状況

Just by thinking in this order,

• Theme

• Emotion

• Background

connects naturally.

🌸 Why this order works well

The reason is very simple.

• Tags become the vessel

• Dialogue becomes the core of emotion

• The situation is naturally decided afterward

In other words,

borrow an entrance from the outside, and just place a small voice there.

With just that,
the story begins to move slowly.

☕ Minimal memo for days with writer's block

On days when you can't think of ideas,
it's okay not to force yourself to finish.

For now, this is enough.

• Look at event tags

• Write just one word

With just that,

the seed for the next illustration remains.

🌼 Small words move the story

For example,

• “The weather is nice today”

• “I’m a little tired”

• "I like this place."

Even with casual words like these,
a story can expand from there.

You don't need a grand drama.

In fact,

small emotions often
create the atmosphere of an illustrationmore often than not.

🌿 A final word

AI illustrations
don't need to start from a perfect idea.

They are things that
gradually expand from a small entrance.

So, if
you run out of ideas next time,

"Tags → One phrase"

please just try to remember that.

Just by doing that,
you will surely see the entrance to a new illustration✨

If you'd like, please let me know🌸

Among the event tags you've seen recently,
which one did you think looked interesting?