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I have a problem and its a problem that I have really struggled with.. I can't seem to turn tricks into something original and my own. I don't know how to create a good patter that has flow, good misdirection and something a bit different, even combining tricks. How have you guys got around this and what would you suggest to an amateur like me? Thanks.

Well I'll chime in until someone comes along with proper advice, I would suggest learning and performing the routines well and not worry about making it unique or your own, that will come as you find your performing style and character. Some good tricks and solid ability will be much more useful to you than a story about a 4 ace 'rock band' or whatever patter you stick on.
If you do the trick enough you'll find which bits you like and don't like, or see a space for something you could add to it, and over time you'll make it your own almost without thinking about it (probably).

How long have you been doing magic? Creating your own effects and making things your own is something that comes with time. The first thing that you might want to do is think about your character, what sort of performer are you, what persona do you want to put across. Are you a David Blaine or Tommy Cooper? All of these things will affect how you present your magic. Don't force it or rush it, it's something that comes naturally and develops the more you perform.

As above, and also i might add a vital lesson that i was taught.

dont learn a magic trick. Understand it.

Dont just learn step by step. thisnk 'okay, how did i get into the position?' 'how can i get back to the last step?'

understand why it works, then you can adapt tricks on the fly, redo parts you need to, or get yourself one ahead.

a lot of card tricks you learn and just do 3 DLs, a couple of elmsleys, a quick asher twist, flustration blah blah blah but you never actually know where each card is.

stop tricks halfway through in practice. see where you are. understand the workings of everything.

in terms of creativity - LEARN EVERYTHING! the more you learn, the more you can add to your magic, embellish, adapt the methods for performing, create short cuts additions etc.

good luck

Alex Elmsley's 'perfect' card trick: Force a card using your favourite force, have it returned to the deck and control it using your favourite control, then reveal it using your favourite reveal. The point being that although the routine and outcome are the same, there are almost infinite ways of doing the trick and when you add the performer's individual style and personality, the possibilities truly are infinite.

I haven't seen that Elmsley thing before, that's awesome!

Since I rarely perform tricks for anyone that doesn't already know me, I just act like myself - performing a card trick. I talk how I usually do, and this generally means making silly remarks and being ridiculous. I sometimes do absurd things with my patter such as asking someone to visualise a huge explosion with their card flying through the air and shooting right through their head and sticking on to the back of their brain, then to imagine a ninja grabbing their card and throwing it out of their brain and into mine or some other equally ridiculous visualisation, when doing a mind reading trick of mine. This all fits with how I am as a person; rather absurd and silly. So in terms of patter I think its best to do something that suits you as a person and that you feel comfortable with.

In terms of creating tricks, just learn the principles and fundamentals, and you'll eventually come up with new ways of stringing them together.

Time really is a big thing. Pick up a simple effect and learn it. Learn it well and perform it often. Learn new stuff but don't let go of the old. As you learn more effects and more presentations, without even realizing it that first effect will change, it will take shape, it will grow with you. Eventually it will become yours. Aside from that here is what I learned from Jeff McBride.

Make three lists. List number one should be all the trials and tribulations of your life. Your ups and your downs. Get it out there on paper.

List number two. List all the effect you really love, doesn't matter if you have ever done them, or you do them every 10 minutes. Just list the ones you really love, love to do, love to watch.

List three. This list containes all the effects you have, or think you have mastered.

First, if your first list is shorter than the other two, put away the magic and walk away and start living your life.

Take a look at list three and one. Is there anything in list three that translates to list one? It doesn't have to be literal. It just has to grab the essance. An example would be ambitious card. Perhaps you are trying to move up the ladder in your work. The card that keeps rising to the top could be you, the deck could be your work. Build that routine and it becomes your own. Nobody else can tell the story of you better than you.

Once you have some ideas, even whisps of ideas build on those. Every now and again glance at list number two. Is there anything on that list that can tell your story. If so learn that effect, do whatever it takes to learn that effect. Learn the sleight, build or buy the gimmick, just whatever it takes. Once you have it down move it to list three.

Now you have a fourth list. The list that tells your story. Work those effects into a short routine that outlines your story.

Its a start.

Before creating a trick,I think you could watch some good tricks or study other magicians.You can learn a lot form doing this.When you know enough technique,you would have some idea about creating your own trick.Maybe it need a lot of time,if you could insist on it ,you can do it.I am sorry my English is not well and I hope that it would help you .Good luck!