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Ive found Im at that stage, were Ive got the block!!!!!!!

I cant think of any fresh ideas for tricks, and everthing im seeing online etc, seems like old hat...........

How many "something" in a bottle tricks are out there grrrrrrrrrrrrr

-Im very frustrated does anyone else have this problem and if so how do u deal with it ?

I'm the least creative person I know when it comes to effects. I've thought up maybe three, and they all turned out to be nearly identical to others' effects.

Consider yourself lucky that you've got something to block!

Just take your mind off it. If you've focussed on the idea of trying to come up with some new ideas for effects then you'll likely find ideas coming to you when you least expect it. Perhaps just as you are about to drift off to sleep.

It's a whole preparation, incubation, illumination and verification thing (look into the work of Graham Wallas for more information). Your subconscious mind will work on the problem whilst you're focussed on something else.

So... go hang out with your friends, watch some TV or cook a meal!

If you want ideas then why not go back to basics. Think of all those principles you first learnt and how you may apply them to your magic. The Victorians did not have all these flashy gimmicks and they produced the most wonderful magic that many people seem to have forgot about. Try reading an old magic book i am sure you will get inspiration from that. If you are a member of learned pig then you will find many great old books that will not only inspire you but help on on your way to creating magic again. Eveybody gets stuck, i have been working on a show idea for 6 - 7 months and only just finished planning it and putting it together. The best of luck and remember magic takes time!

Is it that you're just getting a bit bored or disillusioned with your tricks?

It's easy to forget the effect of a trick and just see the working. This happens to me and it's not long before I start seeing some tricks as a series of moves rather than magic.
This is the kiss of death for a trick, and I'm sure spectators can pick up this robotic 'going through the motions'.
Remember, it's magic that is happening there, right in your hands.

This happened with one of my favourite tricks "The Changing Cards" by Vernon. My boredom came across to spectators and it ended up being a vicious circle. I stopped using it.
So I changed the whole presentation. I even invented a story to go with it. Hey Presto, a new trick. But this helped me rediscover the 'effect' and see things from a spectators point of view again.

as the Professor said...
"If you can't give a trick a new twist, at least try to give it a different patter presentation. Everyone doing magic should endeavour to add some original idea, some thought of your very own to every effect you do"


*EDIT: Tenuous "disillusioned" pun not intended at first, but then noticed after previewing and left in.

Forget what you're seeing online and the latest gimmick. Forget paying £20 for one trick.
I say get yourself some decent books which will give you new methods and ideas for creating your own effects. I recommend the 8 volume Tarbell Course In Magic as it's a storehouse of magic effects and teachings. Youll never have to buy another overpriced effect again, just cards and items like rope, sponge balls and some stationary products.

It's expensive, I know, but the first volume alone has enough material to give you something to practice and get your imagination going.

Failing that, Mark Wilson's book has countless effects which will keep you going for a while. Magic is a big subject and if you're feeling tired of say, cards, learn coin sleights, sponge balls, rope tricks or something you have never thought about before.

AMEN to that my Lord

Why thank you!

After reading some Tarbell before I rest my weary head, my mind is spinning with new ideas as I sleep. Really, these books are an invaluable resource and inspiration.

It's far too easy for people to rely on gimmicks these days as most youngsters have never so much as glanced at a book, unless it comes with props and a dvd explaining it they're not interested. When you are required to do something impromptu and you don't have you expensive gimmicks with you, where does that leave you?

With a grounding in magic, YOU are the magic as you can create something with the most simplest of objects. No doubt in the room you are sitting now there are things which you could produce a miracle with if you think hard enough.

Studying books such as these means that the principles become ingrained into your subconcious and you can improvise wherever you are.

It's a bit like being a musician. Do you want to be a robot who plays cover versions from sheet music or do you want to learn the structure and theory of it so that you can jam and improvise?

It's all down to what you want, a few fancy 'street magic' tricks (where do you see street magic other than on the telly?) or do you want to be a magician?