diff --git a/my-funcs.el b/my-funcs.el
index 6f4a2c18b..53fcb9283 100644
--- a/my-funcs.el
+++ b/my-funcs.el
@@ -1,3 +1,19 @@
+;; insert one or several line below without changing current evil state
+(defun evil-insert-line-below (count)
+  "Insert one of several lines below the current point's line without changing
+the current state and point position."
+  (interactive "p")
+  (save-excursion
+    (evil-save-state (evil-open-below count))))
+
+;; insert one or several line above without changing current evil state
+(defun evil-insert-line-above (count)
+  "Insert one of several lines above the current point's line without changing
+the current state and point position."
+  (interactive "p")
+  (save-excursion
+    (evil-save-state (evil-open-above count))))
+
 ;; from magnars
 (defun eval-and-replace ()
   "Replace the preceding sexp with its value."
diff --git a/my-keybindings.el b/my-keybindings.el
index 36ed0cf7d..c584e07ae 100644
--- a/my-keybindings.el
+++ b/my-keybindings.el
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
 (define-key evil-normal-state-map (kbd "j") 'evil-next-visual-line)
 (define-key evil-normal-state-map (kbd "k") 'evil-previous-visual-line)
 (define-key evil-insert-state-map (kbd "ESC") 'evil-normal-state)
+;; insert blank lines ---------------------------------------------------------
+(define-key evil-normal-state-map (kbd "M-j") 'evil-insert-line-below)
+(define-key evil-normal-state-map (kbd "M-k") 'evil-insert-line-above)
 ;; close parens ---------------------------------------------------------------
 (global-set-key (kbd ")") 'close-open-paren)
 ;; auto-complete --------------------------------------------------------------