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Different ways to get inspiration?

I’ve written a list for this in the past! You can check it out here:

8 Tips for Writers Seeking Inspiration

If you have any more questions regarding inspiration, feel free to ask!

Happy writing!

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And philosophical quotes pop into my mind.

Action sequences come to life behind my eyes.

Characters form.

Worlds are created.

And I pray the ideas are still there when I reach something to write on.

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Inspiration is a tricky thing, simply because we all experience it differently. Some of us might even ignore that itch to create. But we’ve all experienced it at one point, or another.

You know the feeling: the intense need to get words down; to extract that description or dialogue from your mind. 

I’ve experienced it more than I can count and though I would love to say it has always been a fruitful adventure, it hasn’t always worked out.

But hey, that’s normal.

Not finishing a novel or two is normal, because in the end, you’re just building up to that first completed manuscript. 

Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. 

Let me backtrack. 

Inspiration. One word with a million possibilities. 

The following list may or may not apply to you, but these are just instances I’ve encountered (with other authors and not just myself) regarding inspiration. Hopefully this will help you, or it could at least be a fun read.

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1. Go with it.

Before I even start pointing out inspirational sources, I want you to know that it is okay to whip out that notebook/laptop/cellphone/whatever you have in public/home/wherever once your hand starts craving the written word. 

What’s the downfall of not following the route inspiration carves out for you once it hits?

You might lose the idea, which really, really sucks. Some of you may be gifted with perfect memory, but if you’re one of those forgetful types, then I suggest writing your ideas down. 

Before you start writing paragraph after paragraph, keep this in mind: inspiration and ideas are flitting for some. Opt out of long sentences and choose point form for your planning.

For example: character/setting/plot details, dialogues (describe what the characters are going to say, or simply do quotes then mood—“I hate you.” Angry.)

2. What You Know.

You know how people are always saying, “Write what you know”? 

Maybe they’re onto something.

From the jobs you’ve worked, to the drama you might have experienced growing up, life is unknowingly throwing you ideas from left and right.

Author Sarah Dessen often features restaurant settings or similar situations that have to do with food in her novels. Did you know, however, that she worked as a waitress for a good portion of her time after College before hitting it big with her debut novel?

So, take a look around. Your sports team, your school, your job, your small town or big city—find anything cool to write about? 

3. Wait for it… books!

This record is so broken it has burnt right through the vinyl, but really, reading is one of the great inspirations.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you plagiarize because that is never okay.

What I am saying is that a favourite author may inspire you to be a writer, or a storyline may remind you of something similar you went through. Reading makes you more susceptible to inspiration because you’re neck deep in stories created by pure inspiration.  

4. Media.

Movies, music, current events—they all have that funny way of inspiring authors.

From your favourite song making it into your book, to your novel being a loose adaptation of a movie you love, media has a lot of influence over us now—whether we like it, or not. 

Current events make us want to sympathize and understand what others are going through, so we try to connect through our writing. We try to convey our emotions through writing about a hurricane, earthquake, or tsunami that is currently in the news. You most likely will feel the urge to write as one of the victims, or survivors. 

Look at dystopian fiction. Sure, those are novels about corrupted governments and displaced societies, but to the author this may be a way to sympathize with what is currently happening in the world. 

Post-apocalyptic novels follow protagonists striving to survive in a destroyed world. The protagonists are survivors and victims that authors use to voice their concerns and will to survive in the harshest of situations. 

Basically, the media isn’t the most resourceful form of information, but it is very useful with inspiration!

5. Personal Struggles.

This should be pretty self-explanatory. If you’ve had a death in the family, if you’ve learned from past mistakes, if you’ve had difficult relationships with friends/family/romantic interests, if you have a disorder (physical, mental, health-related)—these are all subjects you can explore in your novels. 

The story you create may be fiction, or not—but it is YOURS. Say what you have to say, you never know who you might be affecting, or saving.

6. People.

Do you have that kooky friend who people watches? Heck, are YOU that kooky friend? What’s so cool about people watching is that you can imagine what that person’s life is like. You can imagine his/her thoughts and/or experiences. 

Trust me, that makes for some pretty awesome inspiration.

7. The Old Stuff.

Mythology, history—many authors have been inspired in the past by mythical creatures, historical events, or by the influences of decades past (fashion and political views, mostly). 

If you’re interested in anything to do with classical stories or history, then why not write about it? Sure, it’ll take research… but you can always alter legends and myths, or write Steampunk novels!

8. What’s Something You Want to Say?

Sometimes there’s just something we need to tell the world, but don’t know how to. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try something (like base jumping, or living on the road, for example), but have always backed down from it. 

I believe this is one of the beautiful things about writing. 

Use your dreams to propel your story ideas. Ever wanted to join the circus? Ever wanted to travel to an obscure, but dangerous part of the world? Ever wanted to do something dangerous, or fall in love without any fear? 

You can live all of your dreams, just fictionally. 

If you’ve always wanted to tell the world something, like what you really think about everything going on around you, why not write a story about a character that questions everything? Why not have your character be the fictionalized version of you exploring this confusing thing we call life?

The possibilities are endless. 

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Inspiration is one of those things that will strike when you least expect it, and leave when you least want it to. That’s why you have to catch it and/or put yourself in its path. Sometimes it is worth going after inspiration, rather than waiting around for it. 

I hope this post has helped! Just remember that everyone is inspired by something, or someone different. 

Happy writing!

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