Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life: My 3 tips for New Writers
You can find inspiration and ideas anywhere! You just have to be open to what’s around you!
Sometimes finding concepts for your current story or brainstorming a vision for your next big novel, is like trying to find gold in your couch. There’s none!
Yet, discovering new ideas isn’t a hopeless task. Ideas are everywhere—hidden in plain sight! With a little imagination, a keen eye (and a great ear) and an open-mindset, you can draw inspiration from anywhere! Here are my three (3) tips to finding your next great idea:
Observe and capture real-life conversations.
Turn daily routines into extraordinary moments.
Draw from your (emotional) experiences.
1. Listen to conversations (but be subtle).
You maybe thinking—but I don’t wanna eavesdrop on someone’s conversation! That’s rude! Disrespectful! Immoral!
I get it. But let’s be honest here, we all do it. Unless you got earbuds on, our brains and ears love to hone in one someone talking. The gossip or the tea as the young ones say, is too good to pass up. As a new writer, especially if you’re young and just starting on your writing journey, listening to conversations can help you get insights into people’s reactions, help you write realistic dialogue, and potentially uncover ideas for story!
Take note of the quirky/interesting chats you hear in cafés, on public transit or at school. How do people chat? What do they say? How do they respond to each other? These snippets can inspire dialogue between your characters or even, and this is the best outcome, spark an entire storyline!
Check out this Infographic!
Challenge yourself with this prompt:
Write a scene where two strangers meet and one of them reveals a surprise secret!
Click the image to grab the PDF! (Courtesy Fazzi Studios on Canva)
2. Turn daily routines into epic adventures!
The mundane, repetitive and boring tasks you do everyday, can be turned into extraordinary moments with a little imagination! For example, do the laundry, waiting for the bus, walking the dog or scrolling on TikTok—ask yourself, What If?
What if a lint gremlin pops out of your laundry and decides to run amok?
What if you notice the same person waiting at the bus stop and one day, they disappear? What do you think happened to them?
What if your dog breaks free from their leash and chases a squirrel into the woods. What do you do?
What if a famous influencer on TikTok moved next door to you and you find out they’re nothing like their on-screen persona? How would you react?
That’s right, Albert!
With just little imagination, you can create a whole new “life” out of ordinary things and moments.
Try it!
Allow yourself to let your imagination run wild and discover opportunities for creative and unique stories. Just keeping asking yourself, What if?
3. Use your Emotions!
Novels in general, thrive on authentic emotions. Young-adult stories especially, have a greater impact since most of their readers are always discovering new ways to express themselves. Emotions are an important, key element in any story, fiction or non-fiction.
To really drive the emotion home, use your own emotional experiences. What made you cry? What made you happy? How did you react to a specific moment? Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day—frustration, joy, disappointment, excited, anxiety—and let those emotions fuel your writing!
Try this writing prompt!
Don’t forget the emotions! Make the reader FEEL something!
And that’s it! I hope enjoyed this blog post and got valuable info from it. Remember, inspiration is all around you—you just gotta open those eyes, and let the imagination run free! Good luck!
Watch this vid from author Abbie Emmons. She offers practical tips for finding your next big idea!
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For a little more help, join me LIVE on Twitch from Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM EST! 📚✍️ I’ll be working on my second book, and together we’ll tackle tasks using the Pomodoro Method for focused work sessions. Bring your to-do list, and let’s boost our productivity side-by-side! 🚀
