But rather than wait for that moment, why not make it
happen? There are many different places
to look for inspiration to get that story idea or to fill out that plot. Here are five steps to get you started.
1. Read the Headlines – Truth is stranger than
fiction. That’s the truth. People are so unpredictable, I often find
myself wondering – what were they thinking?
Capitalize on these stories. Here
are just a few headlines from today’s news: “Unidentified Man Found Dead Under
Des Plaines Underpass” “One Man’s Life With 5 Identities” “Teen With Heart
Transplant Dies After Broken Promise To Change”
Without even reading these stories, just imagine what you could create
around one of these headlines.
2. Study Your Family – Whether you write historical
or contemporary, your family is full of inspiration. When did your family emigrate to
America? Where did they settle? What were their occupations? How about today? Who has an interesting profession? An unusual one? A dangerous one? Is your family dysfunctional? Of course, if you use a family member as a
central character, make sure to change enough that the person won’t be easily
identified, especially if the description isn’t flattering.
3. Read History Books – History is full of colorful
figures. Some changed the world, whether
it was through ill deeds, or charitable acts.
There are criminals and heroes.
There are those who broke barriers, and those who dared to think outside
the box. You can use their life story as
your core plot, or build your characters around that event in history.
4. Read Biographies – While these are similar to
history books, biographies give a more in-depth look at what life was like
during the time period. They usually
offer insights into the emotions of the day, as well as the current events
shaping their lives. What can you glean
from their lives that would be appropriate for your characters?
5. Meditate – While this won’t actually fill your
head with ideas (you’re supposed to rid your mind of thought during
meditation), studies have shown that daily meditation (as little as ten minutes
a day) will help you concentrate and focus.
Also, the more you meditate, the less anxiety you will have. And when your mind is clear of stress, it can
fill up with inspiration.
These are just a few ways to find inspiration for your writing. What’s your favorite method of finding ideas?
