When I started, something changed in my brain that affected how I interpret things. Everything I see, hear, or experience goes through a filter as soon as it hits my conscious: Can this be turned into a story? If it can’t, I file it away as something important to know for other reasons. But if it can, well then my imagination shudders with excitement and goes to work.
This new development has made me realize that inspiration is all around me, I just need to have open eyes searching for it. Maybe it’s hidden in the shadows of the woods I’m walking through with my dog. Or perhaps it’s folded into the story my friend is telling me about her crazy aunt causing all sorts of problems in the family. The point is, there is a world of possible worlds around you all the time.
But if you’re like me and hate elusive advice like “Just look around for inspiration!” then fear not. On the off chance it might help, below are my most potent sources of inspiration.
Reading: It seems obvious, but it’s true. I get inspired every time I read. Inspired in that I get ideas for my own stories. Now, I’m not saying I copy the plots of other books, but so many stories are similar at their core and seeing how other authors add to that with their own flare gets my creative juices flowing.
Dreams: I have vivid dreams sometimes. Very vivid. And when that happens, I wake up and my first thought of the day is “That would make an awesome story!” If you are a vivid dreamer as well, start writing them down so you remember them. They could serve as great jumping off points for brainstorming a new story. And don’t get into the trap of thinking “that dream is just too crazy to turn into a story,” cause that’s not true. One time I had a dream that I was tasked with flying to a big festival in a floating castle to save Taylor Swift from a vicious three-headed beast. I dare you to tell me you wouldn’t want to read that story. (p.s. I saved her, no worries Swifties)
Music: My second greatest passion in life is music. I’m a singer, I play piano, guitar, and write songs. So it’s no surprise that music serves as a huge inspiration for me. If you’re having trouble coming up with a story, turn on some tunes and see what happens. Music has a way of evoking strong emotions within us and that stimulates our ability to visualize things in our head (at least it does in my experience). Some songs I listen to and can see the scene as if I’m watching it in a movie.
Movies: Speaking of movies…The idea for my first novel, In The Land of Magic, came to me after watching Lord of the Rings. When the movie was over I found myself wondering “What would it be like if I was sucked through a portal into a fantasy world like that. What would happen? What would I do? Who would I meet?” And that’s all it takes. Movies can plant a seed in your mind that makes you wonder about something beyond the movie. That side character over there, that no one really pays attention to, what would a story centered around them look like? What if this movie took place in space, what kind of new challenges would that bring? A simple wondering can blossom into an intricate and beautiful story.
Nature: By far, my favorite thing to do when I need inspiration is go for a walk, preferably in a park surrounded by trees. And if I’m really lucky, it will have a lake or stream babbling through it. I will always give credit for my inspiration to God, the most creative and inspiring being I know. So it makes sense to me to step outside my home into the beautiful world God created to give me hope and inspire me. Put on a good playlist as you wander through the woods and it won’t be hard to see a new character weaving through the trees, trying to escape the threat that is much too close for comfort. A small breeze whispering through the leaves might have the scent of magic that can either destroy or save the imaginary world you’re about to create. Fresh air provides fresh inspiration.
I’m sure that through your own journey of writing you’ll find your own fountains of inspiration, but I hope that mine might give you a starting point. Where you find it doesn’t matter, as long as you find it.
