The Art of Ideas

Since this is the first proper post, I thought I'd start at the beginning of a writer's process - with the ideas.

Sometimes, your mind feels like fireworks, with ideas sparking off each other in a rainbow of colours. Others, it feels like soggy cardboard. So, on those soggy cardboard days, when you're desperate to writer but you don't know what, here are some ways to be inspired:

1) Don't just wait for it to happen.
Yes, I know you occasionally will get struck by inspiration lightening. But it's extremely rare, and sitting at the computer staring at a blank screen tends to only achieve eye strain. Remember, you're only a writer if you write!

2) Look at the news.
There's always something going on. There are inspiring rescue stories, terrible wars, a missing person. There are many things on there that could give you an idea. When you read a story, think about the what ifs, the whys, and the whos. Say there was a gas explosion. What if it wasn't really a gas explosion? What if it was a cover up? Why was it a cover up? Who did it? Who was affected?
If you have a favourite genre to write, add in something of your own. For example, like fantasy? Maybe it was actually a magic explosion - a wizard spell gone wrong?

3) Go out for a walk.
Walks are best for this. Look out for people on the way. Without staring (because that would be creepy) see their facial expressions, body language. Are there two people chatting together? Is there another girl trying to join it? Maybe someone's walking ahead and ignoring those behind? How about in a cafe? Is someone eating alone? Why? Make up a scenario.

4) Look at the history.
I must confess, history is my favourite inspiration. After all, history is one big story - the clue's in the name.
I've never written a historical novel, but the situation has been taken from a snippet, then twisted round. For example, my current work in progress is based loosely on the Russian Revolution in the 1900s. Of course, it's in an entirely different world, but that's the best part. You can completely change an event into something of your own by changing the characters, setting, or details of the event.

5) Read your favourite books.
Obviously, you can't just copy them. But you can think about why they're your favourite. If you can writer something you enjoy, then you're more likely to be inspired by your own story.

6) Question everything.

 

How about you? Do you have any tried and tested ways to be inspired?