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Inspiration can strike at the strangest times, just as it can dry up when we least expect it to. Here are some of the things that I’ve found over the years to fire up my ideas:
- Read a variety of books
Within the pages of books other than your own, you will find ideas, learn about different writing styles, structure, and formatting.
Research also helps you to relax and broadens your imagination, making it a great source for writing inspiration.
- 2. Listen to Music
Music can help you unwind while at the same time fuel your imagination, helping you write a piece conveying the same emotions as the songs you’re listening to.
The lyrics of a song itself can also tell a story. It can be the inspiration for a setting, dialogue or scene. I use playlists to set a mood according to the scene I’m writing. Action. Romance. Sexy. Sad.
- Watch Television
Television programs display different cultures, places and time periods.
You can observe characters in situations that you wouldn’t see in real life. Take notes of memorable quotes from dialogues, turning them to inspiration for prompts or new topics.
- Engage with readers
Ask your readers for opinions about what they’ve read and what they want to read next. This can present you with a different point of view and new ideas.
By communicating with them, you’ll be able to know which areas you’re lacking. Take criticism as a way to improve and as inspiration for your next content.
- Always carry a notebook and a camera
Writing inspiration everywhere. It can be an old building, a painting, a newspaper article, even a person you pass in the street.
Ideas don’t arrive when you want them to. They will often turn up when you least expect them.
Keep a notebook and an album of photographs (or a Pinterest board). You can keep adding to it as you go along.
These are a few ways I use to ignite a spark but there are so many others. I hope you’ll share yours!
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JANE GODMAN is a 2019 Romantic Novelists’ Award winner and 2018 Daphne du Maurier Award finalist. She writes thrillers for Harlequin Romantic Suspense/Mills and Boon Heroes and paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne/Mills and Boon Supernatural and St. Martin’s Press Romance. She also self publishes her historical and gothic stories.
Jane was born in Scotland and has lived in Germany, Wales, Malta, South Africa, and England. She still gets the urge to travel, although these days she tends to head for a Spanish beach, or a European city that is steeped in history.
When she isn’t reading or writing romance, Jane enjoys cooking, spending time with her family, and enjoying the antics of her dogs, Gravy and Vera.
Connect with Jane Godman on the web:
An unexpected family
A once-in-a-lifetime reunion in danger…
After a bitter breakup, FBI agent Everett Colton never expected to see his ex-girlfriend, Alyssa Bartholomew, again. Suddenly, tragedy reunites them—and makes them guardians of an orphaned baby girl. Everett suspects that her parents’ deaths were anything but innocent. When his instinct for danger proves correct, it’s his job to protect the child he’s grown to love…and the woman he never forgot.
Buy on:
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Thanks Jane! Those tips are excellent! For me, music is always a source of inspiration and a way to find my way out of a dilemma. Reading too - although that may be just another excuse to read more!!
How about you? What are your favourite ways to find inspiration?
13 comments:
Music is my biggest inspiration. Television and movies are a close second.
I've always carried a camera, but that's also the pro photographer in me.
Great ideas for staying inspired! Engaging with readers is a good tip...one that I need to follow through on.
A friend of ours considers himself a writer. He doesn't read (other than form guides) because he thinks that would make his writing derivative. I think he is emphatically wrong.
Music is not for me. Reading yes, and listening. Natures wonderful galleries also help.
Music is #1 for me as well :)
I've been doing photography for the past year or so, and it is incredibly soothing and inspiring!
That's always a tough one!
Each to their own, but I couldn't write without voraciously reading!
Nature is always an inspiration for me as well!
I agree that things like reading and photography can help our creativity.
I agree as well. When I'm out with my camera, the story ideas tend to swirl around me!
I couldn't agree more with what Jane says. I read far too much, if that's possible. I take notes when something inspires me when I'm out. And watching TV is good for story structure. And I found my pen name in the credits of House of Cards, LOL.
I read a LOT as well - but it gives me a lot and I have no plans to change :)
I love that you found your pen name in the credits! So fun :)
Thanks for your comments everyone. It's so interesting to hear the ways we share (and don't share) sources of inspiration. I hadn't thought about is until now, but yes, the natural world is a great way of finding new ideas. And it's always there, always changing!
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