Finding Your Next Great Idea

Feeling stumped? Don't worry—it happens to the best of us. The next time you find yourself struggling to get words on the page, don't rack your brain sore by forcing ideas to come. Instead, try changing your scenery or picking up a novel. Sometimes, it just takes a few small shifts to get the creative juices flowing. Here are five tips to help you find inspiration.

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1. Read, Read, Read

The best way to get inspiration? Read. Read outside your genre, read different styles, and read both fiction and non-fiction. The more text you absorb, the more your ideas will expand and shape themselves clearly in your mind. Don't just stick to what you know—challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone.

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2. Change Your Scenery

Sometimes, all you need is a change of scenery. Instead of cooping yourself in the same place whenever you write, try moving elsewhere, such as to a park or café. When your surroundings change, so does the way you perceive the world and the people around you, so let that be your fuel.

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3. Watch Movies & Shows

Once you've read all you can, watch movies and TV shows next. Take notes: what makes a character interesting? What makes a movie or show worth watching? How would you describe certain emotions or scenes you see on screen, and how would you word the dialogue if it were a novel? As you study these details, you'll be more motivated to write.

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4. Try Writing Prompts

Whether it's writing a letter to yourself or describing how the world looks to a six-year-old versus a sixty-year-old, writing prompts help jog the brain and get it warmed up. Try branching out and challenge yourself to tackle prompts outside of what you usually write.

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5. People-Watch

Humans are interesting, and if you just spend 20 minutes people-watching at a café, we guarantee you'll be inspired by what you see and what you hear. Try imagining the different lives that people live, what they do for work, why they're coming into the café you're at in particular, where they're going next. Let your thoughts roam and channel them into words on a page.

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