FAQ: Where do writers get inspiration?

Readers often ask me where writers find inspiration for their stories. Or, how do writers get inspiration? In this Frequently Asked Questions post, I want to answer this question as simply as possible.

Writers find inspiration everywhere, anywhere, and seemingly from nowhere. 

As I explained in my “How did you become a writer?” post, Hagrid didn’t show up and tell me to write. Similarly, there’s no “idea store” where writers go to discover story concepts. Though, if you ever invent such a place, please send me an invitation!

Anything can excite a writer’s muse, and there are as many sources of inspiration as there are writers. Each writer has different idea triggers, based on their interests, personalities, and experiences. Personally, my best story ideas seem to come from five main places:

Travel

Traveling is my #1 source of inspiration. When interacting with new places, people, and cultures, my mind becomes super alert. I want to soak in everything and compare it to my own world. Needless to say, this complete immersion sparks a lot of ideas.

For example, an anniversary trip to Salem, Massachusetts, inspired my upcoming paranormal fantasy novel. After learning about the 1692 witch trials and seeing Salem’s tourist culture, I wanted to explore the connection between these two opposing forces. I couldn’t help but think … what would a Puritan (or a real witch) think of modern Salem? And thus, the concept for my next book was born.

Mythology

Confession time: I love Lucifer. The fallen angel, the Neil Gaiman character, the snake of Eden, all forms. Maybe it’s my wannabe bad girl side, but something about this Christian figure fascinates me. I devour any pop culture featuring Satan, and thanks to my religious scholar husband, I know a decent amount about his Biblical origins too.

Lucifer is a big inspiration behind a demon trilogy I’ve been wanting to write since I was sixteen. However, he’s not the only mythological figure that inspires me. I love learning about different monsters (from wendigos to chupacabras), local legends (like the gateway to hell in Kansas’s Stull Cemetery), and more. All of these things will probably end up in my books.

Books & Movies

Once upon a time, I worked as a student assistant for Baker University’s English department (#BTID). One day, a professor asked me to proofread student projects about 1,001 Nights (aka The Arabian Nights). While reading these projects, I became fascinated by the evil king who married virgins and executed them before they could betray him. I wondered, “What if the king framed the wives in adultery to justify executing them?”

From there, the questions kept pouring. How would the king’s cruelty affect the kingdom? How long could he get away with this scheme? What if one woman were brave enough to beat him at his own game? Longtime readers know what I’m going to say: thus, The Cogsmith’s Daughter (Desertera #1) was born.

Nature

Some people get great ideas in the shower. Me? I do my best thinking while out for a walk. Admiring plants and animals, not to mention feeling the sun or wind on my skin, connects me to a whole different part of myself. When I commune with the natural world, I can almost feel inspirational energy coursing from the earth into me. It sounds a bit silly-witchy, but it’s true.

Another big bonus of nature walks? My husband doesn’t have the internet, so he has to listen to me talk through my ideas. Sometimes, he even offers really great suggestions. (Thanks, honey!)

Emotional Experiences

It’s a writer cliché, but it’s totally true. For my stories and characters, I draw on my personal experiences and the people with whom I’ve shared them. All of my books contain themes that I care about: self-acceptance, justice, even climate change. And all of my characters have pieces of myself and others in them. (But no, none of my characters are exact copies of any one individual!).

Likewise, there are some experiences I want to write about but can’t yet. For example, my pets (aka furry siblings and children) are one of the most important parts of my life. Selfishly, I’d like to write a memoir about the pets I’ve lost and what they taught me. At the very least, I’d like to immortalize them in my fiction. So far, I haven’t had the opportunity (or emotional strength) to do that yet, but it will happen at some point.

These are only five of the places where I find inspiration for my writing. I’ve stumbled upon exciting story ideas in many other ways, and other writers surely get ideas from things that have never inspired me. Even if you’re not a writer, paying attention to what interests you and exposing yourself to new experiences can spark inspiration. My mom gets painting ideas from Pinterest. My husband gets research ideas from historical figures and events. My best friend from college gets recipe ideas from Game of Thrones. Get out in the world and find what inspires you!

What inspires you to write, travel, or pursue your passions? Share in the comments!

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