Finding Your Writing Spark

Every writer knows that finding inspiration can be a fearsome hurdle to overcome. But thankfully, there is inspiration all around you, even when you don’t realize it. Listen to what NaNoWriMo Participant Winona Sharpe has to say on finding the spark to keep those flames burning!

Finding inspiration is one of the most difficult things about starting a project, but it can also be genuinely exciting. Feeling motivated to take on challenges big and small is easier when the spark of creativity is lit. We each have our own stories to tell—no two people will find the same things shouting out to them, “Write about me!” No matter the genre, the length of the project, whether you plan everything out or write by the seat of your pants, the following suggestions might be just what you need to feel inspired to write every day, every week, or every November.

Setting:

Consider where your story takes place. Often, I think less about setting than the other aspects of my writing, so I wanted to start here. Building your world can be as basic as you like, but a solid foundation is key. Here are some tips that you can try:

Watch a travel documentary and pick some features to use in your story. Local cuisine tells a lot about a place, but it can also make you really hungry, so use with caution.Find a photo of a location that intrigues you, or study a map for reference—it could be historical, modern, fictional, or a map of an entire solar system. Who doesn’t love a good map at the beginning of a fantasy novel?Start small. Choose a street name. In your world, what buildings might be found on that street? Keep zooming out until you have explored enough to get writing.Characters:

Your characters may have quite detailed backstories, or you might not even know their names at this point. Learning who your characters are is one of the most magical parts of writing.

If you listen to music while you write, create a playlist for individual characters using songs that say something about them. When you want to get into character, so to speak, listen to those playlists and find that the words come easier.Start a collection of images that illustrate your characters. Keep them in a notes folder, or save to an Instagram Collection. It’s not procrastinating if you’re looking for inspiration!Museums and art gallery collections from around the world can be an excellent source of character ideas. What artifacts would your character study, or what might their contributions look like? The possibilities are endless.Plot:

Whether you need inspiration for a story outline or a single scene, coming up with interesting scenarios can be intimidating. We have access to so much media online that it can feel like your story has already been told, when that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Draw on myths and legends for high-level structure. Go with a tale you know well, or research stories from other parts of the world. Retell those heroic legends in your own voice.Games are full of interesting encounters. Whether you’re into role playing games, board games, video games, or are more of a bystander, games are ample sources of inspiration.Create a virtual mood board for your story. Simply browsing photos on a mood board can inspire you. Your mood board can help set the tone, theme, and even hooks for your story. Use it to its full potential.

Find the things that speak to you and use them in your writing. A single word, image or song can sometimes be all the inspiration needed to kick off a productive writing session, or better yet, a whole novel. Whatever form your muse takes, use it to propel your story to new heights.

Winona Sharpe is a new career games developer in England with a MA in Medieval History and BA in English Literature. A fan of sci-fi, horror, and fantasy, she has been participating in NaNoWriMo since 2010. She lives with her husband and their two cats Havarti and Halloumi. You can find her on Twitter @WinnySharpe and Instagram @hallowinny.hr

“Scattered Light at Northern Spark” by Tony Webster is licensed under CC BY 2.0