by Ruth Belena

Created on: August 04, 2009

Writers are always having to find new ideas, whether they need sources of inspiration for writing fiction or for factual articles. Inspiration can come from everyday life, from past events or from what people are concerned with right now. With a little imagination it is possible to be creative and write about how life might be in the future. Sources of inspiration for writing can also come from introspection, thinking about personal thoughts, dreams and memories.

- Thoughts and memories as sources of inspiration -

Thinking about the past, a writer can consider what would have happened if things had been different. That can be the starting point of a story or a journey of discovery.

Most people have significant events in their own past, and can remember some unfortunate experiences that have happened to someone they knew. For writers these can be sources of inspiration, to be explored in fiction, autobiographical accounts or as the basis for further research.

- Dreams as sources of inspiration for fiction -

It can be annoying when people insist on talking about a strange dream they had last night, but few people actually remember much of what they dream about. Some writers keep dream diaries, and make a habit of trying to remember when they wake up from a dream.

Dreams can inspire imaginative writing about magical events, mystery or horror stories. Writers can describe how it feels to fly or to fall through space, because they have done those things in their dreams.

- Conversation and discussions as sources of inspiration -

Questions that arise in conversation and discussions can provide inspiration for writing. For example, people ask each other what they will do if someone in their family catches the latest virus that is threatening to spread throughout a community. This could inspire a writer to research and produce a practical guide to dealing with the illness, something many would want to read whether or not the virus strikes. People want to be prepared by knowing what action to take.

Conversations about recent events can be great sources of inspiration. Listening to people talking about Michael Jackson's children could inspire the idea for a novel about growing up as the child of a famous parent, or about the effects on a child when a parent suddenly dies. It could inspire writing on any number of articles concerning fame, death and extended family issues.

Writers can be inspired when socializing and chatting with friends. They can listen to phone-in shows on the radio, or see what is being discussed in online forums and on message boards. Social networking sites should provide plenty of writing ideas.

- News reports as sources of inspiration -

Daily news reports can be sources of inspiration to a writer. When journalists present items on nuclear weapons or on developments in scientific research, writers who use their imagination can create futuristic stories about how things might eventually turn out.

News items on the consequences of economic recession could inspire articles on money saving and frugal living, or writing on topics related to job search and employment issues.

There is little that cannot be used by a writer as inspiration. Ideas come from personal observation, interior thoughts, and from what is happening in the world. Life itself should provide enough sources of inspiration for writing to keep any writer busy.

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