by Trent Sketch

Created on: December 20, 2007

Finding inspiration is a stumbling block every writer has to overcome time and time again. How do you come up with an original idea that people want to read? The answer isn't always simple. Here are a few suggestions of where inspiration can come from.

1. Every day life
It seems obvious, right? Inspiration can come from every day life. It just might not be very clear at first. One way to use every day life is to write anything about your day. Make note of any interesting details you see: a unique sign, unusual placement of an everyday object, a color that really stands out. Then, try to think of how that detail came to be. What kind of person made that sign? How did the object wind up in that spot? What was the motivation for using that particular color? If that doesn't work, try expanding on the reaction to the object. Why was it unique? What was particularly interesting about it? Chances are there is something interesting that can be written to get the mind going. The noted details of every day life may not wind up being the subject of a piece of writing, but they can certainly help get there.

2. People watching
Sometimes, it helps to just pay attention to the people around you. Try to come up with interesting descriptions in your mind for how people are behaving. Boil it down to a few key details. Then, explore how that person came to be that way. Where are they going? Where did they come from? How do they carry themselves? What's their favorite song? Inspiration for a piece of writing can come from developing a character based off an initial impression of a stranger.

3. Personal history
If looking outward isn't working, try examining your personal history. Think back to early childhood memories. What makes them stand out in your mind? Try to remember instances of extreme emotion - joy, sorrow, anger. How did you wind up there? What did it feel like? You can even try just describe the locations of your memories. What was your grandparents house like? Or the location of your first job? Your high school? Your first concert? Whatever you choose to focus on, try writing down as much detail as you can about the memory. Chances are, there is something you can take from the exercise and use to develop a larger piece of writing.

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