Fiction books are usually in high demand, because, let’s be honest, they are just easier to read.
And I know some people feel like you’ve not started reading until you read non-fiction. But that is a myopic way to view reading. Yes, you should definitely try to read non-fiction.
However, that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with preferring fiction. In fact, that seems to be the case with many of the readers I’ve interacted with.
The problem that poses for fiction writers is that we have to keep churning out contents. But if you’re a fiction writer, I’m sure you know that’s not always easy. In fact, it’s not unusual for your imagination tank to dry up, leaving you staring at your computer or notepad for hours.
So what do you do when you can’t find inspiration as a fiction writer? This article attempts to answer this question.
10 Tips to Find Inspiration as a Fiction Writer
You can find inspiration in unlikely places, from people and things around you, your experiences, and life events. Let’s see how.
1. Childhood Memories and Personal Conflicts
The first you should look at for inspiration is your personal stories. I will tell you for free that some of my best stories were inspired from something that happened to me as a child or something I witnessed.
I say that to say your childhood can and should inspire your writing. In fact, these memories should serve as prompts for building characters, plots, and twists. They should provide a basis to set the tone and give you a context for dispute resolution, especially if you are struggling.
And the good thing about it is that it’ll make your writing authentic and relatable because it’s based on reality.
Also Read: Effective Ways to Be More Productive as a Full-Time Writer
2. Relationships
Man is a social being, we need interactions with others to survive. But that shouldn’t be the only basis of your relationships as a writer. See them as an avenue to learn.
You can create tension and suspense in romantic stories by using themes like jealousy and desire that happen in our daily relations with others.
You can develop themes from your domestic relations, conflicts, and household dynamics.
3. Love and Heartbreak
Love and heartbreak are universal themes, and many readers resonate and empathise with them. You can create compelling characters and engagements with these powerful storytelling themes.
Try to capture the raw emotions experienced by individuals, exploring emotions that come from heartbreak, like sadness, anger, and despair.
4. Fear and Anxiety
Scenes that show fear and anxiety in your characters can invoke emotional responses from your readers. And the best part is that fear and anxiety can move your characters and plot ahead.
For instance, your characters can make mistakes due to anxiety or encounter serendipitous occurrences due to their fear that would make them grow up. That is a plot mover right there.
5. Joy and Happiness
Everyone likes a happy story. They can uplift your reader’s spirits and offer them a brief escape from reality.
Readers do not only relate to sadness but also to happiness. So, transport them – through your writing – to a time in their life when they were joyful and relaxed.
6. Observing People
Writers are and should be great observers; this is probably why many writers are introverted. You need to be able to see a great story in everything.
It could be anything: the children going to school, your siblings arguing, your gossipy co-worker, your boring lecturer, your talkative Uber driver, the waitress at the cafe, the life of your elderly neighbours.
When you observe people, you will find inspiration by examining their behaviours and mannerisms.
You can develop your characters using the dialogues, conversations, speech patterns, dialects, or accents of the people you encounter.
7. Nature and the Environment
Nature is not just to be enjoyed, we are meant to learn from it as well. There’s inspiration everywhere in the environment, from animals, the sea, the sky, rain and natural landscapes.
You just have to look closely.
8. Society and Culture
You can find themes in social issues plaguing society, like poverty, inequality, racism, discrimination, and gender roles.
Apart from that, historical events such as the world wars and civil rights movements can also inspire your writing.
Also, observe cultural events like folklore and mythologies, festivals and celebrations; you can always find interesting themes in them.
9. Read Extensively in Various Genres
Reading exposes you to a world outside you. That is why great writers know that they also have to be great readers.
A book can give you wonderful ideas that simply need to be expanded. They’ll also help improve your writing style, vocabulary, grammar, and tone.
Extensive reading is also a way of carrying out research. It will expand your knowledge and enable you to write more accurate stories.
Also Read: Must-Have Reading Apps to Download as a Book Lover
10. Arts
Arts is also a powerful tool to find inspiration as a fiction writer. For instance, seeing a painting can strengthen your descriptive prowess or paint the right settings for your characters.
A movie can make you ask what-if questions that will transform your writing. And music can inspire you to get into the mind of the artist.
Paying attention to art will not only inspire you, but it will teach you to look beyond the surface when interpreting art.
Stay Inspired
Struggling to find inspiration is normal as a fiction writer. But you don’t have to stay there; you can overcome writer’s block.
Take a break if you need to, and then take advantage of all the above to find inspiration to move your story along.
William Faulkner told us that, “The writer has three sources: imagination, observation, and experience.”
And as you can see, all three are captured here. So use them and you will be on your way to writing some of the best stories of your career.
What other ways do you find inspiration as a fiction writer? Let me know in the comments section below.
