How to Get Ideas for Writing

Better late than never, right?

Actually, the reason this is late is kind of funny – I got an idea and ran with it (no, not literally – I actually sat with it and typed for a while). 🙂 So…inspiration struck! That and life has been extraordinarily crazy lately.

But, enough with the excuses.

Here’s a question I receive a lot: “Where do you get your ideas from?”

I get a ton of ideas from other books. The plot from Miss Match is ripped right off the pages of Jane Austen’s classic Emma, except that I changed the ending (um. A lot!).

Movies are another great way to get ideas. I watch a ton of movies! If you want the perfect way to get in the mood to write, watch a movie in whatever genre you’re writing. BUT BUT BUT – do NOT just lounge around watching movies all day!! When you get inspired, write!

I’ve gotten ideas from newspapers, magazines, Starbucks employees and just random people I’ve met. I’ve gone shopping and said, “I wonder what it would be like to work in a second-hand clothing store?” Then I went home and started writing about a girl who worked at a second-hand clothing store. I’ve watched friends’ moms bug them about dating someone and then written a story about a girl who’s mom won’t stop setting her up.

But there is one place where I never fail to come away with unbelievable story ideas, and this will probably shock you but here it is: College Bible Study.

I know, sounds really weird, but every Wednesday night, one more thing happens where I just giggle to myself and then make sure I go write it down. So, aside from everyone thinking I’m some kind of a psychotic stalker (oh wow. I actually got called this one time), I’m never pressed for ideas. Any college/singles/young twenties Bible study probably has a unique makeup of characters, but I’m always amazed at how many just straight funny things happen there!

So, I guess that would be my plug to get more involved with your local church. 🙂

Here’s a recent example of how ideas can come from anywhere: A couple of weeks ago, Jon was tired and not being his usual cheerful self, so I jokingly called him “Mr. Grumpus” (side note: he still denies all grumpiness). Later, we were in bed, the lights were out, Jon was pretty much asleep, but I couldn’t get that name out of my brain and the next thing I know, I have this whole children’s story running through my head about a man who frowns, and frowns, and frowns until he has SO many frown wrinkles, he can’t even see. So, I immediately jumped out of bed and ran for my computer in the living room. Jon came out all groggy a couple of minutes later and was like, “What are you doing?”

Ah, the joys of being married to a writer, right?

Okay, so let’s try this out. One of my all-time favorite newspaper articles was about when a school bus accidentally ran into the school building. It was summer, so no one was hurt, and the only person in the school who heard the crash was some random person who was there practicing his oboe.

You know, something like that could not just be made up.

Now we have our awesome article, but how do you pull the idea from there? Here’s a fun exercise to do until the ideas just come naturally:

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Mystery: School bus “accidentally” crashes, killing 25. No driver is found, no evidence that there even was a driver. The only hope for an answer lies with a blind oboe player, and he’s not so willing to talk. How did this happen? Who is responsible for the deaths?

Chick-Lit: Girl just wanted a few minutes of peace and quiet to practice her oboe for tonight’s concert. Breaking into the school may not have been the smartest idea, but it’s cool and silent. But now her dumb dog has ran off and she can’t find him. Guy driving the bus swerves to avoid hitting dog and rams into the building. Sparks – and engine fluid – fly.

Shakespearean: “Oh why hast thou rammed into mine wall? Am I but a flower? Here for one moment and disappearest the next?” she cried. “I couldn’test avoid it,” he resolutely decreed.

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See? Fun. 🙂 At least for nerds like me. 🙂

Here are the biggest things about getting ideas:

* Don’t be afraid to talk to people. If a job/person/location seems interesting, ask about it!

* Don’t hole up in a little writing cave. Books are meant to mirror life. If you don’t really live life, how do you expect to write about it?

* Keep working at your walk with God. I’ve noticed a big trend in my writer’s block occurring when I haven’t had a devotion in a long time. Don’t forget to be in contact with the One who is the Ultimate Creator.

* Read, read, read, read, read, read, read, read….

* Watch movies, but with your eyes open for things like plot, character development, character quirks, etc.

* Most of all… Just relax. Sit down with a big cup of coffee and your computer and have a good long chat with God while you try to figure out what you’re going to write about. Our main purpose in this life is to glorify Him, so why not consult Him as you’re working out the details?

Coming next week: You’ve got the idea, now how do you sculpt a plot – especially if you’re not an outliner like me?

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Erynn 🙂

P.S. Let’s not make these writing tips a one-sided discussion. I want to hear from you! How do you guys get ideas to write?

Tags: Writing Tips