Hey-o, Word-wielders,
Today is part one of my blog posts on brainstorming ideas for your writing. From short stories to novellas to multi-book projects, here are some tips on how to get your creative juices flowing for fiction.
1. Write a list of all the things you love in books.
What makes a book appealing to you? A specific time period? Characters you fall in love with? Plot twists to blow your brain straight out of your cranium? You may not like to write the same genre that you like to read, but some elements can easily transfer to your own personal writing style.
Here’s some of the things I wrote on my list in 2023:
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Hidden identities.
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Cozy, sunny feeling books.
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Elegant arguments.
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Actual Christianity well-infused.
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Great characters. I like some quirk.
2. Create a mood board
Especially if you’re a visual thinker, this could be a gold mine for you. Whether you have a Pinterest board with images that correlate to your latest project or a physical bulletin board with pictures tacked on, a mood board could be a great help to your inspiration.
3. Write all the ideas you’ve got so far . . . and see where it goes
It may help you to just let your mind run with your pencil. Try writing all the ideas you currently have. Who knows, your brain might be like, “Hey-o, what if the MC is actually trying to get herself captured?”
4. Read similar books
If you’re not sure what kind of book you want to write, just reading may help spark creativity. However, if you do know what kind of story you’re writing, reading books in that same line can be useful. Don’t plagiarize, but see what other authors have done in this or that area. You might get a lightbulb moment.
5. Find a friend
You don’t have to do this alone. Talking over your ideas or asking for advice can be an awesome way to flesh out your story. Recently, my dad helped me with a world-building question I had, and it allowed my brain to stretch further than it had before. Find a writing buddy, ask questions in the comments of your favourite writing blog, or just talk it over with your family.
6. Look over your old writing
Are you one of those writers who has kept everything they’ve written since they were 5? Look through it. Sure, it might make you cringe, but what kind of things do your old writings have? Maybe there’s a diamond in the rough just sitting there. Grab your pickax and mine your notebooks.
So, there’s 6 brainstorming ideas. What’s your brainstorming process? Did you try any of today’s tips? Let me know down in the comments.
May you live for Christ and give Him praise
~Claira
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