Inspiration is an elusive thing. It doesn’t often arrive with a fanfare, demanding your attention; more often than not, it sneaks in quietly, sometimes barely noticed until it takes root and starts to grow. Over the years, I’ve found that the trick isn’t so much about waiting for inspiration to strike—it’s about creating the conditions where it can thrive.
For many writers, the spark for a new book begins with a simple question. What if? These two words have fueled countless stories, unlocking doors to worlds both familiar and strange. For me, this often means taking an idea or a piece of history that feels unresolved or misunderstood and asking: What if the story were told differently? What if we looked at it through another lens? What if we explored the gaps rather than the certainties?
This process of discovery isn’t about sitting down and conjuring something out of thin air. Instead, it’s about staying open to the world around us. Inspiration can emerge from a conversation overheard in a café, a curious phrase in a history book, or even a long walk where your thoughts are free to wander. In fact, walking might be one of the most underrated tools for a writer. When the body moves, the mind loosens its grip on fixed ideas, and it’s often in those moments of openness that inspiration sneaks in.
The Layered Approach to Inspiration
I’ve found that inspiration often works in layers. The first layer is usually the seed—a single idea or observation that catches my attention. It might be something as simple as a historical anomaly: why, for instance, certain myths are tied to specific geographies. This seed rarely feels like enough to sustain a whole story, but that’s where the second layer comes in: connections.
To find these connections, I draw from everything around me—books, conversations, memories, and even dreams. For example, a scrap of dialogue overheard in a market might pair unexpectedly well with a historical event I’d been mulling over. Inspiration is less about a single eureka moment and more about weaving these disparate threads into something coherent and meaningful.
Another layer is emotion. What feeling do I want to evoke in the reader? Whether it’s the thrill of discovery, the ache of nostalgia, or the spark of curiosity, grounding an idea in emotion ensures it resonates. After all, readers connect to stories through how they make them feel.
Breaking Through the Noise
In a world saturated with ideas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of potential stories. How do you choose one? My approach is simple: follow what won’t let go of you. The ideas that linger, that come back to you even when you’re not actively thinking about them—these are the ones worth pursuing.
It’s also worth noting that inspiration doesn’t always have to feel grand. Some of the most compelling stories start with something small and grow over time. A line of poetry might expand into a novel; a single photograph might inspire an entire world. The key is to give yourself permission to explore without judgment.
Inspiration in the Everyday
If you’re ever stuck, try shifting your focus to the everyday. There’s magic in the mundane if you look closely enough. The rhythm of a train journey, the patterns of light on a rainy window, the small rituals people perform without thinking—these moments hold their own kind of beauty and depth.
One of my favorite exercises is to spend a day noticing the details. Carry a notebook and jot down anything that catches your attention: snippets of conversation, unusual sights, textures, sounds. At the end of the day, review your notes. Sometimes, a seemingly insignificant detail will jump out at you, sparking an idea you hadn’t anticipated.
Trust the Process
Lastly, remember that inspiration isn’t always linear. Some ideas will take years to come to fruition, while others might arrive fully formed. Be patient with yourself and trust the process. Creativity is a living thing; it grows and changes, often in ways we don’t expect.
If you have any thoughts or techniques you’d like to share about finding inspiration, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out via our forum post - 'How to find inspiration' and join the debate. After all, inspiration is something we can cultivate together.