Whether you’re preparing to embark on your maiden voyage as a writer or have already published several books, finding ways to stimulate creativity is always helpful for an author. Have you ever been in a situation where you thought the unfolding events you were experiencing would make a great book? In fact, drawing from personal experiences in daily life is one of the best ways to generate new story ideas.
As a fiction author, your primary goal is to captivate readers’ attention by drawing them into a pretend world where relatable and memorable characters exist. A great novel starts with a good idea. Implementing the creative options you’ll discover in this post can help you compile a running list of new story ideas that will keep you busy writing for years.
Try these ways to spark new story ideas
Kickstarting a novel (which means coming up with a fresh idea) is often the most challenging part of an author’s journey. Keep the following list in mind when you’re trying to generate new story ideas:
- Develop the habit of using writing prompts to improve creative thinking skills.
- Embrace “down time” that leads to boredom because this allows your mind to wander, which can lead to new story ideas.
- Become a people watcher—observing other people’s behavior, speech and interactions might get you thinking about possible characters and storylines.
- Take advantage of advanced technology, such as AI, to generate ideas.
- You’ll undoubtedly start brainstorming new story ideas if you travel to places you’ve never visited in the past.
Once an idea for a story pops into your head, think about elements, such as setting, era, plot, and character development. If it’s a good idea, you’ll find that the creative wheels start turning. You’ll begin to build upon the idea by filling in details regarding where, when, and how your story will take place.
Test your ideas out on family and friends
It’s always wise to use beta testers for new story ideas. Share a basic overview of an idea for a new book with family members and friends, preferably those who are avid readers and who enjoy your chosen genre. Ask if they think they’d enjoy a book based on your idea.
Consider positive feedback as a sign to move on to the next phase to start writing your novel. If most responses are negative, ask if there’s a way to tweak the new story’s idea to make it more appealing. If not, then you might want to test a few other ideas instead.
