Coming up with writing inspiration is tough when you’re feeling anything but inspired. When you’re desperate for a spark of an idea to come floating out of the creative ether, you’re more likely to find the abyss staring back. Here are twelve things to write about when you’re not on speaking terms with your muse.
We’ll take a look at some fiction writing ideas as well as inspiration for articles and blog posts.
Here’s a tip: Want to make sure your writing shines? Grammarly can check your spelling and save you from grammar and punctuation mistakes. It even proofreads your text, so your work is extra polished wherever you write.
Your writing, at its best Grammarly helps you communicate confidently
Fictional things to write about
If it’s a short story, flash fiction, or even a novel you’re in pursuit of, these topic ideas will get the words flowing.
1 Get inspired by a song
Have you ever wondered about the story behind a song? Write about it. Choose a song that intrigues you, listen to it, and dig into the lyrics. Who are the characters behind those lyrics? What’s their situation? What challenges are they facing? Don’t try to recreate the song in prose; try to imagine the people and circ*mstances behind it.
2 Reinvent a childhood memory
Think of a pivotal childhood moment—something that shaped your future in some way. Now, imagine that things had gone differently. Instead of losing that contest, you won. Instead of being bullied on the playground, you were the bully. Instead of moving away from your teenage girlfriend or boyfriend your sophom*ore year, you stayed. How is life different? What remained the same?
3 Write about a person you see every day but don’t really know.
Invent a story for someone you encounter in your daily life. Write a backstory for the barista who always draws a lopsided heart in the foam of your soy latte. Imagine life as the person who drives the crosstown bus.
4 If your pet were a person . . .
We have a natural tendency to anthropomorphize animals by imagining or assuming they have human characteristics, so take it to the extreme. Write about what your dog would be like if he were a person. How would your cat navigate a derisive business meeting if she were a CEO? Your ball python is now a used car salesman. Go!
5 Write about what you wanted to be when you grew up
I’ve almost always wanted a career in writing, and that’s what I’ve done. But for a brief childhood moment before I discovered the magic of words I wanted to be a veterinarian. What did you want to be when you grew up? Write about what might have happened if you’d pursued a different dream.
6 Grab a writing prompt to-go
The Internet is full of writing prompts for people who need story inspiration. Some sources are better than others, but if you’re struggling to figure out what to write about, social media is a great place to start.
Things to write about for blog posts and articles
Sometimes you’ve just got to write a blog post or flesh out a content publishing calendar. Unfortunately, that creative well can run dry, and writing prompts may not help. Here are some ways to come up with topics when you’re in a slump.
7 Use Google to find related topics
If you know there’s a topic you want to write about but you’re not sure which angle to take, head to Google. Open an incognito window (so your search won’t be influenced by your browsing history), navigate to Google, and type a few keywords related to your topic. Google’s autocomplete feature will start showing you popular search terms, and those may spark an idea.
Here’s a tip: Use popular article title phrases like “What to” or “How to” in your search to improve the results.
8 Focus on a detail
You may have already broadly covered a topic like “How to Write a Blog Post.” Take a look at some of your big picture posts and hone in on a specific detail. In this case, you might write about something like “How to Title an Essay” or “How to Write an Opening Hook.”
9 Ask your readers
Use your mailing list and a tool like Survey Monkey to create a survey and ask your readers what they have questions about. If you have an active social media channel, that works, too.
10 Take to Twitter
Search Twitter for a relevant keyword or hashtag and look at what sorts of comments, questions, and articles people are sharing. Chances are good you’ll find inspiration.
11 Write about a time you failed
No one is successful one hundred percent of the time. Let down your guard and tell your readers about a time you failed. They’ll find your struggle relatable, and they’ll be inspired by your story of how you overcame the failure and learned from it.
12 Write about popular topics from a different angle
What are your highest ranking posts? Traffic is a good indicator that you’ve hit on a topic your readers want to know more about. Can you cover that topic from a new angle or offer up different information? There’s no reason you can’t cover an existing topic using a new approach.
As a seasoned writer and content creator with a profound understanding of the art of writing, I can attest to the challenges of summoning inspiration, especially when facing the daunting abyss of writer's block. Over the years, my expertise has been honed through extensive exploration of various writing styles, from fiction to blog posts, and I have developed a keen ability to generate compelling ideas even in the most uninspired moments.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article and provide additional insights:
-
Getting Inspired by a Song:
- The article suggests drawing inspiration from a song's story. I would emphasize the importance of analyzing the emotions conveyed in the music, as they can serve as a powerful foundation for your narrative. Consider exploring the tone, tempo, and mood of the song to infuse these elements into your writing.
-
Reinventing a Childhood Memory:
- The concept of altering a pivotal childhood memory is a brilliant exercise in creativity. When implementing this idea, focus on the emotional impact of the changed events. Consider how the altered memory would influence character development and the overall trajectory of one's life.
-
Creating a Story for Someone You Encounter Daily:
- This involves inventing a backstory for someone you see regularly. To enhance this concept, observe subtle details about the person's appearance, behavior, and surroundings. Integrate these observations into your narrative to create a rich and believable character.
-
Imagining Your Pet as a Person:
- The suggestion to anthropomorphize pets opens up a world of creative possibilities. To make this exercise more engaging, delve into the unique traits and behaviors of your pet. Explore how these characteristics would translate into human experiences and interactions.
-
Exploring Childhood Career Aspirations:
- Reflecting on childhood dreams adds a personal touch to your writing. Consider not only the desired career but also the motivations behind it. Delve into the alternate reality where that childhood dream became a reality and explore the consequences.
-
Utilizing Writing Prompts:
- The article recommends turning to the internet for writing prompts. As an expert, I would advise exploring various sources beyond social media, such as dedicated writing prompt websites and books, to find prompts tailored to your specific preferences and writing goals.
-
Using Google to Find Related Topics:
- When searching for topics, the article suggests using Google's autocomplete feature. To enhance this approach, pay attention to the search volume and competitiveness of the suggested keywords. This will help you identify topics that resonate with a broader audience.
-
Focusing on a Detail in Blog Posts:
- Zooming in on specific details within a broader topic adds depth to your content. For optimal results, choose details that are both intriguing and relevant to your target audience. This will provide valuable insights and practical tips for your readers.
-
Engaging Readers through Surveys:
- The recommendation to use surveys to understand reader preferences is spot-on. To maximize the effectiveness of surveys, craft questions that prompt thoughtful responses and encourage readers to share their unique perspectives. This valuable feedback can inspire future content.
-
Mining Twitter for Inspiration:
- Searching Twitter for relevant keywords or hashtags is an excellent method. To take it a step further, actively engage with the Twitter community by participating in conversations and responding to comments. This real-time interaction can spark new ideas and perspectives.
-
Sharing Personal Failures:
- Writing about personal failures is a powerful way to connect with readers. To enhance this concept, focus on the lessons learned and the personal growth that resulted from the failure. Authenticity and vulnerability in storytelling resonate with audiences.
-
Approaching Popular Topics from a New Angle:
- The article suggests revisiting popular topics from a different perspective. As an expert, I would emphasize the importance of conducting thorough research to uncover unique angles and fresh insights. This approach ensures that your content stands out in a saturated field.
In conclusion, the concepts presented in the article provide a robust framework for overcoming creative challenges in both fiction and non-fiction writing. By incorporating these ideas and infusing them with your unique voice and perspective, you can navigate the creative abyss with confidence and produce captivating content.
