Where Do Writers Find Their Inspiration?

J. K. Rowling was inspired to imagine the story of Harry Potter during a long train journey between her native Scotland and London. 

Antoine de St-Exupery, the author of the Little Prince, found his inspiration through his many travels. 

People are constantly inspired to write stories:

• Because they couldn’t find the story they wanted to read
• Because they wanted to share their experience
• Because they fell in love with an imaginary character
• Because they wanted to give a voice to those who have none
• Etc. 

With around 300,000 new titles being published every year, it is reasonable to believe that there could be room for your story to exist too. But where do authors go to find the inspiration they need to bring their imaginary world to life? 

We review a few ideas and methods that modern authors enjoy. 

Atmospheric music

Music can break or make a scene in a film. But, did you know that it can do the same for writers? Indeed, many writers like to create a playlist on YouTube or Spotify to induce the emotions they need for the story. It is not uncommon for the writing community to share and exchange tunes on platforms such as Twitter or Reddit based on their preferred themes. 

You can use a playlist to help during the writing of difficult scenes or simply to grasp the overarching sensation in the book. 

They travel to see new places

What better backdrop for a romantic holiday love story than the heart reef by Hamilton island? You might have seen pictures of the iconic heart-shaped reef surrounded by clear water on platforms such as Instagram. But, you could also go and see it by yourself. Some of the best places to stay on Hamilton Island for an aspiring writer include autonomous apartments and houses where you can have your undisturbed writing spot during your stay. 

Travelling to explore the world comes at a high cost. It is worth exploring some of the funding options available for writers, as there may be a travel grant for your needs. 

They are curious about everything

A writer is someone who asks a what if question and decides to create their own answer. 

While it might sound easy enough, in reality, every question brings another question. What if x happens? What is x? How does x happen? Why does x happen? Who has experience with x? How do people feel about x? How do I want my readers to feel about x? What makes x so fascinating? Like an artist putting beads on a string, the writer must learn to recognise the different questions, research and analyse the answers, and select the best ones that will go together. You don’t put beads without considering the end result first. And you don’t start writing without having a vague idea of what you are talking about and what you want to say about it. 

Therefore, writers find inspiration in satisfying their curiosity, whether they talk to people, watch documentaries, read other books, or witness an event. They select pieces of their realities to build beautiful stories for their readers.  

In conclusion, if you have an untold story you are dying to share, it is time to find your inspiration. Whether it is travel, curiosity, or even music, these pillars of inspiration have been the trigger of many of our favourite books. They could also be the starting point of yours. 

*This is a collaborative post