Comments on: 10 Ways to Find Inspiration for Your Writing

By: Merry Prankster

Merry Prankster — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:40:31 +0000

I’ve found listening to others read (Selected Shorts podcast, The Moth podcast, etc) before I go to sleep, helps me wake up in the morning with a story going in my head.

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:42:50 +0000

@Amy @Giselle @ Rocky:

Glad you each found something useful in this list! Thanks for your feedback

By: Rocky | R O C K O N O V A.COM

Rocky | R O C K O N O V A.COM — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:35:14 +0000

Great list, Suzannah! I know photographs definitely have a way of stirring up words in my head when I need em. Also lyrics have a way of doing that too for me.

I gotta try dropping some eaves and see where that leads me!

By: Giselle

Giselle — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:38:48 +0000

Wonderful list Suzannah. Two of your items have helped me tremendously in the past: Writing prompts and books. I am sure this list will be of great inspiration to your readers.

By: amy koehler

amy koehler — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:24:48 +0000

Simple yet very sound advice. Thank you!

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:05:08 +0000

Christopher, I do this _all_ the time, too. I sometimes wonder if I’m unconsciously staring at people when I’m grocery shopping or walking down the street There are stories everywhere.

By: Christopher Jackson

Christopher Jackson — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:33:42 +0000

Thanks for these Suzannah, great article!

Probably my favourite out of your examples is #8. I love to sit and people watch, and find myself doing it without even realising. I love to sit by the Monument in Newcastle city centre, watching people going by. Sometimes people stand out from the crowd for some reason, and they can instantly walk into a story. Others, if you watch them for a moment, will give you a glimpse of something, an odd habit or a candid emotion, that can really inspire.

By: Elena

Elena — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:29:07 +0000

Suzannah, that’s so true! I’d love to compare ten different people’s responses to the same lyrics…maybe Fuel Your Writing should host a songfiction challenge…

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:52:53 +0000

Elena, thanks for giving us an example of how you’ve used lyrics to get inspired. I think you could put the same lyrics in front of 10 different writers, and each one would come up with a unique story of their own.

By: Elena

Elena — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:43:31 +0000

The music idea is one I’ve used. Actually, songfiction is a good way to get started: get the lyrics of a song that you love in front of you, and just let them flow through you until words and ideas come out. I did this recently with a song by The Smiths and got a surprising little story out of it!

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:47:04 +0000

Thanks Eden. I like how these kind of posts often get people to share their own ideas (like Christopher’s suggestion about video games). It’s a good way to find out what other people do and try them out for yourself!

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:43:47 +0000

Video games is an interesting idea–hadn’t thought of that at all! I can see how it definitely could work. Thanks for sharing this one!

By: Suzannah-Write It Sideways

Suzannah-Write It Sideways — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:42:38 +0000

Thanks Beth. I’m glad you found some inspiration today! Music is one of my favourites as well. It seems to really get the mind working. Best of luck!

By: Brandon @ WeBlogBetter.com

Brandon @ WeBlogBetter.com — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:38:03 +0000

The eavesdropping is funny – kinda like “live” trending topics.

By: Eden

Eden — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Great advice!! All of these have helped me at some point or another. Thanks for putting it all out there and making it accessible — sometimes we tend to forget these things…