A Writer’s Spark of Inspiration

Things I like to do that inspire me to write

Photo by Haley Hydorn on Unsplash

Sometimes us writers need a boost of inspiration as we click and twirl our pen, wondering what to write next. We also might need that inspiration when we are in one of our writing slumps. We want to write but at the same time, we just aren’t feeling it. Maybe it’s burnout, or maybe it’s just one of those days.

Regardless of the reason, when I am in need of some much needed inspiration to get me back into writing, here are a few of my favorite ways to do so:

Visit a bookstore

If you’re looking for writing inspiration, what better way than to visit a bookstore and browse the shelves of your favorite genre?

I wish there was a bookstore closer to me. The closest one is about 25 minutes away in a shopping complex which is still quite reasonable.

When I do go to a bookstore, while I usually end up leaving a bookstore with at least one book, I don’t have to walk out of a bookstore with a book in hand to feel a sense of inspiration. Browsing the shelves is inspiration enough.

I find bookstores inspiring because I’m one who loves the feel and smell of opening the pages of a physical book. There’s quite nothing like pulling a book off the shelf after being drawn to its cover, then flipping it over front to back.

The next time you find yourself at a bookstore, what can really help is browsing the shelves of your favorite genre or author. Better yet, venture into a genre you’ve never read before. That can spark all sorts of new story ideas.

Watch author interviews

Every now and then, I’ll be watching a morning variety show and there will be segment about a debut author or an interview with a well known author on their latest book release. I am drawn to author interviews especially when they go in depth. What inspired their story? How long have they been writing? What started their love for writing? Even if it’s an interview with an author of a genre I don’t really read, I am still inspired and will give my full attention.

Regardless of what genre the author writes in, learning the author’s motives and the behind the scenes of their story gives me a great deal of inspiration. Most especially if its a debut author!

Watch book un-boxings

This is sort of related to watching author interviews. Except book un-boxings are usually shorter but no less satisfying!

Book un-boxings are exciting because most of the time they involve a debut writer, unboxing, unwrapping, and seeing their book for the first time. Sometimes, like the author interviews, the writer will give a quick behind the scenes talk on what inspired them to write their book.

Maybe one day, when I publish a book, I’ll do a book un-boxing! 😉

You can find book un-boxings on video platforms like YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Instagram, and Tik Tok.

A change in scenery

Sometimes, a simple change in scenery is all I really need to get that spark of inspiration.

It can be visiting a cafe I normally don’t stop at or even as simple as moving to a different part of the house to write. I think our creative minds tend to work better when there is a change in routine.

What’s more the change in scenery can give me a wealth of story ideas no matter how simple the change is. And I think that’s the best thing about it!

Key Message: You can find a wealth of inspiration as a writer just about anywhere!