When you’re a writer, ideas feel both everywhere and nowhere at once. We all have those moments of staring at a blank page, wondering when the muse will strike or if it’s even out there. If you’re reading this, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about. So, how do you actually find the idea? Not just a passing thought but one that makes you think, yes, this could be a whole story.
I’d like to share a bit about my journey in finding my own novel, Soul Collector, idea because it didn’t come to me in a single, magical moment. It was more like connecting the dots between pieces of stories that already lived in my mind. One piece was a short story I had worked on about souls being out of the body. I liked it, but it always felt like there was something more I could do with it, something that went beyond just a short piece. At the same time, I’d always wanted to write a fantasy piece. I knew I wanted to explore worlds beyond the mundane, where reality can be a bit more flexible. It was only after turning these ideas over in my mind for a while, letting them marinate and evolve, that they finally clicked together. And there it was—an epiphany moment! I had a story that felt full of life and depth, one that could go beyond a few pages and grow into a full novel.
This experience taught me that sometimes, the best stories come when you combine different ideas. But combining isn’t the only way. Below are some other strategies I’ve found helpful, which might just lead you to your own novel-worthy concept.
1. Combine Different Ideas
Let’s start with this because it’s close to home for me. Sometimes the ideas we have aren’t fully realized yet. They’re interesting, but they don’t feel substantial on their own. This was exactly the case for me with the “Souls” short story and my desire to write fantasy. By combining them, I was able to create something unique—a story that had both an intriguing concept and the setting I wanted to explore: Soul Collector (coming soon!).
If you have two or three ideas rattling around in your brain that seem unrelated, try looking for common threads. Ask yourself:
- What if these ideas happened in the same world?
- How would these characters interact if they met?
- Is there a way these plot elements could feed into each other?
Experiment with it, even if it feels silly or strange. The intersection of two unrelated ideas might just give you the fresh perspective you need to build a compelling story.
2. Mine Your Daydreams
Writers are usually natural daydreamers. We’re constantly in our heads, imagining scenarios, characters, and “what if” situations. Start paying attention to those fleeting ideas. Maybe you’re on a walk, and a thought drifts in—“What if I could read people’s memories by touching their hands?” or “What if there was a society that didn’t understand color?” These little ideas might feel like random thoughts, but they could become the seed of a bigger story.
I keep a notebook or a notes app open for these daydream moments. Write down whatever strikes you, even if it’s just a phrase or image. Sometimes the most powerful ideas start as small, seemingly insignificant thoughts that only make sense in hindsight.
3. Explore “What If” Scenarios
One of the classic ways to brainstorm is to ask “what if.” This simple question has led to some of the most imaginative novels out there. The beauty of “what if” is that it opens the door to all kinds of scenarios, no matter how wild or out there they might be.
Start with questions like:
- What if humanity could communicate with plants?
- What if memories were a currency?
- What if magic could only be performed by children?
And, if you don’t like these questions I’ve given, ask AI to give you some! It could help get you started on a story thread–but don’t let AI write it for you. No one–not even technology–should take your voice away.
You don’t need a fully fleshed-out idea to start with. Just follow where the question takes you. Sometimes these “what ifs” will lead nowhere, and that’s fine. But every so often, you’ll stumble upon a concept that grabs you.
4. Use Real-Life Inspirations
Truth is often stranger than fiction. The world around us is full of incredible, strange, and inspiring things. Pay attention to news stories, historical events, cultural myths, or scientific discoveries that catch your interest. Take those stories and ask yourself how they could be the basis for something in your fictional world.
For example:
- You read about an old-fashioned custom that sounds almost supernatural to modern ears. Could it work as a belief system in your fantasy world?
- A quirky museum exhibit might inspire an artifact with unique powers.
- An unusual job could become the main occupation in your fictional society.
Real life is an endless source of inspiration. Use it to add layers to your world and to make your story feel grounded, even if it’s set in a magical universe. (Check out some of the pictures I took on vacation to Alaska!)
5. Think About Themes You Care Deeply About
When you care about something, your passion will naturally fuel your storytelling. Reflect on themes, topics, or questions that mean something to you personally. This can be anything from exploring identity, grappling with faith, understanding loss, or discovering inner strength.
Think of how this theme could unfold in your story’s world. When I decided to pursue a novel that included souls out of the body, I was partly interested in exploring questions about identity and purpose. Writing from that place of curiosity helped give my idea substance, taking it from a simple concept to a story with heart.
You might find that your story doesn’t take shape all at once, but when you know the “why” behind it, the “how” will come more easily.
6. Allow Yourself to Write Bad Ideas
Not every idea you come up with is going to be a winner, and that’s okay. When brainstorming, give yourself permission to write down ideas that might not work. Part of finding the right idea is getting through a lot of wrong ones first. It’s like digging for gold; you have to sift through a lot of sand and stones.
One way to keep your brainstorming process loose is by doing a 10-ideas-a-day exercise. Jot down 10 different story ideas every day, no matter how ridiculous or uninspired they seem. You’ll surprise yourself with how creative you can be when the pressure to be perfect is off.
7. Reimagine Familiar Stories
Sometimes the best ideas come when you take something familiar and turn it on its head. Is there a story you love, a myth, or even a classic novel that you feel could be retold or reimagined? Of course, you don’t want to copy the story, but you can use its core as a springboard.
Think of how many classic tales are retold in new settings or with new characters—Romeo and Juliet reimagined in a futuristic world, or Sherlock Holmes solving crimes in a fantasy realm. Playing with these kinds of twists can reveal new avenues for your creativity.
Finding Your Unique Spark
Finding your novel idea is a process, and it often involves a lot of trial and error. My own journey showed me that inspiration doesn’t always come in a flash; sometimes, it’s pieced together from fragments of old ideas, daydreams, and a lot of unanswered “what ifs.”
There’s no one way to come up with a story. The strategies above are just starting points. As you try them out, you might discover your own method that works even better for you. The most important thing? Stay curious, and trust the process. When you let yourself explore, your next big idea might just be around the corner.
