10 Ways to Inspire Your Fiction by Beth Barany

Tightrope Walking, from the Pretty Athletes series (N196) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. (1889) Hi Creative Writers, Here are 10 ways to inspire your fiction, when you’re stuck or when you want to start a writing day.

In no particular order:

  1. Listen to music on shuffle (I used Apple Music, but you could just as easily use Spotify, Pandora, etc.)
  2. Go to an art gallery (IRL — in real life — or virtually)
  3. Take a walk outdoors
  4. Watch something out of the ordinary on Netflix
  5. Browse at the bookstore or library and see what you’re drawn to
  6. Speak to a stranger and ask about their hobbies
  7. Ask a friend what lights them up
  8. Eat a new food
  9. Travel virtually via Instagram (I love traveling to Paris. Where would you love to go?)
  10. Playing “What if” with your writing friends.
  11. BONUS: Read children’s books! (Here’s one from my cousin, just published.)
  12. BONUS: See the earth from space. That will give you perspective.

What inspires you to write fiction?

Post in the comments below.

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  • Susan Policoff says:

    The creatures-birds of several kinds, squirrels, the occasional possum-and the trees right outside the window over my desk are my favorite inspiration, but several sites online that talk about books are good, too.

  • Beth Barany says:

    Oh wonderful, Susan! Animals are such a joy.

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