7 ways to come up with book ideas

1. Start with a short story.

Start with something small like a short story can feel more manageable if you’re intimidated by the length of a novel, the prospect of writing 800 words is certainly less daunting than the prospect of writing 300 pages. Create an outline for a short story and start writing without the pressure of turning it into a bestseller. When you’re finished, evaluate what you’re written—does the narrative have legs? Can it be expanded into something longer? If not, that’s okay—not every story needs to become a novel.

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2. Base a character on someone you know in real life.

If you’re struggling to find inspiration, why not look around your real life? It can be easier to write about the things we know, so taking inspiration from those around you is a great way to start. Whether you’re expanding a fantasy about someone you sat next to on the bus or you’re delving into your relationship with a family member, centering your book around a character that’s inspired by someone who’s important to you can be a fruitful way to start writing.

3. Scan the headlines.

Looking for a starting point for science fiction or a mystery? Sometimes reality is the best place to start. Flip through the newspaper or scroll through your favorite news media site, keeping an eye out for strange or compelling headlines. You don’t actually have to read the news stories—a five word headline might be enough to fire up your imagination.

4. Free-write or free-associate.

Staring at a blinking cursor on a blank document while trying to force the perfect idea out is a recipe for disaster. In moments of frustration, take a deep breath and relinquish control. Set a timer for 30 minutes and start writing or typing, not worrying about what’s coming out, simply trying to get words on the page. Make a rule that it doesn’t matter what you write, you just have to keep your pen moving or fingers typing for the full 30 minutes. Freewriting and letting the words come out stream-of-consciousness style can be a freeing experience and can help you push through feelings of intense writer’s block.

5. Start with a prompt.

Struggling to think of what to write? You’re not alone. There are thousands of creative writing prompts out there that can get you thinking about a certain topic you may not have considered before or help you tune into a feeling that you wouldn’t normally think of examining. Here are a few ideas:

• Write a story that starts with someone eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
• Write about an interaction between a dentist and their patient.
• Write about a letter that gets lost in the mail.
• Write a story with a happy ending.
• Write about two people making eye contact for the first time.
• Write about the last thing that made you angry.
• Look around the room and write about an object in your line of sight.

6. Adapt a fairytale or myth.

From Greek mythology to Cinderella, there are stories that have been told over and over again throughout time. Pick a fairytale or story from mythology and adapt it for a setting of your choosing—whether that’s modern day or another period in history.

7. Keep a dream journal.

Who says ideas have to come from your conscious mind? Often, we work through ideas and feelings in dreams. Start taking note of what you dream every night and write down as much as you can remember when you wake up. Whether you pick up on a small detail or get inspiration for a multilayered narrative, looking to your own dreams can result in unexpected writing ideas. And even if your unconscious doesn’t reveal your next novel, at the end of the year you’ll have a long log of dreams—which certainly counts for something.