I find book writing fun, but that doesn’t mean I find it easy. Staying inspired as a writer can be difficult, especially for professionals earning a living by writing. The best way to find inspiration is to look for it everywhere. Inspiration may come from your best friend’s experience, a conversation you overhear in a restaurant, or from a newspaper or magazine article.  Here are some tips to help you find your inspiration.

1.Decide if you want to write a true-to-life story or a fictional one.  A book that is your true story, using real names, dates, and places, is called a memoir. If you decide to write a book about another person’s life, you are writing a biography. A story that is a figment of your imagination, is a work of fiction.  If you have had a very interesting life (or know someone who has), chances are you will do great in the creative non-fiction category. If you are very creative and imaginative, fictional stories will be a piece of cake. Writer’s who want creative freedom with a true story can write the story using fictitious people and places. This is the style of book I currently have in the works and it’s a lot of fun. I also like that, while I have creative freedom, the plot is already in place to guide my writing.

2.Read books written by your favorite writers.  One way to appreciate the art of book writing is to read books from popular authors.  You will gain a whole new perspective about style and language and perhaps find your inspiration along the way.

3.Become a people watcher. Take a walk around your neighborhood, the mall, or the park. Sometimes scenery, a person, or a picture can inspire you.  Potential inspiration for your next book might be right around the corner. Many of my characters are based on real people and events, but with my writer’s flair added in.

4.Generate ideas and write them down. Jotting down your ideas will help you decide on a storyline later.

5.Feel it.  You have to care about your characters and plot or else writing will become a chore.  Although it is also necessary to use your brain in knowing what readers might want, in the end, what you feel most passionate about will definitely give you a more interesting and well-made story.

Inspiration can really come from anywhere. It may strike you at the most unexpected time and place. So get your pen and paper handy. You never know when a great idea will strike you.

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