To find inspiration to write, do not wait for it to find you: go out and look for it. Watch people in public places, play a video game with a strong story, listen to music you would not normally choose, take a new route, travel, and ask people questions.
Waiting for inspiration is rarely a writer's smartest move. You need to get out there and find it yourself. But how, and where?
6 ways to find inspiration
Your experience may vary, but many writers use these simple tips to get past writer's block.
Go out and watch people
Sit in a café, a park, or any other public place, and just watch. What do you think the people around you are doing right now? Where are they going? What makes them do what they do? What are they feeling? The world is full of people, and each of them is playing a different role. When you sit and watch, you will not run out of inspiration anytime soon.
Play video games
There are many games with excellent storylines, such as Final Fantasy IX, Persona 5, and God of War. The great thing is that you do not just read the story; you dive into it. When you are immersed in a game, ideas can't help but flow into your mind.
Listen to music
Open yourself up to more than the music and songs you already like. It is hard to find inspiration when you are shut up in your own little box. For a change, listen to songs that you dislike. Be an active listener, and try to hear them from a different point of view.
Hop in and drive
Anything you see on the road can inspire you. Do you think driving is too distracting? Then ride a bus and take the window seat. If you can, take a route you do not know. When you drive along the same old route, you already know what to expect, and there is nothing new to spark your imagination.
Go on your dream vacation
How long have you been putting off that dream vacation of yours? There is no time to lose. Take that vacation and take a breather.
But remember: do not travel in order to find inspiration. That mindset only weighs you down. Just have fun and take everything in.
Ask questions
This is probably the most focused way of finding inspiration: you just ask. Say you need to write a blog post about the education system and have no idea which issue to focus on. Go to your favorite forum, social network, or website and ask around, for example: "In your opinion, what is the biggest problem with our education system?" Let the answers pour in, and then sift through them for what you need.
"Why don't I just Google it?"
Of course, you can do that too. But when you ask real people, you start a discussion about the topic you are interested in. People add their own views and personal experiences, and that can open the door to ideas you did not even know existed.
If you still need a starting point after all that, pick one of these writing prompts.