Inspiration strikes every writer at different times and in a wide variety of ways but what do you do if you want to write but you don't know what to write about?

First, relax. That problem has stumped more than one talented writer and the surest way to stifle your muse is to worry too much about coming up with the "perfect" idea.

Plots do not exist in a vacuum. They need characters to evolve and grow. Those characters need conflict or problems to cope with throughout the story. So if you're not sure what you want your story to be about consider 'who' you would like your protagonist to be.

The new or insecure writer may want to use a main character that they can relate to and understand. For the more experienced writer, try tackling someone you don’t identify with and do some research into who/what your protagonist is. The world you place them in should be one you know or find interesting enough to research or create.

For the beginning fantasy or science fiction writer who is feeling overwhelmed with the creation stage of the story, he/she might want to use existing worlds (not copyrighted ones unless you're sticking to fan-fiction which isn't publishable for money). World building can be a daunting task and if it frightens instead of inspiring you, hold off on attempting it until you're a little more confident in your work.

Building on a basic plot idea can be fun if you allow yourself to relax and enjoy the process. Let's take a basic murder mystery and consider the ways to build the story. In its simplest terms you know a murder is going to occur. Where do you go from there? Think about the parts of the story and work out from the one that inspires you the most. If you like working with characters then decide whom you're going to start with, the victim, the murderer or the person who solves the crime.

Characterization:
Age
Physical traits and limitations
Social standing
Economic condition
Family background
Health – mental and physical

Where does your murder take place?

Setting:
What era?
What geographic location? Which country?
Rural or city?
Mountains, desert, or on a boat in the middle of a lake or ocean?


Motivation:
Money
Passion
Jealousy
Patriotic or religious beliefs
To hide information
For the thrill of it.

Motivation can be the strongest element of your plot. Our characters must always have reasons for behaving the way they do, even if that reason is simply because what they're doing makes them "feel" good. Take all the information you've decided upon about your character. Examine their personality and work from there. Have fun with the story. Most of us have a person in our lives that we wish would go away. Sometimes using that person's personality for your victim can provide all the inspiration you need to get started. Some writers will recoil at that suggestion. For those I recommend looking at the places they like to visit or at their own hobbies and jobs. Dick Francis has written several best selling novels based on his prior experience in the horse racing industry.

Most of this article may feel like very basic for an experienced writer but even the most prolific writers can occasionally find themselves stuck for an idea, be it for a novel, short story or even the next scene in their work in progress. One of the best ways to work through writer's block or lack of inspiration is to look at the things that inspire and interest you and then begin to ask questions about the person and situation you would like to visit as you write.

© Copyright 2003 Tina Morgan