5 Unexpected Places to Get the Best Writing Ideas Ever

“Sometimes you need to go through something bad to strengthen the relationship.”

The words had barely left my friend’s lips, and I was already reaching for my pen to write that idea down.

It was a brilliant blog post topic, and before I knew it, I realized I needed to ask him if I could write about it.

He said yes because he’s awesome. Thinking about it later, I realized that phone calls with friends can actually create a lot of writing ideas.

It’s a place not many writers tend to look for inspiration, so I thought I might give out a few places I find my own inspiration, to give you a look behind the scenes.

1. Conversations With Friends

Not just phone calls. I’m talking about dinner conversations.

I’m talking having heart-to-hearts with your kids. Don’t just look for noteworthy ideas, look for the ways they react to the people around them, or when they show emotion.

What did they laugh at? What pissed them off in the conversation?

Right after you get done talking with them, go write down a few ideas you got during the conversation. Make sure it’s RIGHT after you hang up the phone or go your separate ways.

Write them down while they’re fresh.

2. Movies, TV Shows, and Music

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened up a blog post writing about a movie scene. I do it a lot. Something I don’t do, though, is to write about something I learned right after I get done watching a movie, a TV show episode, or even after I get done listening to a song.

I just enjoy myself, check my phone, and forget everything that stood out to me. Don’t make the same mistake. Write down some ideas right afterward.

3. Your Favorite Blog Posts

Do not copy. Please do not copy.

You could offer a different spin on someone’s idea, though. You can do this in one of two ways.

One, you could go completely against the grain and disagree with what they said, or two, you could continue their argument even further than they chose to take it.

It’s like drawing a tree. You could add a branch to their argument, and then maybe someone would add their own branch to your argument later until it’s much more detailed.

You might find yourself responding to a response — which is when it really gets meta.

4. What People Say To You (Positive or Negative)

Shannon Ashley is the master of this. Nobody does it better, and nobody even comes close in my mind.

Shannon takes what people say/do to her and uses it as writing inspiration. It could be good stuff or bad stuff. She’s great at both, but it seems her most meaningful stuff comes from the negative things people say to her in the comments section, in other blog posts, or in her day-to-day life.

I think this can be a great way to process what’s happened to you because negative words can be super devastating and undeserved.

I’ve also taken the nasty stuff that people have said about me and used it to write my own response. I never tag the person. I don’t even want them to see it, really. I just want the chance to write a detailed response to show my side of it. I do it for me alone. It’s therapy.

I take my hardest moments and turn them into art.

So does Shannon. Normally she writes about stuff within days after it happened so it’s still fresh in her mind.

She’s a master of doing this and I bet it really helps her both creatively and personally, just as it does for me.

5. Any New Situations You’re In

Traveling to Paris? Great, you’re about to get inundated with writing ideas.

You’re about to see boatloads of people eating outside at dinner and you’re going to get a front-row seat to what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water.

As you grapple with negative thoughts, doubt, and general panic, don’t forget to write about it.

Again, it can be used as therapy.

Just pull out your journal, write about the emotions you’re feeling at the moment, and write about why you think you’re feeling that way.

Traveling is a great primer for writing ideas. I see crazy stuff here in the Philippines every day, and I feel completely lost at least once a week. It’s pushed me in new directions as an individual, and it is a goldmine for writing ideas.

We all can write dynamite stuff. If you’re worried you’re not that “interesting,” don’t worry — the world around you will ALWAYS be interesting.

Besides, you are interesting. I think every person is. Now go write.