What themes or topics do they explore? What emotions do they evoke in you? How can you put your own spin on them or combine them with other ideas?
For example, maybe you loved a historical fiction novel set in World War II and wondered how it would be different if it had elements of magic or sci-fi.
Or maybe you enjoyed a comedy show about a dysfunctional family and thought of how you could make it darker or more dramatic.
Current events or trends
Follow the news and social media. Look for stories that interest you or challenge you. What issues or problems do they raise? What questions do they pose? How can you use them as a backdrop or a catalyst for your story?
For example, maybe you read about a breakthrough in genetic engineering and imagined how it could affect society and individuals.
Or maybe you saw a viral video of a prank gone wrong and thought of how it could escalate into a thriller or a horror story.
Random prompts or exercises
Use online generators or books that provide prompts or exercises for writers. They can be words, phrases, images, scenarios, questions, or challenges that spark your creativity.
Don’t censor yourself or judge your ideas. Just write down whatever comes to mind and see where it leads you.
For example, maybe you got a prompt that said “Your character sees a ghost” and wrote down a scene where a young girl encounters the spirit of her dead mother.
Or maybe you got an exercise that asked you to write a story in two different worlds and came up with an idea about a portal between Earth and another planet.
Brainstorming and freewriting
Set aside some time and space to let your mind wander. Write down any ideas that pop into your head, no matter how silly or absurd they seem.
Don’t worry about grammar, spelling, or structure. Just write whatever flows from your imagination. You can also use techniques such as mind mapping, clustering, listing, or outlining to organize your thoughts.
For example, maybe you brainstormed about different types of scars and what they mean for your characters. Or maybe you freewrote about an orphan who discovers their true identity.
How to develop a novel idea?
Once you have found a novel idea that excites you, you need to develop it into a full-fledged story. This involves fleshing out your characters, setting, plot, theme, and genre.
