As writers, we’re often asked where we get our ideas.

The answers are far-reaching.

When I was in Scotland for our son’s wedding nine years ago, we went on several hikes. On one of these excursions, I took a rest by the side of the path and snapped a few pictures of the woodland. Because it was lush and green and covered with moss, it made me think I should write a story about a community of fae who lived in this idyllic setting.

Setting isn’t typically my go-to for inspiration, but I’m sure that will change next month when my hubby and I go on our Great European Adventure. For three weeks, our son and daughter-in-law, who live in Scotland, will serve as our tour guides of Ireland and Iceland as well as Scotland.

Exotic as well as familiar locales can serve as inspiration for our writing as long as we keep our eyes and ears open.

And speaking of ears . . .

Years ago, an older lady at church asked my son, who was wearing army boots at least three sizes too big for him, “Hey, Boots, where are you taking that boy?”

While I haven’t used that line in my writing—except in posts referring to where writers get their inspiration—I intend to use it in a book someday. What type of book? Possibly a picture book, a middle grade reader, or a novel for adults. Maybe one or more of these—or somewhere else.

Conversations, whether directed at us or not, can get our creative juices flowing. While we should be careful not to deliberately eavesdrop, we may want to make note of the snippets of conversation that we don’t want to forget.

Now that we have note-taking apps on our phone, it’s easier than ever to keep track of ideas and not count on our memory, which too often proves faulty because of all the other things that come along to distract us.

Not only can we take notes on our phone; we can also snap pictures of scenes that we may want to include in our writing in some way. (Before sharing pictures of people and buildings online or in printed materials, keep in mind that a written release may be required. They are required in my neck of the woods. Generally speaking, it’s best to refrain from taking pictures of children without their parents written permission and small groups of people, no matter their ages.)

Along with the places we visit and the conversations we overhear (or participate in), something in the books we read or the TV shows we watch can activate our imagination.

And sometimes inspiration can come from something like a rack of souvenirs bearing unique names. (I really wish I’d taken a picture of the display of small metal license plates I saw while on vacation in Frankenmuth, MI. There were several unfamiliar names that would have made great character names.)

And lastly . . .

While I would never publish a story, book, or blog post written by a generative AI program such as ChatGPT or Claude AI, given clear parameters, AI can serve as a great brainstorming partner. Yet another thing to inspire our writing!

Keep your eyes and ears open. Inspiration really is all around us.

Steph Beth Nickel is an editor, writer, and author. She is the current InScribe Contest Coordinator, the outgoing Pro Blog Moderator, and the past Editor of FellowScript. She and her hubby, Dave, plan to move to Saskatchewan from Ontario with their daughter to be close to family after Dave retires next spring.