LISTEN CAREFULLY:  Eavesdrop – at a restaurant or on a bus, & record bits of overheard conversation.  Sometimes the dialogue will jump-start all kinds of ideas.

READ THE OBITUARIES:  Do you wonder about the part of a person’s life that isn’t reported in the death notices?  Use your imagination to fill in the gaps.

PUT YOURSELF IN ANOTHER PERSON’S PLACE:   Pick a character, maybe from the Bible, and read his or her story carefully.  Write a story as though you were that character.

TELL THE STORY BEHIND A PHOTOGRAPH:   Find a picture that intrigues you or stirs a memory – maybe an early photo of your mother.  You will be surprised at what memories are invoked.

LISTEN TO STORIES FROM FRIENDS OR RELATIVES OR EVEN STRANGERS:  I once sat on a park bench with a notebook when an old lady came & sat next to me.  She started telling me her life story, and it was one of the most fascinating stories I had ever heard.

START WITH A SETTING: Describe a setting in such detail that it can’t be mistaken for any other spot in the world, & then let people loose in it. This is a great story starter.

USE A MAP: Pick out towns with odd names, and think about what it would be like to live there.  I read recently a story by F. Scott Fitzgerald set in the town of Hades  called “A Diamond as Big as the Ritz”.  Hades & people’s reaction to the name was a big part of the plot.

THINK OF A COLOR :   For example, “red” might evoke russet apples, fragrant roses, scraped knees,  a flag  … ideas are endless.

The next time your are all out of inspiration, maybe one of the above suggestions can get you started.

Happy writing.  I am always glad to hear your comments, and help you with any writing difficulties.  My latest novel (no. 14) “Searching for Sarah” is now available direct from me at discount:  contact  dwaysman@gmail.com   ; also “In A Good Pasture” and some copies of “Esther” ; a Jerusalem Love Story; and “The Pomegranate Pendant” – now a movie titled “The Golden Pomegranate”.