Brainstorming sessions can be really helpful. Get together with some writer friends or just by yourself. Write down any random thoughts or concepts that come to your mind. Don't censor yourself at this stage. You could also look at art, paintings, or sculptures. They can stir emotions and ideas. For example, a painting of a desolate landscape might inspire a story about a character lost in a similar place. Also, keep a journal of your dreams. Sometimes, dreams can provide the most creative and unexpected ideas for fiction.
You can try to combine different concepts that you like. Say you like the idea of vampires and also like the concept of a boarding school. You could create a story about a boarding school for vampires. Traveling is also a great source of inspiration. When you visit new places, you experience different cultures, landscapes, and ways of life. All of these can be turned into elements of a fiction story. And don't forget about history. There are countless historical events and figures that can be the basis for an amazing fictional tale.
Read a lot of different books. Reading exposes you to various plots, characters, and settings, which can inspire your own story ideas. For example, if you read a mystery novel, you might get an idea for a mystery - themed story with your own unique twists.
Read a lot. Reading different genres can expose you to various concepts and storylines that can inspire your own ideas. For example, if you read a science - fiction book about a future society with a unique social structure, you might be able to adapt some of those ideas for your own novel. Another way is to observe the world around you. People - watching can give you ideas about different characters and their relationships. You can also draw inspiration from your own dreams. Sometimes, the strange and surreal scenarios in our dreams can be the basis for a great novel.
Consider current social issues. For instance, issues like inequality, climate change, or mental health. Create characters who are directly or indirectly affected by these issues. You can also research different cultures and sub - cultures. Incorporating elements of different cultures can add depth and uniqueness to your story. For example, you could write about a character from a small, rural community who moves to a big city and has to adapt to a completely different way of life.
Read a lot of science fiction books. Authors like Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Philip K. Dick have a wealth of ideas that can inspire you. For example, Asimov's 'Three Laws of Robotics' can give you ideas about the relationship between humans and machines in a science fiction context.
Brainstorming with friends or in a writing group can be very helpful. They might come up with ideas that you haven't thought of. For instance, if you mention that you want to write a mystery, they could suggest a unique setting like an abandoned amusement park. Another way is to look at history. There are so many events and figures in history that can be re - imagined in a fictional context. You could take a real - life event like the sinking of the Titanic and add a supernatural element to it.
Read a lot of different types of books. Fantasy books can give you ideas about magical creatures and worlds. Science fiction books can inspire ideas about future technology. Even non - fiction books can give you ideas for settings or characters based on real - life events or people.
Watch old sports documentaries. They are full of great ideas. You can learn about different sports eras, the rivalries, and the great players. For example, a documentary about the rivalry between two tennis players in the 80s can inspire you to write a story about modern - day rivalries in the sport.
Use your dreams as a source of ideas. Sometimes our dreams are filled with strange and wonderful scenarios. Try to remember your dreams and see if there are any elements that could be turned into a short story. For example, if you dreamt of flying over a city made of candy, you could write a short story about a character who discovers this magical city and what they do there.
Brainstorming sessions can be really helpful. Sit down with a pen and paper or use a digital tool. Start with a simple concept like 'a lost city' and then start writing down all the things that come to mind. What kind of people live there? What secrets does it hold? Keep building on the initial idea until you have a full - fledged novel concept.