Back when I used to write prompts off the top of my head, I'd get maybe 3 half-baked ideas before I ran dry

I'd just stare at a blank page and force something out that always felt recycled. Then about 6 months ago I started keeping a little notebook by my bed where I jot down random phrases I hear or see during the day, like a sign that said 'lost dog, answers to chicken nugget.' Now when I need a prompt I flip through those scraps and it's way easier to build something fresh. Has anyone else found a weird trick like that for generating ideas?

2 comments

2 Comments

james99512d ago

Man I totally get what you're saying. That notebook trick is GOLD. I do something similar where I save weird voicemails from wrong numbers and use those as jumping off points. Last week some old lady called asking if her cat had been found and I turned that into a whole story about a grumpy detective who solves pet cases. It's crazy how just grabbing random real world junk makes everything flow so much easier than trying to squeeze creativity out of your own head.

the_logan11d ago

Those voicemail ideas surprised me too. Never thought junk like that could work.