Ever stared at a blank page and thought, “I want to write… but about what?” Don’t worry—you’re not out of ideas. You just haven’t found them yet.

Ideas come from everywhere: your memories, dreams, observations, emotions, and even the weird stuff that floats through your brain when you're half-awake. But to turn them into stories, poems, or characters, you need to notice them. Let’s break it down.

Daydreaming, The Brain’s Free Movie Theatre

Daydreaming isn’t laziness. It’s your imagination exploring “What if?”

What if a dragon lived under my school? What if my cat could talk, but only at midnight? What if I switched lives with my best friend for one day?

These thoughts are idea seeds. Your job is to pay attention to them.

Tip: When you catch yourself zoning out—lean into it. Ask yourself:

• Where is this thought going?

• What would happen next?

• Could this be a story?

Writers often use “what if” questions to build worlds. So next time your brain drifts, follow it. You might find your next big idea.

Personal Idea Vaults

A journal or notebook is a safe, pressure-free place to dump random thoughts, record dreams, scribble funny dialogue,I nvent characters, and so much more! You could also describe places that you've seen or imagined, or conversations that you've overheard on the bus. The possibilities are endless.

Unlike assignments or polished writing, your notebook is just for you. No rules. No grammar checks. Just raw creativity.

Try this:

• Write one sentence a day.

• Describe something weird you saw.

• List 5 things that made you feel something.

• Give yourself permission to be messy.

Your brain is constantly generating stories—you just need a net to catch them. That net is your notebook. It’s a creative super tool that can actually make you a better writer, thinker, and feeler.

The reason keeping a diary is effective in writing is because those who keep it ​​start to observe more—what people say, how they move, how a sunset feels. You start living with a writer’s awareness. It also gives you motivation to just write a little bit everyday, which will start to build a habit and self-discipline.

Homework Challenge

Start a “Thought Catcher” notebook. For one week, write down:

• 1 strange or funny thought you had

• 1 dream or daydream

• 1 observation about the world

At the end of the week, pick your favorite and turn it into a story or poem!

Use Visual Points

Inspiration your eyes can see!

A single image can unlock a whole world. Try scrolling through Pinterest, flipping through a magazine, or revisiting old vacation photos. Look for mood, color, setting, or a moment frozen in time.

Ask:

• Who lives here?

• What just happened?

• What’s about to go wrong?
  

Mind Maps:

Write a word in the center (like “storm” or “secrets”) then branch out with related ideas. Build a web of possibilities. Follow each idea with sub-ideas, questions, or emotions. Don’t censor yourself. One word can become five paths. One character can reveal a twist, then a setting, then a motive.

Let it be nonlinear.

Mind maps don’t need to follow a structure. Connect lines across ideas, draw arrows, color-code different story elements (e.g., red for plot, blue for character, green for world-building).

 

Remember: brainstorming isn’t about being right. It’s about being weird until something clicks. So be weird. Be bold. And maybe keep snacks nearby — creativity gets hungry.