Your screen is still blank as the deadline approaches. How do you finally get meaningful words on the page?
Need an Idea What to Write
Some successful writers build entire careers crafting sequels around a single set of characters. The groundwork is already laid. Established personalities simply need a nudge toward a new plot.
Other fiction writers create fresh environments and new casts each time. Without an outline, however, a computer screen becomes a blank canvas requiring much more mental energy.
If you’re a freelance writer for a diverse audience, like ClinicalNovellas, it’s challenging to move through multiple genres. When commissioning freelancers, I’ve provided detailed outlines, plots, subplots, and character arcs.
The results are usually good. But when I take the training wheels off and ask them to come up with something on their own, things can veer sideways.
Start With a Good Idea
A strong fiction story engages the reader from the beginning. Every character has a purpose, every action is a clue. Like real people, characters carry arcs—motivations behind their decisions, and reactions to the consequences.
The plot should feel relatable, even if the setting is distant, historical, or futuristic. A well-written story prompts readers to ask, “What would I do in that situation?”
Your goal is to stir a range of emotions—from joy to anxious anticipation, from empathy to anger. Pacing should shift naturally between slow scaffolding and rapid action.
Even a slow-burn story must draw readers in early. You can accomplish this in several ways:
- Begin with an action scene, then describe what led to it.
- Surprise the reader with an event before revealing the motivation.
- Describe a character one way, while hinting that something is amiss.
There are many more techniques. Your choice depends on the genre, tone, and audience.
Craft Something Interesting
Perhaps these methods aren’t new to you. You might still be staring at a white screen. If so, draw from your experiences. Although there are brilliant young authors, older writers often possess decades of life to unpack.
Read widely. Watch films outside your comfort zone. Have you seen every Academy Award–winning movie? Have you followed the work of top actors?
If all your entertainment stays within a single genre, everything you write may begin to resemble Manga or any other narrow lane.
Talk to people about their lives. What adversities have they experienced? How did they overcome them? What are your fears (besides not coming up with a story) and motivations? What real-world moments have annoyed you, moved you, or triggered a sharp emotional response?
Pin these ideas as seeds for future scenes, character traits, or even full story concepts. I often pin several stories the moment a spark ignites.
They incubate until all the pieces connect, and I have time to craft the narrative.
Bring Stories to Life
One controversial technique is gaining popularity: using AI. Some writers vow never to use it; others rely too heavily on it.
I won’t sway you either way. But AI can be a helpful brainstorming tool for those who use it with restraint. With frequent use, it can learn your “voice” and help you push past stubborn blocks.
For more inspiration, try writing prompts—one- or two-sentence sparks meant to ignite creativity. If you can’t generate them yourself, resources like Bryn Donovan’s resources or Reedsy (free subscription required) can help.
If you’re doubting whether you’re a “real writer” after a dry spell, take heart. Do what painters, musicians, and other creative professionals do: reflect on your past accomplishments, then strive to build something that meets, or exceeds, your personal standard of excellence.
