Have you ever had one of those moments when you realize that you need to write a new article, but you don’t even know where to begin?
The deadline draws closer every minute as your mind continuously draws blank. What should I write about? Do I even have anything important to say?
How can I point my readers to Christ if He hasn’t placed a new message on my heart?
A lack of inspiration can feel incredibly discouraging to the nonfiction writer, especially under the pressure of consistent blog posts and attempts at publication. Inspiration feels like the fuel that keeps your words flowing, and without it, you have no purpose in your paragraphs.
So what if I told you that inspiration lies everywhere, if you only know where to look?
Know Your Niche
Before you go about seeking inspiration, you should choose your focus for your nonfiction writing. Yes, at times you will want to write a piece that strays from the niche (Part of the fun of writing is being able to write whatever you want, after all), but having a niche will make you more appealing to an audience and platform.
A niche may seem like a box that will shut out all your ideas, but it can actually foster inspiration. When you have a focus in mind, you will have an easier time thinking of new topics that align with that focus. Without a focus, it’s like you’re searching for that one good idea in a giant department store full of them–You don’t even know where to begin looking. A focus will narrow down your search into one section of that department store. Suddenly finding an idea will feel less overwhelming.
But you may be wondering, How am I supposed to find my niche? A great place to start is by thinking of what topics you typically include in your writing, as well as your favorite genre. You want your niche to be specific to you and defined by the types of writing that you enjoy.
You should also consider the specific target audience that you are trying to reach. This audience should consist of the people who will enjoy your work, resonate with it, or be able to take something valuable away from its advice. Your niche should always aim to reach your target audience. This is also a plus because, when you’re at a loss for inspiration, you can ask yourself, What would my primary group of readers like to see from me? From here, you can find your next article subject.
Another important factor in finding your niche involves your mission. All writers have a purpose behind why they write in the first place, whether they’re aware of it or not. Maybe you want to inspire your readers, make them feel seen, or help them navigate their way through a certain area. Once you’re able to identify your reason for writing, you’ll have a better idea of your specific focus.
How to Find Short-Term Inspiration
When you’re at a loss for nonfiction inspiration, wouldn’t it be helpful to have a strategy so you can keep moving forward?
Emilie A wrote another blog post for finding inspiration to write fiction, and some of her advice can apply to nonfiction writers as well.
But as a nonfiction writer myself, there are a few specific places where I always go when I need an idea for my next subject.
Prayer
As writers, especially ones who write Christian nonfiction, we must never underestimate the power of prayer, nor the importance of it. When you pray, you align your heart with God. And sometimes, He’ll even place that message on your heart. Sometimes, He’ll give you guidance for your next steps.
And other times, you may not instantly walk away with so much clarity, but prayer always puts your heart and soul into the right place–a place of careful listening, waiting to see what inspiration will come next.
Your Own Life
Sharing stories from your personal life helps your readers feel a connection. Storytelling resonates with the human heart, and including stories from your own life can help increase your credibility about a subject, as well as foster a relationship with the reader.
When you look at your own life and its many little stories, you can find a new topic to write about. How did your friend’s words encourage you last week? What awkward moment made you realize your own self-consciousness? Has God revealed Himself to you in the simple things, or brought you out of the hardest seasons?
Readers and Peers
If you know other people who could help you come up with ideas, you could always ask them to help you brainstorm.
In your email list, you could ask your subscribers what topics they would specifically like to see in your writing. They’ll not only provide you with more ideas, but they’ll appreciate the opportunity to have a say in your writing, and that could increase engagement.
If you know other writers or have a writing community, you could find a brainstorming partner in one of your peers. Try bouncing ideas off each other, and you could both walk away with something new to write about. Maybe you’ll even come back with a collaboration idea.
Research
When you find a general topic idea, a helpful way to find more information–as well as inspiration–is through research. You can search the library or internet to see what reputable, knowledgeable writers have already written, and let their ideas fuel your own creativity.
Remember that research is especially important when you choose to write about a subject considered challenging, controversial, or complex. If you do not have personal experience or prior knowledge in the subject field, research thoroughly. You want to make sure to get your facts straight.
Of course, you should choose reliable sources. Definitely approach the research process with organization, as this will make the writing process easier in the long run. Start with an outline so you know what specifically you should research. Keep a notebook on hand, and when you find helpful sources, take notes on them. You can even print out certain articles to highlight the important parts. Make sure to bookmark all your sources in your browser or book so you don’t lose them later, or write URLs or page numbers on notecards. Organize your information (e.g. draw a mind map, make folders in your computer bookmarks) if your project is research-heavy.
Many times, the research process itself will leave you with more ideas to include in your article.
Using Others’ Work For Inspiration
Oftentimes you will find inspiration from the work of other people. Maybe that book you just finished left you with many thoughts, or your favorite blog’s latest article pointed out something you had never considered. Perhaps last Sunday’s sermon stirred your heart, or that new song on the radio reminded you of your own struggles.
The ideas that other people out there have can inspire you in endless ways. But you may ask, shouldn’t my writing have my own ideas?
If someone else’s idea inspires mine, is it still my idea?
And this is where the challenge comes in. You can, and will, find inspiration from others. Oftentimes without even intentionally looking for inspiration, someone else’s words will light something in your heart that you want to let shine.
Arguably, all ideas stem from previous ideas, intentionally or not. All words stem from previous words, intentionally or not. It’s how inspiration works–It builds from what has already been built.
In today’s time, is there anything new that can be said?
First, remember that nobody else in the world is quite like you. Nobody else has your same experiences, your same passions, your same opinions and quirks and personality.
For this reason alone, you can write something original.
Will the concepts, ideas, and arguments intertwine with those of other writers? Yes. But will it still have its own fresh spin? Yes.
Do this by honing in on your personal style. Say it in your own voice. Come up with your own ideas, even if you borrow from those of other creators.
Don’t directly copy someone’s ideas, but let them enhance your view of life and faith. You can also draw inspiration from others’ work more indirectly. Take the subject of a sermon and write about that subject from a completely different perspective, with your own ideas. Find a topic briefly addressed in someone’s book and go into it in more depth. Look at a fiction story’s message and write an article inspired by that message.
Borrowing ideas from other creators, and using others’ work for inspiration, can easily present the concern of plagiarism. Sometimes it becomes unclear when to give credit and when that is unnecessary. If a fact is common knowledge or someone’s work only vaguely inspires yours, credit may not be needed. But taking someone’s idea, even in a paraphrase, demands credit.
College papers generally require APA citations, but for a blog post, citations can be more informal. A simple contextual link or footnote will do.
After doing research, you may accidentally plagiarize one of the sources you read by forgetting to give credit or mistakenly thinking the words are your own. A plagiarism checker, such as the one Grammarly offers, can prevent accidental plagiarism (and you can have the bonus benefit of your grammar and spelling checked at the same time).
The Bible
When we write Christian nonfiction, we must also never underestimate the significance of Scripture. Tying your writing back to God’s Word is important because it essentially lays out the foundations of the Christian faith and theology.
The Bible can provide you with accuracy in your words and credibility to your readers, and it can also provide you with inspiration. Verses and passages can pique your interest, encouraging you to delve deeper into a new subject.
How to Stay Continually Inspired
Instead of constantly letting your inspiration well run dry (and having to desperately hunt for more inspiration as a result), you can develop certain habits to always keep that well full.
Keep A Notebook
Dedicate a notebook page (or a phone note or sheet of paper) to writing down ideas. Whenever you find something inspiring, write it down here so you won’t forget it. Even if something just briefly captures your interest, or your brain goes down a random tangent on a long car ride, write it down–You never know how that could be used in your writing later.
You can also fill this page with song lyrics, quotes, and Scripture references that you find inspirational. Turn here whenever you need fresh ideas, or even a reminder of why you write.
Additionally, you can make this page into a blog plan–A list of article ideas and a date when you plan to have them published. If you prefer organization and planning, it may be helpful to have a long view of your writing topics.
Avoid Burnout
When you become tired or stressed, inspiration will become harder to find as a result. Burnout can be damaging for a writer, and when you face it, the best way to find inspiration again is to take a break. Let yourself enjoy life and see the world with fresh eyes.
To avoid burnout in the first place, pace yourself. Take breaks when you need them, and fall into a routine that offers time to rest. For example, you could allow yourself to take a day each week off from writing altogether.
If you worry that you are on the edge of burnout, perhaps make some changes to your schedule. For instance, instead of posting on your blog every week, consider posting every other week. Making these changes will help you continue to produce high-quality work on a consistent basis.
Read Frequently
One of the best ways to find inspiration about what to write is to read other writing. Reading quality pieces will give you an example for how to make your own style better. When you’re lacking motivation to write, reading will remind you that words matter and can make a difference. Read consistently to allow your creative well to get a refill before it runs dry.
Place Yourself In Inspiring Environments
Intentionally and consistently go places where you are more likely to find inspiration. Is that being in the beauty of nature? Having meaningful conversations at Bible study? Doing your favorite activity, perhaps?
The most important part about finding inspiration is being able to see the world in a different way. In order to do that, you must first take that step of getting out into the world.
You never know what could light the creative spark. When all else fails, take a step outside. The world is waiting for you, and so is inspiration.
The Next Time You Need Inspiration…
Even if you implement the habits to stay continually inspired, you will still run into moments when you have no idea what to write. And that’s okay! This is a struggle that all writers face–It’s just a part of the process.
But the moments that you draw blank shouldn’t prevent you from moving forward in your writing journey. Now, you know how to tackle the struggle head-on, and you can develop a strategy to face it confidently and effectively.
Oftentimes, it’s best to go back to the basics. Remember why you write in the first place, consider what you enjoy writing, and take a look through those places that are full of short-term inspiration sparks.
Before you know it, you’ll have everything you need to go back to the writing battlefield and craft your next-best article.
And if you ever find yourself struggling to get those words down on the page, download the packet below for more tips for staying motivated.
