10 Things That Inspire My Creative Writing Process

Everyone gets into a rut at times, so it's always handy to have some go-to activities to hand that are guaranteed to inspire and offer a fresh perspective.

This is a personal list of the things that inspired me over the last year and gave my creative writing a boost.

Ideas to Get Your Creative Writing Back on Track

1. Get outside

Lake Almsee in Upper Austria

Getting outside is a good excuse to get away from the screens and look for inspiration in the real world.

I've been fortunate enough to be residing in Austria for the past three years. There's no doubt about it, it's a beautiful place–even in winter, even when it’s cold, and even when I don’t feel like going outside.

2. Local idiosyncrasies

Winter means Ball Season in Austria

What makes your hometown or current location unique? Exploring special events, rituals and habits of a location and embedding that into a project in some way can really add depth and authenticity to your writing.

Balls (the dancing kind!) in February are a big part of life in Austria. Every school has one to mark the last year of high school–sort of like prom–but parents also attend. I'm going to have to cook up an Austrian-based series where a ball becomes a major plot point.

3. Trains

I spend a lot of time on intercity trains commuting in Central Europe. They are actually a great place to get some focussed writing done (and people watch).

4. Coffee

Coffee–good coffee–really does wonders for me. Find your own personal (healthier) equivalent!. Incorporate it into your writing ritual so it signals to your brain: it's time to get creative.

5. Books

One of my resolutions a couple of years ago was to read more and I’m happy to say I’ve stuck with it. You can’t be a good writer without reading widely.

6. Travel

 Always be on the look out for creative writing-story ideas when you're away from home.

A trip to Sitges, Spain opened my eyes to the concept of Bear Week (if you know, you know) and there’s a story brewing as a result in the back of my brain.

Sicily had been on my bucket-list for some time. It didn’t disappoint, apart from briefly thinking I might to die from some dodgy street-food like an off-shoot character in a White Lotus episode.

The ceramic heads you see everywhere here also hark back to a gruesome but fascinating legend concerning a woman betrayed who decapitated her lover in a jealous rage and used his head as a planter for basil 😳

Eating pesto will never be the same again.

7. Dog Walks

So many dog walks have led me to sorting out sticky story problems. It's more about the movement and excercise and less about the dog–although that does help get me walking in the first place.

The simple act of walking outside is an easy way to get the creative juices flowing.

8. Quiet Reflection

This year, instead of constantly rushing about, I sought out the occasional quiet moment to reflect, people watch, and take note of the unique local habits that can add flavour to a story.

Like these home-made pickles fermenting in the sun in Budapest.

9. Museums

Immersing yourself in art or architecture is a great alternative to reading (and scrolling). It never fails to inspire me somehow.

10. Time Spent with Friends

A favourite, very casual and laid-back local pub just outside Budapest. It's a perfect place to hang out and chew the fat with friends regardless of the season.

What brings you inspiration?

Story Inkubator was founded by writer, scriptwriter and teacher, Kristina Jilly, an Australian living in Central Europe who's written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. A teacher at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria, Kristina also writes online content about the art of storytelling and topics that inspire creativity. 

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