The Surprising Ways Writers of Classic Literature (Including Emily Brontë) Found Writing Inspiration
- Kristina Jilly
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 5
I recently stumbled into a delightful exhibition at the State Library of Victoria while I was back in Australia. It’s a wide-ranging look at the very different—and occasionally odd—ways artists and writers across cultures and eras have found to spark creativity.
5 Surprising Ways to Ignite Your Creativity
Here are just five surprising methods that can help stoke the fires of creativity, along with some notable writers who embraced them.
1. The State Between Sleep and Consciousness
Emily Brontë, the poet and author of Wuthering Heights, was an insomniac. Her haunted night visions were said to have influenced her work profoundly.
Franz Kafka’s insomnia and anxiety contributed to the surreal, nightmare-like quality of his writing, especially in his novel, The Metamorphosis.
2. Inspired by Dreams or Tapping into Your Subconscious
Automatic writing, defined by the Surrealists, involves letting thoughts flow freely without moral or social constraints.
Virginia Woolf utilized this technique, breaking traditional narrative structures. You can see this in her novel, Mrs Dalloway.
William S. Burroughs believed his subconscious was overtaken by another entity while writing Naked Lunch.
3. Letting Those on “The Other Side” Guide Your Writing
Charles Dickens’ printer published a completed version of one of his stories years after his death. He claimed to have channeled Dickens’ spirit to do so.
Yeats used automatic writing as a "portal to the world of spirits." His wife, Georgie Hyde-Lees, was a talented medium who helped channel material for his book, A Vision.
4. Using Divination Cards for Ideas and Character Arcs
Sylvia Plath turned to tarot cards for creative inspiration and psychological exploration.
Stephen King has incorporated them as a narrative device into his novels.
Margaret Atwood described tarot cards as ideal prompts for brainstorming, calling them a “bingo cage” of random ideas.
5. The Power of Routine
Okay, so no surprises with this one!
The other methods are all well and good for trying something different, but there’s really no substitute for setting a specific time each day—no matter if it’s just 30 minutes—when you sit down to create.
Routine is preferable to waiting for the muse to show up. Take action, and motivation will follow!
The Importance of Storytelling
Storytelling is a powerful tool. It allows us to connect with others and share our experiences. Whether you're writing a screenplay, a novel, or short-form content for social media, the way you tell your story matters.
Incorporating techniques like those mentioned above can enhance your storytelling skills. By exploring different methods, you can find what resonates with you and your unique voice.
Story Inkubator was founded by writer, scriptwriter, and teacher Kristina Jilly, an Australian living in Central Europe. She has written for HBO Europe and RTL Television. With an M.A. in Screenwriting, Kristina teaches at the University of Applied Sciences in Upper Austria. She also writes online content about the art of storytelling and topics that inspire creativity.
Subscribe to Story Inkubator for monthly storytelling tips delivered to your inbox.
If you’re interested in learning more about our TV writing courses or creative writing workshops, check out our courses here.
Comments