As a professional ghostwriter and book coach, I’ve helped plenty of new writers cultivate book ideas that they’re excited to write, and that will resonate with readers.
This post will explain what makes a great book idea, and I’ll give you 15 strategies for unearthing ideas when you’re feeling stumped.
Now then — are you ready to get kick writer’s block to the curb and get your book going?
Let’s get started.
The Core Principles of Great Book Ideas
At the heart of every book lies a core concept that either speaks to readers or flops.
To truly resonate, a good book idea should offer one or more of the following characteristics:
- Relatability: Even in the most fantastical settings, the emotions, dilemmas, and decisions faced by characters should mirror real-world situations. This is what allows readers to see themselves in the story, and bond them to the narrative.
- Novelty: Familiar tropes can be comforting, but a fresh spin or a new perspective on a known theme can captivate the audience.
- Depth: Surface-level plots can entertain, but stories that provide layers of meaning or interpretation stand the test of time.
- Emotional Connection: Books that tug at heartstrings or evoke strong emotions, whether it’s joy, sorrow, anger, or love, become memorable.
- Unanswered Questions: A concept that poses questions, challenges norms, or offers a mystery can be incredibly alluring.
- Reflecting the Zeitgeist: Some books capture the essence of their time, reflecting societal concerns, joys, or struggles.
- Universal Themes: Ideas that traverse cultures, age groups, and eras have a timeless appeal. Themes of love, betrayal, hope, loss, and triumph have been central to storytelling across generations and continents.
Understanding what makes a book idea truly impactful can be the difference between your reader tossing your book to the side after a few pages, or reading till the end and then telling all their friends.
By focusing on resonance, depth, and emotional connection, you can craft stories that not only captivate but stick with the reader for a lifetime.
15 Creativity-Boosting Strategies to Uncover Compelling Book Ideas
Every writer, seasoned or amateur, hits a wall at some point when coming up with their next groundbreaking book idea. And although scaling that wall isn’t going to be easy, the following strategies will throw you a rope and have you climbing in no time.
1. Drawing from Personal Experiences
Stories rooted in personal experiences convey an authenticity that’s hard to replicate. The vulnerability and raw emotion from these stories draw readers into their depths, making them relatable and memorable.
- Personal stories and their transformative power: Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner draws heavily from the author’s own experiences and cultural background, offering readers a deeply moving tale of redemption and familial love.
- Embracing challenges, lessons, and pivotal life moments: J.R.R. Tolkien’s experience in World War I, for example, played a role in shaping the epic battles and dark themes of The Lord of the Rings.
- The universal appeal of raw, personal narratives: Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings taps into universal themes of race, identity, and resilience, all while stemming from her personal history.
2. Incorporating The “What If?” Method
Speculative thinking has always been the driving force behind many literary masterpieces. By posing a simple “what if?” question, a cascade of narrative possibilities arises.
- Pondering the boundaries of human creation: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein emerged from the question, “What if a man could animate the inanimate?”
- Dystopian futures and genetics: Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World considered, “What if society was structured by genetic engineering and conditioning?”
3. Reconstructing History
World history, with its endless stories of heroism, betrayal, love, and intrigue, can be a goldmine for authors.
By adding a touch of imagination, you can give these stories a fresh, compelling spin.
- Bringing a new perspective to old events: Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl presents the infamous Anne Boleyn’s tale through the eyes of her lesser-known sister, Mary.
- The power of research and imaginative expansion: Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom series, rooted in the Viking Age’s historical events, shines because of Cornwell’s imaginative storytelling.
4. Borrowing from Modern Culture
Our world is constantly changing, so it’s important for your book ideas to stay relevant.
Using contemporary events as a foundation not only gives a narrative immediacy but also ensures resonance with today’s readers.
- Drawing inspiration from current events, trends, and societal shifts: Dave Eggers’ The Circle taps into the anxieties of living in a digital, always-online world, emphasizing the implications of unchecked technological advancements.
- Crafting stories that resonate with the contemporary audience: Take J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy for instance. By diving deep into the modern Rust Belt America, it highlights the challenges and intricacies of contemporary socio-economic landscapes, allowing readers to connect with the narrative.
5. Learning from “Failed” Ideas
Not every idea, no matter how promising at its inception, translates into a bestseller. However, missteps and initial failures are not wasted efforts — they’re learning experiences that can lead to more refined, compelling stories.
- Tweaking and refining: Making a comeback with a stronger narrative: Kathryn Stockett’s The Help received 60 rejections before getting published. These rejections served as stepping stones, leading to a book that resonated deeply.
- Realizing the potential in side stories: Side characters or subplots that get positive feedback can be fleshed out into their own narratives. For instance, Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows was a spin-off from her Grisha trilogy, focusing on side characters and a heist plot that readers loved.
- Using feedback to reshape the narrative: F. Scott Fitzgerald was initially told The Great Gatsby was too vague and lacked emotion. He took this critique to heart and made revisions, leading to the iconic novel we know today.
6. Adapting from Other Mediums
Literature doesn’t exist in isolation. The broader world of arts — paintings, photographs, music, and even cinema — can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for writers.
- Books inspired by art, photography, and even music: Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring imagines the story behind Vermeer’s iconic painting. Similarly, a poignant photograph or a stirring musical piece can birth an entire novel.
- The cross-pollination of creativity: Embracing influences from other creative fields allows for richer, multifaceted narratives. For instance, Neil Gaiman’s novel The Ocean at the End of the Lane was partly inspired by a family event and a song by the band Fleetwood Mac.
7. Mixing Genres
Ever consider mixing genres? Diversifying book ideas can help spark your creativity and resonate with a broader readership.
- Mystery, Sci-Fi, Romance: Adapting core ideas to different literary worlds: An idea suited for a romance setting might be given a dark twist for a mystery or be expanded into a sprawling universe for a sci-fi epic.
- Importance of understanding genre conventions and reader expectations: Readers approach genres with certain expectations. Knowing these allows authors to either cater to these desires or subvert them effectively for surprising twists.
Actionable Exercises for Generating Your Own Awesome Book Ideas
Alright, so we’ve covered some sources of inspiration for your next book idea. Next, we’ll really get your creativity revved up with some actionable exercises to bring your ideas into reality.
8. Mind Mapping
Begin with a central word or theme in the middle of a page. Then, branch out with related thoughts, characters, settings, and conflicts. This visually represents how one idea can sprout many others, showing potential paths for your narrative.
9. Daily Prompt Writing
Dedicate a set amount of time every day to write. For example, you could respond to writing prompts. This can be a single word, a question, or an image. Not only does it stimulate creativity, but over time, you might find recurring themes or ideas worth exploring.
10. Dialogue Observations
Spend an afternoon in a public place, discreetly eavesdropping on conversations. The way people speak, the stories they share, and the emotions they express can be springboards for character development and storylines.
11. Photographic Inspiration
Check out photo-sharing platforms like Pinterest or Instagram. Choose an image and craft a backstory for it. Is it a haunted house? A meeting between estranged lovers? The more photos you explore, the more narratives you’ll uncover.
12. The Random Word Technique
Pick three random words from a dictionary. Try to craft a story or scene that incorporates all three. It’s a challenge, but it pushes your creativity to unexpected places.
13. Time Travel Exercise
Think about a past event in your life. Now, reimagine it set 100 years in the future. How do the surroundings change? What technology is present? This blends personal experience with speculative fiction techniques.
14. Character Interviews
Create a fictional character and conduct an “interview” with them. Ask them about their fears, dreams, and secrets. This deepens your understanding of them and often unveils potential plot points or conflicts.
15. Embrace Digital Tools
Software solutions like plot generators can give you a nudge when you’re dealing with writer’s block, or you can use structured narrative tools that offer outlines based on classic storytelling arcs.
These simple exercises will not only hone your skills but also keep the creative juices flowing, making you more likely to find that next genius book idea just around the corner.
Crafting, Refining, & Committing to Your Book Ideas
It’s fun to get inspired by your book ideas, but you have to remember you book is also a creative commitment. When you have that brilliant book idea, the true challenge lies in bringing it to life.
To translate your idea into a compelling draft, consider these steps:
- Draft without inhibition: Don’t overthink. Let the ideas flow, and get them down. The first draft isn’t about perfection but expression.
- Seek feedback early and often: Whether from a writing group, trusted friend, or editor, outside perspectives can highlight areas for refinement.
- Face rejection head-on: It’s natural to face rejection. Instead of seeing it as a setback, view it as a signpost guiding you toward improvement. Remember, even best-selling authors faced numerous rejections before hitting their stride.
- Iterate, iterate, iterate: Writing is as much about rewriting. Every revision is an opportunity to make the narrative tighter, characters richer, and plot more gripping.
- Maintain your belief: In those moments of doubt, remember why you started. Every story is worth telling, and yours is no exception.
Bring Your Book Idea to Life (& Change Lives)
Hopefully reading this post has already got you churning with book ideas.
And if you’re still stuck, keep at it.
Sometimes, your book idea is hidden deep within your consciousness, and it takes a while to dig it out.
But trust me, it’s there.
So keep showing up at your computer, brainstorming and completing some of these exercises.
Soon, the perfect book idea will surface, and you’ll be ready to bring it to life!
