Every great book starts with a spark — but sometimes, that spark can feel maddeningly out of reach. Whether you’re a new writer or a seasoned author between projects, coming up with fresh, exciting ideas can be one of the most frustrating parts of the creative process.

The good news? Story ideas are everywhere. Seriously. You just have to train yourself to notice them — even (or especially) in unexpected places.

Here are some creative and unusual ways to jumpstart your brainstorming and find your next great book idea:

Dreams can be weird, surreal, and fragmented — which makes them a goldmine for story inspiration. Keep a notebook or a note app by your bed and jot down whatever you remember as soon as you wake up. Maybe that creepy abandoned amusement park you visited in your sleep becomes the setting for a thriller. Or that bizarre interaction with a talking dog becomes the beginning of a magical middle-grade novel. Don’t question it. Just write it down.

Sometimes, the best ideas are rooted in real life. Think back to your childhood, your awkward teenage years, your biggest heartbreak, or your proudest moment. What emotions stand out? What if you fictionalized that experience and turned it into something bigger? The truth — even when exaggerated — is often stranger than fiction.

Next time you’re in a coffee shop, grocery store, or airport, listen to the snippets of conversation around you. A single line — “And then she just vanished with the ring” — could spark an entire mystery novel. People say the most interesting things when they don’t know you’re listening (just don’t be creepy about it).

Writing prompts are a classic tool for a reason, but try adding your own twist. Take a basic prompt and subvert the expected. For example, if the prompt is “a character finds a mysterious key,” ask yourself: What if the key unlocks something useless? What if it unlocks a person instead of a door? What if it doesn’t unlock anything, but everyone believes it does?

There’s no single “right” way to come up with a story idea. The key is to stay curious, stay open, and let yourself explore without pressure. Don’t wait for inspiration to hit you like lightning — go out and chase it, even if it means wandering through your own dreams or laughing at an old inside joke. Your next book idea might already be waiting.