Harlan Coben Answers the Age-Old Question: “Where Do You Get Your Ideas?”
This first appeared in Lit Hub’s Craft of Writing newsletter—sign up here. Cultivating a writer’s mind frame means looking at the world a certain way—that is, as a source of material.
The article explains that adopting a writer’s mindset involves viewing the world as a continuous source of material for creativity. This perspective means treating everyday experiences, observations, and interactions as potential writing prompts. For example, a conversation overheard in a café or a news headline about a local event could inspire a story. The author emphasizes that this mindset is not innate but cultivated through practice and awareness. It requires actively engaging with one's surroundings rather than passively consuming them. The goal is to transform ordinary moments into narrative opportunities, ensuring that no detail is overlooked as a potential source of inspiration.
According to the article, every experience—whether mundane or extraordinary—can serve as raw material for writing. This includes personal emotions, relationships, travel, and even mundane tasks like grocery shopping. The author suggests that writers should treat their lives as a reservoir of ideas, constantly replenished by new encounters. For instance, a writer might draw from a past argument with a friend to craft a fictional conflict or use a stranger’s unusual behavior as the basis for a character. The key is to remain observant and curious, recognizing that even small details can evolve into fully developed story elements.
The article highlights curiosity as a critical trait for writers. It argues that curiosity drives the process of transforming ordinary experiences into compelling narratives. Writers are encouraged to ask questions about their surroundings, such as why a person might act in a certain way or what lies behind a seemingly simple event. This habit of inquiry helps uncover hidden layers in everyday life, which can then be woven into stories. For example, a writer might wonder about the backstory of a neighbor who always leaves for work at 7:00 AM sharp, leading to the creation of a character with a secret routine. Curiosity acts as a bridge between observation and imagination.
The article describes the process of converting writing prompts into full-fledged stories. It explains that a prompt, such as a news article or a personal anecdote, is only the starting point. The writer must then develop the idea by asking *what if* questions and exploring potential conflicts or outcomes. For example, a news story about a missing person could evolve into a mystery novel by introducing fictional characters and altering the circumstances. The author emphasizes that the transformation from prompt to story requires both creativity and discipline, as the writer must structure the idea into a coherent narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.
