If you’re like me you probably find that your best story ideas come when you least expect them, and that they hardly come at all when you go looking for them. Story is not something that can be constructed like a bunch of Lincoln logs — it starts with each screenwriter differently, but it usually flows from both the mind and heart making it personal, unique, and important to the screenwriter.

New screenwriters often ask me where ideas come from, so I thought I’d create a quick reference list — not of how to find ideas, but where to start … or, how to get into the mode so that ideas will flow and form naturally.

These are just ideas — every screenwriter is different, so while one starting point will work for one screenwriter, it probably won’t work for the next.

1. Write

While this might seem over-simplified, I find it to be true. Whether you outline, use brainstorm bubbles, scribble, or write in another form, such as short story, writing inspires more writing. I’ve written about this before — learn more about this by checking out how Writer’s Block is Just a Creative Excuse Not to Write.

2. Read

Get around to reading a few books you’ve been wanting to read. Whether it’s the beginning of the epic saga, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Book 1), the chilling crime thriller, The Poet: A Novel, or the fantastical journey through the world of story itself and the many worlds between making up what we know as the fiction section in The Eyre Affair: A Thursday Next Novel. Reading other stories already published will inspire new thoughts, new ideas, and perhaps even new characters, themes, and stories all together.

3. Take a shower or a bath

I’m able to relax and think clearly while in the shower, which is the state of mind I’m usually in when most of my inspiration tends to strike. Relaxation and meditation is extremely important when opening up to fresh ideas because it allows your mind to wonder without distraction or impact from external sources of inspiration as with a published book.

4. Look at art

This won’t work for everyone, but try opening your mind to new ideas by looking at all forms of art. Whether it’s a sculpture, oil painting, photograph, or live art, consider letting external inspiration soak in and affect your emotions, your thoughts, and your point of view. You can do this by going to a museum or picking up a book.

5. Write poetry

This might fall in with the first point, but consider poetry specifically when opening up to new ideas if you’re interested in discovering your voice, the themes you’re interested in, and your point of view regarding those themes. Poetry tends to me deeply emotional — even for a beginner — so this should allow you to discover what you’re really thinking about, what you really care about, and other ideas that can lead to the creation of your next screenplay or story.

6. Watch a silent film

This will force you to pay attention to what exactly is being said in the story and how it is supposed to effect the audience and most importantly, how it effects you as a modern day audience. Often times silent films delivered a message that doesn’t quite ring true with today’s audiences — watch a few of these films and observe which themes they explore, how it effects you, whether they can be explored with a modern day audience today, and what you would do if you were to take on the story and theme.

7. Picture books

Observe the simplicity in picture books and how they explore theme in just a few pages. Often times these themes are large enough to explore in a full-length screenplay due to their universal nature and lack of depth — find a picture book in your kids’ collection, your own collection, or in the bookstore that you can identify and connect with and figure out why.

8. Talk with other screenwriters

This is often one of the most overlooked ways to come up with new ideas. Simply get together with a screenwriting friend, join a screenwriting group, or participate in the screenwriting conversation found on blogs. Talking with another screenwriter is often inspiring, encouraging, and enlightening, so you should make it a regular habit if possible.

9. Go to seminars

Another great place to find ample screenwriting conversation is story and screenplay seminars. These are great because you can score more than just screenwriting swag, including valuable contacts, open doors, invitations, and even ideas.

10. School

While at UCLA I experienced one of the most ample flows of inspiration as a writer. Not only are you required to write in order to pass the class, but you’re also required to talk about your ideas, share your points of view, and explain what your motives are all about. This in turn requires that you listen to the entire class talk about their screenplay ideas, screenwriting problems, and other inspiring topics.

Use these points as a start place for finding ideas. Just as with true love, it’s often hardest to actually find what you’re looking for when you’re looking for it. Try not to think about it while exploring any of these points above and it’ll be hard not to come up with ideas.