Today I’d like to explore not only one of the oldest questions aspiring writers have been asking since the dawn of writing, but the answer as well. The reason why aspiring writers are often stuck on this question is because the answer is over simplified, so I’d also like to look into a few ways aspiring writers can embrace the answer and move beyond the question.

So, where do ideas come from?

Ideas are suggested by life.

This version of the answer is usually unsatisfying to aspiring writers not only because of how over simplified it is, but because it’s also not the question they meant to ask.

Usually what writers are after when asking where ideas come from is not actually “where,” but rather “how” … writers want to know how to find an idea and turn it into a complete project.

Okay, so how do writers find an idea and turn it into a complete project?

Again, ideas are suggested by life, so the best way to find an idea is to live life … explore and see what you encounter along your journey … doing so will open your mind to what it’s all about, what people are like, and what you think about the world. With this experience, you’ll be able to flesh out your ideas with meaning that speaks to people.

Consider these four steps:

1. Live life

I can’t quite remember where I read or heard it, but there’s a famous story about a screenwriter who spoke to a class of aspiring screenwriters currently in their freshman year at college, and told them that studying screenwriting was a waste of time at their age, and that they should be studying philosophy, religion, and other subjects that might help shape their views as people … not exactly what the screenwriting professor was hoping for I imagine, but a sound piece of advice no less.

Gather as much experience as possible – no matter you’re age. Your experience is what will fuel your ability to interpret your perspective and thoughts regarding anything and everything into a written project.

2. Free your mind and imagine

This is perhaps one of the most important aspects of finding ideas. Until you can let your mind go and imagine, you’re ideas will most likely be forced into place … that is, you’ll have a hard time trying to find that perfect idea fit for the movie you want to write.

Stop worrying about the technical aspects of screenwriting or filmmaking and just imagine … dream about those distant worlds you’d like to visit, those characters you’ve been seeing here and there, and those epic stories you’ve been longing to read. Let go and embrace your imagination.

You’ll find that the more open and willing you are to using your imagination, the more often you’ll be able to use it; the more you use it, the more ideas you’ll happen upon.

3. Create the story

Once you’ve stumbled across an exciting new idea and opened your imagination to what you mind find in the world of your new idea, it’s time to create the story. The way you do this is simply continue to imagine. The more you think about your idea, what characters live inside it, where it all takes place, and what it all might be about, the closer you’ll get to finding the story within your idea.

You shouldn’t have to force it. Let the story come naturally and interpret into words the best to your ability – this takes practice and time, so don’t worry about getting it perfect because it most likely won’t be in your eyes … it’s the artist’s curse to feel like you could have done better, and it’s also what keeps artists going.

4. Adapt it for the screen

Once you have a handle on your story, interpret what you’ve imagined and noted thus far and adapt it into a screenplay. This is where you need to worry about technical aspects regarding the screenwriting format and medium as a whole.

All in all, I think it comes down to the individual writer and what they find works best for them … there is no formula to follow in art. The four points above are merely guidelines regarding how one might go about finding an idea and turning it into a completed project; chances are you’ll have your own unique way of finding ideas and seeing them through all the way to FADE OUT.

If all else fails and you’re still stuck without any ideas, try something different in your life; Fly a kite, watch the sunset and think about life; stop and admire the small things in life; drive with no music; analyze something … anything.

There are no magical keys to finding ideas; there are only magical doors … and it’s your job as a writer to imagine your way into them.