Beyond Books: The Writer's Guide for Real-World Inspiration

As a writer, do you feel like you have to read as many books as humanly possible?

Sometimes, picking up a renowned, fancy novel—say, a hefty James Michener—sounds just awful, especially when all you want to do is watch some trash tv and zone out after work. It can make you feel worse when people turn reading into a humble-brag competition, tallying every book they’ve read in a given year in an attempt to out-read everyone else. 

Last year, I only read about forty books all the way through. However, I read all the time outside of books. I am also a deep thinker. Thus, I improved as a writer, making 2024 my most prolific year in terms of journaling, blogging, and tinkering around with a manuscript or two.

The benefits of reading books are numerous, don’t get me wrong: observing plot structure, picking up interesting vocabulary, and learning how written stories take shape. Most importantly, books can be enjoyable! However, reading doesn't have to be your number one priority if you don't want it to be. Language and creativity are everywhere; it only takes a keen eye to take it in and apply what you see to one’s own writing.

How do you pull from your surroundings to become a stronger writer?

Seek out new singers 

Though my aunt writes corporate content for a living, her background lies in songwriting. Because her perspective is one of a musician’s, her approach to writing is unique, bringing creativity to the table that other traditional writers on the team may lack. There’s many facets to music—rhythm, instrumental background, genre—and I don’t claim to be an expert, but I believe that lyrics, especially lyrics that paint a picture and tell a narrative, can be a wonderful source of learning for writers.

For example, I recently discovered the 26-year-old Ethel Cain, who writes lyrics in the vein of Southern Gothic authors such as Donald Ray Pollock and Flannery O’Connor. Her album Preacher’s Daughter isn’t just a collection of songs—it’s an immersive narrative into the Ethel Cain character, her life being raised in the church and ending in tragedy. She’s been a recent inspiration (verging on obsession) of mine. Seek out artists like Ethel, artists who imbed layers into their music. She’s already made me interested in Transcendentalism, spooky stories, and rereading some Donald Ray Pollock. Music, though a different artistic medium, has a stronger relationship to cut-and-dry writing than you may think. Does anyone come to mind?

Give into a little brainrot

“Brainrot” is the new term for wasting time on social media, i.e. rotting your brain. Too much scrolling is deemed a mindless activity, and most of the time, I agree—get your nose out of your phone and into the real world, you yuppie! However, I think a moderate dose of time on Facebook or Instagram can increase awareness on what’s going on in the world around you, be it political protests in D.C., a book release announcement, or your local pet shelter advertising pit bull puppies. Even digesting shallow celebrity drama could provide material in your manuscript’s burgeoning plot. Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keogan’s breakup, for example, speaks on how status and influence can wreck relationships.  

What, you may ask, might be the best use of social media for a writer? Follow bloggers and authors! My top recommendation is @esmewwang on Instagram: she pulls together beautiful photography, writing, and art in such a way that makes me want to live my life more curated, more intentional.

Be like Sherlock

Finally, sharpen your observation skills. This is something I need to work on, as I tend to maneuver public spaces lost in thought and nervously avoiding eye contact. Writers can always bolster their skills by pulling from experience in new places, with new people. 

Stand in the traditional check-out line instead of the self-operated machines next time you go to the grocery store. Start a conversation with the cashier, maybe ask an oddball question to see how’d they react. Note their appearance and body language (this is where my Sherlock comparison comes in) and see if you can draw any conclusions based on what you see and feel. 

Do NOT go through your day-to-day with blinders on. As a creative, there’s so much to learn by simply being an active participant in your environment. Be an ethical eavesdropper: listen for the fun of it.

—

What the world has to offer outside the limitations of a book can be just as helpful for authors. Or if you find something in a book that pulls you outside of it, go follow that lead. Everywhere you look has potential if you dig in to find it. Listen, interact, absorb.

Here’s what I’m up to at the moment. As I write this, I’m listening to weirdly frantic oboe music in a nearly empty Starbucks. Haven’t spent time listening to an oboe in years. Reminds me of my time in my high school wind ensemble. . . . Hmm, I remember the girl who played the oboe. She had an interesting personality about her; I wonder what draws one to choose to dedicate themselves to the oboe? They must be bold, confident—there’s only one or two in any given band, and that reedy sound can cut through like a knife. I sure wouldn't want that much power. 

Run away with your thoughts! Revert to your childhood, when you had free time to dream and wonder and build stories—that's the state a good writer likes to replicate.