Conceiving the right book idea can be a serious challenge regardless of how experienced you are as a writer. Whether you are a seasoned author or a novice writer ready for a new writing project, finding the inspiration you need to commit to an endeavor as arduous as writing a book can be incredibly difficult. I firmly believe that the best book ideas must come from within.
Good Book Ideas to Write About
All the best books start as great ideas. However, don’t just wait for a fantastic idea to strike before you start writing. Sure, some writers can pluck spontaneous epiphanies out of thin air – but for the rest of us mortals, the process begins with writing about anything and building on that idea along the way. To get you started (because starting is the most important thing), here are 30 good story ideas to write about! If you want to use them, go ahead. You have our permission.
- Adapt a story from real-life happenings
You can get compelling plot ideas by reading the news, historical texts, or watching documentaries. Thinking more broadly, you can also source inspiration from a podcast, poem, or self-help book.
- Write about a moment in your life
Many authors begin their writing process by ruminating on significant events in their own lives. You can do the same.
- Create characters based on people you know
You can mine the traits of a best friend, family member, or co-worker as part of a great book idea. So, the next time you are around people you know very well, jot down a few observations about their behavior and see if it prompts any good story ideas.
- Compile your family history
Who in your family has a story that needs to be told? How did you and your family come to be how you are? A family history book is a perfect way to tell your story.
- Narrate the challenges you are facing
Telling stories about how you struggle and overcome challenges can help other people feel less alone. Think about goals and obstacles in your personal, professional, and creative life and how you approached them.
- Explore your hometown history
You can highlight the famous people that put up the town on the map or include fun facts about the local landmarks and inside tips for places you love.
- Draw attention to a meaningful cause
Have you done any volunteer work that deepened your understanding of perspective? Do you have stories of how your organization changed lives and made a difference? Get the word out!
- Talk about special events
Maybe you have been to 30 Pearl Jam concerts and have the set list and memory for each one. You may have attended a rally or conference that inspired you.
- Try an experiment
Do something for 60 or 90 days and document your experience
- Reveal your biggest failure
What did you learn? How can you help others deal with fear, failure, or recovery and be resilient?
- Highlight your biggest success
How did you set the goal? What led to your achievements, and who helped you along the way?
- Create an interview book
You can compile interviews with inspiring individuals in your life, community, or professional field. Organize the book around a specific theme or turn the conversations into a series of essays that change the way people think.
- Expand the plot of short stories
Many esteemed authors started their careers writing short stories and eventually graduated to novels.
- Adapt a writing prompt
You can subscribe to online prompt sites to get nuggets of inspiration and creative juices flowing.
- Use professional writing services
Online custom essay writing services can get you started in your writing career. Such companies as CustomWritings have professional academic writers who can be your silver-haired authority figures in generating good story ideas. They are giants in all the writing genres and can help you revitalize common writing tropes.
- Investigate and write about historical events
Whether you’re writing history or fiction set in historical background, there is always a demand for tales told from a new perspective.
- Document interaction with a stranger
This unique book idea allows you to create some exciting fictional work.
- Write about your biggest regret
Addressing your biggest regrets allows you to move forward and is a compelling book idea that people can identify with on a deep level.
- Write the book you wish already existed
Are there any types of books you wish had been available yet haven’t existed? Find obvious gaps and share your knowledge.
- Take a spontaneous trip and write about it
Another way to gain new experiences is through travel. You can create a book sharing your experiences and lessons you have learned, no matter how modest your trip is.
Book Topic Ideas to Write About
Getting inspiration through writing topics and prompts is one way to find your next story idea. You can consider the following topics in your journey to find book ideas you can write about.
- Life hacks
Whether you’re talking about book marketing or interior design, change happens. Maybe you have picked up some tricks on growing heirloom tomatoes year-round. You can write a book about culinary window gardening for apartment dwellers.
- How to make life better
A hybrid of how-to and self-help, this book topic can help readers improve their lives in some measurable ways.
- How to become something
What do you want to become? Have you become something you weren’t before? This book idea can document how people can add value to their lives.
- One year from today
This book topic is a very positive form of introspection. It enables you to look closely at your current priorities and understand what’s essential at the moment.
- The journey
Who hasn’t been longing to get to a destination only to be delayed by something? This can be an exciting plot and a good story idea to write about.
- Political and cultural trends
This kind of book topic takes a knack for research. So, use your authority as a demonstrated expert to tell it like it is.
- Cookbook
Do your friends and family love gathering around your table to taste your culinary creations? Share your favorite recipes.
- Love letters
Making love letters public is not for everyone – but if you and your beloved agree to the project, you just might find yourself with a one-of-a-kind collaboration featuring stories, poems, and reflections
- A series of blog posts
If you’ve already taken the time to compose daily or weekly articles, you’re well on your way. Look for a common thread or topic running throughout, organize your posts into chapters and take your stories to the next level – in print!
- Mistakes memoir
Who doesn’t love to read harrowing accounts of other people’s embarrassing mistakes? Think of awkward moments and turn them into entertaining stories for friends and family.
Final Thoughts
Creativity comes from all sources, but if you’re setting out to write a book, these book ideas to write about help you come up with a story that is genuinely worth writing. Now that you’ve found some inspiration to help you land on the right book idea, I want to challenge you to actually start writing that book. Today!
