Where Does an Author Get Their Ideas for a Story?

Where Do Story Ideas Come From? Here’s the Truth Behind the Inspiration.

One question I get asked more often than not as an author is

“Where do you get your ideas for a story?”

Honestly? Many of them come from an overactive imagination. But more often than not, there’s a spark—an experience, a question, or even a conversation—that births an idea. That idea grows, shifts, and evolves until it becomes the story you see on the page.

Let me share a few examples with you.

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind The Lost Princess ???????????????? ✨

When I wrote my recent release, The Lost Princess, I wanted to explore the idea of love from a non-traditional perspective. What does love look like when you’ve never experienced stability or belonging?

That concept was inspired by several coworkers I’ve known over the years—people who were adopted at a young age or, in some cases, never adopted at all. Many of them bounced from foster home to foster home, never meeting their birth parents or understanding why they were placed in the system to begin with.

That stayed with me.

In the book, Elena, the main character, forms relationships in different ways—through friendship, through community, and yes, through romantic love. But her path is deeply shaped by the wounds of her past and her longing for connection. I wanted to write about love as something chosen and cultivated, not just given.

The Urban Fantasy That Started with a Child’s Question ????????????⚡️????

I’m currently working on a new series—an urban fantasy romance (coming soon!). While I can’t give away too many details just yet, I can tell you it’s about good versus evil, featuring angels, demons, and the gray space in between.

So, where did the idea come from?

It started one Sunday after mass. I overheard a child ask their Sunday school teacher, “If God is all-powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?”

A simple, honest question—and one I think many of us have asked in our own way. That question sparked something in me. I wanted to explore it through a story. What happens when your main character is faced with decisions that aren’t clear-cut? What does it look like when right and wrong aren’t black and white?

That’s the heart of this upcoming series—a heroine forced to make impossible choices in a world where every action has consequences.

Ideas Are Everywhere—If You’re Paying Attention

Sometimes, inspiration comes in small, unexpected moments:

• Sitting at a café and people-watching
• Listening to a podcast while commuting
• Watching a favorite show in the background
• Reflecting on years of experience (in my case, over 18 years in human resources—talk about a treasure trove of character material!)

What matters most is being ready for inspiration. My best advice? Keep a notebook nearby or use your phone’s notes app. Jot down the idea the moment it hits—even if it seems silly or random. Later, you might just discover it’s the start of something brilliant.

For example, my last flight in January of this year… Oh boy, talk about a killer opening for a new series after my urban fantasy series that will get you laughing!

Ask the Right Questions

When developing a story, I often guide myself with a few key questions:

• What does my hero or heroine truly want?
• What flaws or strengths will make them relatable?
• What part of their backstory will emotionally connect with readers?
• What role do they play in their world—comic relief, leader, or outsider?

Breaking your ideas down like this can help shape a story that readers won’t want to put down.

Write What Excites You

At the end of the day, the most important thing is this:

Write something that brings you joy.

If you’re not passionate about your story, it will show. But when you’re lit up by an idea—when you’re excited to sit down and write—that energy transfers to the page. Readers feel it. They connect with it. They’ll want to keep turning pages.

So, the next time someone asks, “Where do your story ideas come from?” —the answer might be: Anywhere. Everywhere. And always with heart.

Happy Writing!

XOXO,

LK????