Inspiration is a fickle thing. Where do you find it? Where do you keep it once you get it? What do you do with it? As a writer, especially one with ADHD, I often struggle with keeping inspiration on tap. But there are lots of things that can help with that.

I find a lot of inspiration in music. Some of my favorite storytellers are song writers. David Bowie, Robert Plant, Dave Grohl, Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, just to name a few. And it’s not always an entire song. Sometimes I only need a phrase, a line or two, to spark a thought and my imagination starts putting ideas together. Songs by bands like Pretty Reckless, Halestorm, and Five Finger Death Punch are good for that.

Sometimes I need a prop to go with a lyric. This happened with a gargoyle statue and an Evanescence song. I usually end up listening to the song on repeat until I get enough ideas to start writing them down. Sometimes I have to let the song stew about in my head for a few days, chew on it until the ideas have finished cooking. Then I will end up with a couple pages of notes, sometimes questions, stuff I need to research, maybe character ideas.

The process is the same with other types of inspiration. I have seen a car that I liked and had an idea for a character that would look good driving it. That’s why I keep a notepad and pens with me everywhere I go. My spouse is used to me suddenly reaching for my bag during dinner to get my pad and pen to write something down. Or if I’m driving I will have him send me a text and dictate what I need to remember.

Artwork, like the gargoyle statue, paintings, sculpture, architecture, anything you find interest in or that makes you think can be an inspiration. Jeff Koons makes giant balloon animal sculptures in vivid metallic colors. They are simultaneously a reminder of childhood and county fairs, and terrifying if you think of the sheer size and horror of a 10-foot blue dog that could pee on you.

Locations are another source for inspiration. Your characters have to be somewhere. I have a Pinterest board of castles, houses, shorelines, places I would love to see in person. All are places that I could imagine a witch or dragon taking a stroll.

Okay, we have found lots of types of inspiration. But what if you have trouble finding it? Let’s go back to location. Your location. Try writing in a different place. You may have heard that before, but have you tried it? Go to a different room, a park, a mall cafeteria. Or just go take a walk. With my ADHD I often get stuck on a task and have to get up and move or do something different for a few minutes to redirect my brain. This helps with writing and any other task. A change of scenery can reset your energy, your concentration, and help get you back on track.

A couple other things that help, keep notes on what you want to do next. Leave off knowing what you want to do so you have an easier time finding that inspiration when you sit back down to write. If you use it all up it will seem really daunting the next time go to write. Leave yourself some bread crumbs. What other ways can you think of to help jump start your muse?