I can’t count the number of author talks I’ve attended, and the most common question I’ve heard is – “Where do you get your ideas from?”

Often, that question stumps the author. They might have a character pop up in their head, and then they’re away. Or maybe they’re reminded of something in their own head and a seed of an idea takes root. Many say that they get ideas from other ideas, perhaps from a show that they’ve seen or a book that they’ve read, and the ideas link, like magnets, slowly forming a story,

For me, the ideas come when give myself permission to daydream and particularly when I take an intentional break from screens. I’m not totally crazy, though. I love watching the latest series on TV like many people do, and I spend time on social media too. But, and here’s the important part, spending time with my face in front of a screen means that I’m not observing the world around me. Time that could be spent daydreaming, ‘people-watching’ or feeding my own creativity can easily be lost, with nothing much to show for it. In a adult’s world, there are lots of ‘busy things’ that need to be taken care of. Cooking, washing, cleaning (yawn!!) as well as caring for families, doing work and paying bills. (Paying bills is particularly yuk,) But in young people’s worlds, there are just as many ‘busy things’ that need attention – school, homework, sport, music, clubs. tutoring, chores… I’m sure you could add squillions more things! Relaxing is really important in busy lives – watching TV or Youtube, playing video games.

But somehow, maybe once a week, make friends with boredom. “How do I do that?” I hear you ask…

Here are a couple of easy ways tp transform boring situations into a powerhouse of ideas and creativity:

1. Head outside. Lie on your back and look up at the clouds. Do you see shapes? Do you see animals? Do you see extra terrestrials? If you see a rabbit that morphs into a unicorn, start wondering why? Are they shapeshifters with secret powers? Or perhaps you see an elephant with two trunks. Was it floating above the sky on the other side of the world before it came into your view? And why does it have two trunks anyway? Would having two trunks be a blessing or a curse?
2. People-watch. Next time you’re dragged into the shops when you really, really, really don’t want to go, look at the people around you. Choose three people that have nothing to do with each other. Observe their clothes, their age, the way they walk, their facial expressions. In your mind’s eye, imagine them in a different setting – a zoo, an aeroplane, a tunnel. Now imagine that they have to work together to save the world. What skills could they bring? What habits might be really annoying? How will succeed? (Trust me, it will make the shopping trip go waaay faster!)
3. Invent. Do you have some jobs you’re meant to do around the house? Take the rubbish out? Unpack the dishwasher? These boring jobs are brilliant for bringing new ideas into your brain. If only there was an easier way of unpacking a dishwasher. Invent a machine in your mind, or design one on paper. (For the sake of family harmony, though, you’d better unpack the dishwasher first.,,) What would your invention need? Buttons? Levers? How will it know where the plates and cups go? Or how could you take out the stinky rubbish without having to touch it? If you live in an apartment block, is there a secret passage you could find that would be big enough for a customised vehicle to transport the rubbish? What other things do you have to do that you really don’t want to do? What could you invent to make life better? (Remember, we didn’t always have washing machines or cars!)

These are just a few ways of making friends with boredom, although there are squillions of other ideas. Will these automomatically be the inspiration for a best-selling book? Probably not, but they might help exercise that imagination muscle so that when you’re short on ideas, your in the best shape to tap into your creativity.