Did you know that people have more than 6,000 thoughts a day? That's a lot of ideas for stories! But the tough part is writing a great first sentence that makes people want to keep reading.

I'm always on the lookout for new ways to come up with story ideas. Sometimes, I write down things I hear people say at a coffee shop. Other times, I look at old family pictures for inspiration. Or, I might start with an exciting idea, like "You inherited a haunted house..." to get my creativity flowing.

There are so many ways to think of new stories. And I have lots of great tips to share with you. So, are you ready to learn how to write a first sentence that will make readers eager to read more?

Top 5 steps to come up with ideas to start a story

Some individuals are passionate about storywriting and pursue it as a career. Here, we discuss the top 5 steps that will help you generate ideas and write a story:

1. Coming up with story ideas made easy

It can be really annoying to look at a blank page and not know how to start your story. But, with a good plan, creating the beginning of an exciting story is much easier. This guide will show you how to come up with creative story ideas without much trouble.

First, think about what you really like in stories. Consider the kinds of:

• Characters
• Places
• Problems
• Themes that grab your attention

Are you into wizards in old towns? Or do stories about future robot uprisings get you thinking? Perhaps you love stories about tough detectives solving crimes. Focus on the main things you enjoy as your first step.

Then, mix and change these key parts in new ways.

For example, imagine fantasy characters and magical places combined with unexpected situations.

• What about a wizard going to a modern high school?
• Or fighting space pirates in the galaxy?

Let your imagination run wild. Jot down any mix of ideas you think of. Mixing things up like this often leads to the most original stories.

Must read: How to Write a Story About Yourself

2. Spark your creativity with real life

Once you know the story parts you like, another tip is to use real life to come up with ideas. Think about your:

• Own experiences
• Interesting people
• Odd news stories
• Hobbies
• Trips you've taken

All of these can spark creative ideas.

For example, getting lost on a hike and finding an old cabin could be the start of a mystery thriller. A friend's hobby of collecting bugs might inspire a sci-fi story about discovering new insect species. Or, funny things that happened on a family trip could lead to a humorous book.

Look at your own life for inspiration. Even everyday events can lead to new story ideas. Watch how people act in unusual ways. Remember important or funny things from when you were younger. Think about what you learned from your mistakes. These are all great sources of creativity.

3. Use writing prompts to get your creativity flowing

Sometimes, staring at a blank page or trying to force ideas can cause writer’s block. When you're stuck and can't write, try writing prompts. They spark your imagination and help you find ideas. Writing prompts are short suggestions to get you thinking creatively.

For instance, "Imagine a secret conversation in a cafe" or "A mysterious box appears on the beach. What's inside?" You can find prompts in books, online, or make your own.

Like, "What if a robot made chocolate?" or "A cat with mind-reading powers stops an alien invasion."

If nothing comes to mind, browse through prompts or mix ideas to create your own. Another amazing tip is to use an online tool like the long story generator, which, with these prompts, can effortlessly turn your ideas into captivating stories.

Prompts can lead you to new thoughts. Soon, you'll be writing your story with just a single click and adding creativity to your ideas.

4. Get story ideas from the news

Staying on top of current events and news can also provide plenty of fodder for story ideas.

Reading or watching the news can give you lots of ideas for stories. Look for odd or funny stories about weird characters or events. These can turn into great stories.

For example, a story about someone protesting in a tree, a mysterious animal seen in the wild, or a strange court case about a potato can inspire your writing. Real-life weirdness and surprises are perfect for coming up with story ideas.

Try to check out the news often. You can find cool stories in big news or in local news from your area. Keep an eye out for the strange and unusual news; those stories can spark your imagination.

You might want to keep a file where you save interesting news stories. Then, when you're looking for an idea, you can go through your file and find something that starts a story for you. This way, you'll always have interesting story ideas waiting for you.

5. Customize your favorite story elements

Here's a tip to come up with new book ideas: think about the stories, movies, and books you like. Some of them including:

• What parts do you love the most?
• Magic schools?
• Deserted lands after disasters?
• Funny friends?

Write down your favorite parts. Next, mix these parts in new ways that excite you. Combine a mystery with a magical creature.

Imagine your funny friends traveling through time. Put robot warriors in a love story meant for teens. Mix your favorite story parts in new and unseen ways.

This way, you get to use characters, places, and adventures you already like. But, you put them together in totally new ways to come up with original ideas. Even strange mixes can lead to exciting "what if" questions that start your stories.

Think of making up stories as playing, not working. Try mixing well-known elements of a story into something new and different. Let your thoughts go anywhere, no matter how weird. Mixing your favorite parts can create the beginning of magical stories.

Here is an example short story idea developed using the techniques from this guide, presented in a table format:

Story concept

Story synopsis

“It's the year 3050, and people thought dragons were gone forever. That changes when workers find a huge dragon egg under the city of New Seattle.

When the egg opens, a young dragon comes out. It's the only one left. People are scared and try to destroy their own city to stop the dragon.

But Jana, a brave scientist, thinks this dragon could be the key to stopping a deadly bug that's hurting humans. She wants to protect the dragon and find out if it can help save everyone.”

In this story, we mix fantasy with science fiction, starting with the idea of a dragon waking up in the future. It's inspired by real discoveries of new species. This makes our story special and different.

Additional information

• How to Start a Fiction Story: A Step by Steps Guide
• 11 Simple Ways to Write Inspirational Stories
• How to Improve Story writing