This post contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.
Many writers find creative writing inspiration from everyday places. I, myself, whenever I’m stuck for an idea, either for something I’m writing about or another kind of project, tend to retreat to the mundane spaces of life. This could be a mart, a park, a library or a bookstore. You too can use these places to achieve greater creativity in whatever it is that you’re doing. And you don’t have to be a writer. Perhaps you’re a teacher, and you want to write a lesson for your students. Ideas may be fleeting, but you can take them and sort through the not-so-great ones to come up with something even better. Creativity is about trying to see the connections between unrelated things, and you then shape those ideas and refine them until you come up with a work of art that you’re proud of.
Activities such as walking or listening to your favorite songs can help, but if you find that doesn’t solve your challenges to become a more creative writer, then it’s time to consider other ideas.
In this post, I’m going to share 32 different places you can count on to help you whenever you’re in a creative rut. The great thing about these places is that they’re pretty much accessible to anyone. You don’t have to live in a big city. Even if you live in a small town, you can find the right space that can help you to be in that right frame of mind to produce some of your greatest work.
But first, you may be asking, why am I lacking creative writing inspiration? How do I get creative writing inspiration back?
The best way is to ask yourself, what stage am I in my creative project? Am I at the beginning? Am I having difficulty coming up with the title for your written work?
If you already have a decent idea of what it is that you’d like to write about but just need a bit more of motivation or inspiration, then these places can help you. These places are full of movement and even sometimes tension. And they will give your brain new material to work with. Oftentimes you may not even realize that these places have helped create great new ideas until you do the sorting out later on and think about them. Your subconscious has a funny way of coming up with ideas, and these places will help you.
These places will take you out of your head. You’ll be in a world of textures, contradictions, and small mysteries. Creative blocks will be loosened and new ideas will feel more alive.
Which Mood Fits You Today? Find Your Writing Inspiration to Jump to Specific Section, or Read Start to Finish
Reflective / Thoughtful
1. A Silent Retreat
A silent retreat is an excellent opportunity to relax your mind and come up with ideas. There are several reasons for this. When your subconscious is relaxed, it is more receptive to getting ideas. Some may not be great even with a bit of tweaking, but they often lead to better ones. So do not dismiss an idea you have as ridiculous right off the bat. Work with it and see what you can come up with. Another great reason to take a retreat for the purpose of idea generation is for prompting. You can, for instance, look at a tree or a hill and think about how you might start a story inspired by these natural scenes. Nature is a goldmine for creative inspiration, no matter if you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro. Next time you visit a beautiful spot, consider how you can use the milieu to fuel your next story.
2. A Chess Park
Back in the late 1980s, I frequented Washington Square Park in New York City. It’s a place where there are chess tables set up, inviting anyone to play a game with a friend or with one of the many strangers present. Adjacent to New York University in Greenwich Village, it’s a place that was often fodder for writing inspiration back then. Not only was the park a beautiful place, but the academic ambience helped me to improve in various areas. I’d often go on afternoon Sundays, the day before I’d return to school, so my thoughts were often occupied by apprehension over homework. I used my time wisely, even taking notes from time to time between chess games. I wasn’t the best student, but I was among the most curious and hard-working, and I credit my trips to the park for helping me to realize the importance of effectively using one’s time, which is important for writers.
3. A Closet
Yes, I know some of you may consider this a weird one, and I don’t recommend you ensconce yourself in your closet for hours on end if it’s only 3 by 4 feet. But a closet is an ideal place for idea generation. With no window or clutter to clean, they can block out distractions. You can usually find personal objects in a closet. It could be pairs of shoes or a motley of pants and shirts. These and other pieces of clothing can remind you of certain things. Some of you have closets that are much more spacious than that. If so, you can pull up a chair and a table and use the closet as your writing sanctuary in addition to a retreat whenever you find yourself in a pinch for ideas. Make sure you have adequate ventilation, and hydrate yourself while you brainstorm and/or write.
4. A Long-Forgotten Voicemail
Not all places are physical. Some live in your phone—or your mind. Among the weird habits I myself have is listening to old voicemails. Why? I guess you can say I’m a bit of a nostalgic person. But listening to messages that I’ve gotten on my phone in the past has also given me ideas for stories that I’ve written. I also like to judge the messages that I received. You know how some folks say they like to monitor their calls via voicemail. Well, I do pretty much the same thing, but the only difference is, in my head I’m trying to think of what kind of person is on the other end. Is he shy, ambitious, or perhaps he seems a bit depressed. What could be going through that person’s head at the moment he left a message. The more I think about these things, the more ideas invade my brain space, and then I can sort through these ideas and find the one that suits me the best.
5. An Abandoned Building
No, I don’t suggest that you actually go inside the abandoned building. Not that there will be a ghost in there, but there are laws. The building may be abandoned but still belong to someone else. But if you are able to enter, do so, because that can help you to come up with ideas. The abandoned building can be a former hospital, residence, or school. Think to yourself, who lived in this place before it became deserted? What kinds of people were they? Why did the building become empty? Questions are the foundation for ideas. And an abandoned building can be an excellent place to visit so that you can come up with some of your best ideas.
6. A Botanical Garden or Arboretum
One of the best exercises to boost creative writing inspiration is to visit nature. Botanical gardens are great places as they’re filled with much beauty and variety in terms of the trees and flowers. It’s a relaxing environment as well, so as you stroll around you can take in the variety of foliage and ask yourself the pressing questions needed to overcome a creative block. One of the most beautiful places in New York City is Central Park’s garden. It sits right across my favorite museum, the Museum of the City of New York. The first time I visited the garden was during a school trip in elementary school, and my interest in the place has never faded. It isn’t the largest garden I’ve explored, but it always brings back that early sense of wonder, and that feeling fuels my writing with a spark of excitement whenever I take in the landscape. As a bonus, the scents from the trees and flowers can help you to relax, and as we’ve already discovered in this post, being in a calm, quiet state conducive to producing some of your best writing.
7. A Hospital Waiting Room
A hospital waiting room is a masterclass in human emotion. You can observe the entire spectrum of facial reactions and body language in one place—the nervous pacing, the quiet relief, the shared exhaustion. It’s a practical spot to study how people react under pressure, which is invaluable for character development. Hopefully, no one that you’re observing is going through tragic times but if they are you can use their travails as inspiration for how the human condition, despite whatever adversity it may face in life, still has the capacity to overcome these bad times to face the better moments ahead.
Overstimulated / Chaotic / Charged
8. A Tech Support Call
A tech support call can expose you to new ways of solving problems. How many times have you been helped by someone on the other end, and you thought the service was so spectacular, that you would hire him in a heartbeat? It’s happened to me many times. I tend to think about such calls, and what it is about the agent that I really liked. Sometimes they inspire me so much that I’ll think about the call for about ten minutes after I hung up. Granted, some of these agents made me feel a bit dumb for not knowing some basic stuff about the issue. The lesson in many of these cases is that there are many people much smarter than us in various areas, and that it’s a blessing that competent employees are there to help us with our problems. Smart people like this cause me to aspire to greater knowledge in my own areas of interest. I also learned that collaboration can lead to the best solutions, and that learning never stops.
9. A Public Protest or Demonstration
Several years ago, I visited Seattle. This was my second time in Emerald City. I love the place not only because it’s beautiful, but also because it is diverse. I also met quite a few educated people in the city, and my conversations with these types of folk have helped my writing. While I was there, I observed a number of protests. I enjoyed reading the signs people carried and even photographed a few. I also spent time observing the crowd, noticing people from all over the world expressing their dissatisfaction with various issues. And I would ask myself often questions such as, what kinds of people attend these demonstrations? Do they really believe in their hearts that they can make a difference? The fact of the matter is, these moments watching these demonstrations helped to fuel my imagination.
10. A Food Bank or Soup Kitchen
Food banks are often filled with a wide variety of people—the needy, those helping them, and other volunteers. Moments like these give me hope in humanity, showing that someone is willing to care for a person they don’t even know. These acts of kindness have inspired ideas for short stories. I also enjoy listening to the conversations happening around me. Many people are facing difficult situations, yet a sense of hope and pride shines through, a belief that better times will come. Observing this generosity makes me reflect: what motivates someone who has more to take the time to help others, whether by feeding them or sharing job information? Witnessing this inspires me and reminds me that, despite the world’s challenges, there are still many good people.
11. A Courthouse or Small Claims Court
In a courtroom, humanity is often not at its best. Even when someone, for instance, is expecting to get a large sum of money, on the other end there is a litigant who has lost. In the United States, citizens are allowed to attend court cases as a visitor. If you’re a writer or other creative, and go to one of these events, then you’ve got the chance to listen to both sides of a story, likely unfortunate, and then you can make up your own mind about who’s guilty and who’s not. But the main idea is, you’ll encounter people in a different environment and you can learn a lot about others and how they react to not-so-great situations.
12. A Supermarket
Most of us visit the supermarket, and if you’re creative, this is a great place to be. From the produce to the employees, you’re surrounded by a wealth of things and folks that can encourage you to ask questions. As you walk around the supermarket, you’ll likely touch a few products. This can be a good time for you to get the feel for the products. I like to feed my eyes with the fruits and vegetables. I like to take in the colors and sense of that section. If I’m stuck for an idea, then I want to be able to relax as much as possible. For some, shopping can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Take in as much as you can and ask questions not only about the products but also about the people you see shopping.
13. A Bus Stop in a Busy Neighborhood
A bus stop can be an excellent place to observe people and their conversations. I like to brainstorm as much as I can at bus stops. Not only am I surrounded by people waiting for the bus, but I also see the cars go by and the people in them, and I ask myself questions about them. The questions do not have to be entirely sensible. Do what makes sense to you. Ask questions that a five-year-old might ask but that still help you learn more about people and their situations. Who is the person seated next to you? You may be shy and not want to introduce yourself, but you can imagine what kind of person he or she is while trying to come up with ideas. Do not underestimate the value of sitting at a bus stop and its potential for idea generation.
14. The Backseat of a Rideshare
The back of taxis is one of the best places when you’re accompanied by other passengers. It is a liminal space where people often say the weirdest things. From living in New York City and talking to taxi drivers, I know they have thousands of stories about passengers and people they’ve met. I’m pretty sure a good percentage of those drivers have met celebrities. Can you imagine driving a taxi and realizing your favorite actor is right behind you? I can’t think of anything more memorable. For most of us, though, the other person in the taxi will be just a regular person—someone with the same fears, ambitions, and challenges as all of us. If you take the time to converse with that person, you’ll learn that he or she is much like yourself. Later, while you’re at work or at home, you might think of that person and the things they shared, which could fuel some ideas for your writing. The ideas may not come right away—it could be five or ten years down the line when you suddenly remember that person and an idea appears. And it’s all thanks to that taxi ride you took some time ago.
Creative / Artistic / Offbeat
15. A Mural with Graffiti
Using urban settings for creative writing inspiration is something every creative should take advantage of. Depending on which part of the country you live in, graffiti may or may not be a common scene. You could also look through photos of graffiti in a book or a film. Graffiti, like all art, is introspective. When you examine a piece of graffiti, you’re looking at something created by an artist who faced challenges like we all do. Try to imagine what kind of person the artist was. What were they trying to express? In New York City, particularly in the 1980s, graffiti was a common sight, often in unauthorized places. But that doesn’t make it any less artistic. You might be surprised at the inspiration you can get from examining a piece of graffiti.
16. A Street Performance
The soft echo of a violin drifting across a city square, the graceful arc of juggling balls in midair, the hush that falls as a crowd gathers around a street performer — moments like these can spark unexpected inspiration. Passersby themselves can also ignite ideas. Observe the crowd and imagine the stories behind their faces—their dreams, struggles, and hopes. A performer may remind you of someone you know, or their talent may be so captivating that you’re inspired to base a character entirely on them. I visited Portugal eleven years ago, and one of my most memorable experiences was watching the buskers in Lisbon. At the time, I had just begun writing a story and decided to include a performer who created enormous floating bubbles—a character inspired directly by what I saw. The next time you’re in a big city and come across a street performer, pause and watch. That musician or artist may become the spark for a compelling character in your fiction.
17. A Cultural Festival
A festival representing various nationalities is a good place to draw writing inspiration. Like travel, these festivals can show you that you are different yet connected to others. I enjoy cultural festivals as much as traveling because you can experience so much in one place. Whether it’s a food festival, book event, or any other occasion, you can see that despite differences, we are more similar than we think. Walk around and ask yourself: How is this food different from my own? Listen to the languages being spoken. Are they as melodic as your own, with a preponderance of vowels like in Italian or Spanish, or richer in consonants and a bit more serious? Who attends these events—mostly foreigners or natives? Questions like these can generate ideas for your writing.
18. A Recipe Comment Section
I enjoy reading comments under recipes on blogs and in books, whether written by the author or by readers. Sometimes a single word sparks an idea. For example, someone might describe a cake as *delectable*. I ask myself what other synonyms I could use to describe something delicious, trying to come up with at least ten. Food engages the senses, so most who describe a favorite dish will use many adjectives or verbs. Take these words and see how many of your own you can generate to express the same idea.
19. A Neighborhood Facebook Group
Facebook groups are great for several reasons. One is that you meet people who share your interests. Many groups invite you to comment on posts. I like reading not only the post but also the comments to see what others have to say. Sometimes someone will state something unexpected, which fuels my imagination and makes me think about how others—even with the same interests—can feel very differently. You’ll see that people are diverse, even if you share hobbies. I often learn things I hadn’t known before. The more you learn about a subject, the more interesting your writing will be when you explore it.
20. A Community Bulletin Board in a Grocery Store
I sometimes spend more than twenty minutes in front of a supermarket bulletin board. The announcements offer great variety—people looking for jobs, others offering positions, and those who have lost a pet and are seeking help. Occasionally, I read a pet description and feel overcome with emotion, wondering who would take the time to share such feelings. Observing this can inspire short stories or movie ideas. Even in mundane situations, you can find writing inspiration. Next time you’re at a supermarket, know that reading through a community bulletin board can help you get creatively unstuck.
Conversational / Quirky
21. An Elevator
An elevator is also a powerful setting for creatives. Oftentimes, you may find yourself in conversations. Other times, you’ll meet people you know well and whom you see every day. If it’s an elevator in the building where you reside, you’ll likely have interactions that, after a while, feel repetitive because you’ll often repeat yourself. Other times, you’ll see strangers. If you take an elevator to your office, the people whom you meet will be diverse, giving you opportunities to talk about work or current events. Weather is often a topic of conversation among people in elevators. From these talks, other ideas may arise. For instance, I once talked to a colleague in an elevator about a vicious snowstorm in New York City. Later, this got me thinking about a story I had always wanted to write, and I included an inclement snowstorm in it, which helps propel the tale from a simple story to something more interesting.
22. A Diner
A diner is a great place to find writing inspiration. The variety of people helps fuel imagination, and the scents of food add sensory richness. I enjoy coming up with ideas after smelling something intriguing. In diners, even subtle people-watching can spark questions about personalities, helping you think more deeply. What does the person seated at the far end of the diner seem like to you? Are they eating alone? Why? Have they been here before? Questions like these encourage creative thinking.
23. A Farmers Market
Visiting a farmers market is especially rewarding if you love food. You might see rare fruits and vegetables or observe interesting interactions. Walking around helps you relax and generate ideas. The combination of scents, sights, and people-watching makes these markets ideal for inspiration.
24. A Hotel Lobby
Most of us have spent time in hotel lobbies, watching people come and go. Some check in, giving you a chance to observe. I encourage creatives to use this time to reflect and generate ideas.
25. A Laundromat
Some years ago, while my clothes were drying, I met someone at a laundromat who turned out to be an attorney. At first, I didn’t realize he was a lawyer, but as we talked, he shared his dissatisfaction with his job. The time flew by. Laundromats can offer opportunities for idea generation, whether you find a conversation partner or reflect on nagging questions and creative projects while sitting idly.
26. A Neighborhood Block Party
I grew up in New York City in the 1970s and ’80s, when block parties were common. Walking through these events offers people-watching opportunities, and music helps relax the mind and spark creativity. A familiar tune might revive a long-lost memory, igniting an idea that later develops into something brilliant.
27. A Garage Sale or Estate Sale
Garage and estate sales are some of my favorite creative spaces. Each item has a past. If objects could talk, each would certainly have a story. You may overhear conversations about the items, eliciting responses or quiet reflection. Imagining how it feels to part with items dear to someone can spark inspiration. Whether buying, selling, or observing, these events can provide fresh ideas for writing or other creative endeavors.
28. The Lost & Found Section of Craigslist
This is one of my favorite places to draw inspiration. The Lost Pets section is particularly poignant. Reading the ads gives insight into owners’ kindness, desperation, and the importance of animals in people’s lives. For fiction writers, these listings can generate awe-inspiring ideas about humanity at its best and worst. Losing a pet is devastating, and the lengths people go to retrieve a beloved creature are thought-provoking.
Lonely / Isolated / Quiet
29. A Park Bench
A park bench is one of my favorite places when I’m stuck for ideas. Parks allow you to take in nature while generating thoughts, but benches are more passive, encouraging reflection from within. I like to bring a notebook and pen to jot ideas, whereas botanical gardens often involve walking. Each has advantages. If sitting at a park bench helps you generate better ideas than a botanical garden, consider visiting parks more often. The goal is to find what works best for you.
30. An Auction House
Step into an auction house and feel the tension. It’s a dynamic, high-stakes environment where every item has a hidden history and every bidder has a secret motive. Listen for the rapid-fire cadence of the auctioneer, watch the subtle shifts in body language as fortunes are won and lost, and look for the contrast between polished wealth and desperate hope. It’s pure drama.
31. An Office Corridor
An office corridor is one of those overlooked spaces where everyday life quietly unfolds. It’s neither a destination nor a true gathering place — it’s a transitional world where people pass through on their way to something else. And that’s exactly what makes it so creatively powerful. In a corridor, conversations are brief, glances are fleeting, and emotions are often half-hidden. You might overhear fragments of dialogue, a whispered update about a project, or a tense exchange between colleagues trying to remain composed. Even silence speaks here—the soft footsteps, the hum of fluorescent lights, the rustle of papers against someone’s arm.
32. A Local Animal Shelter
Visit an animal shelter and watch the dogs. You’ll see a tiny terrier, trembling in the corner, who suddenly leaps up, tail wagging, when a potential adopter walks by. That moment—the raw, urgent hope for a second chance—is the emotional intensity you want to capture. It’s not despair; it’s resilience in action. An animal shelter is a great place for creatives because it is often filled with emotional intensity and meaningful moments. An animal shelter may not have the beauty of a park or botanical garden, but it is still a place where hope often floats.
Still feeling creatively stuck? You’re not alone. In addition to the places listed below, you might want to try some mindset-based strategies we shared in our article on best ways to overcome writer’s block—especially if location alone isn’t cutting it.
Last Updated on January 2, 2026
by Daniel Zohar
I’m an entrepreneur and digital marketing enthusiast who loves helping people grow—not just in affiliate marketing, but in all areas of online business. I enjoy showing others how to build a strong brand, create meaningful content, and use tools that make work easier. Over the years, I’ve learned what truly works in digital marketing, from creating websites that convert to building an engaged audience through email and social media. After more than ten years in the field, I’ve gathered plenty of lessons I enjoy sharing through my writing and talks. I use my own experiences to help others reach their goals and build something lasting. Besides running my business, I’m a fiction writer in the speculative genre, with dozens of short stories published in various magazines and anthologies. For eighteen years, I was a Top 10% Reviewer at Zoetrope, an online venue for creatives, where I helped members strengthen their writing. When I’m not working as a writer or marketer, you’ll probably find me cooking, reading, or watching a good baseball game. I live in New York City, where I was born and raised.