For me, inspiration is like trying to catch a butterfly on the palm of your hand, before hoping it will stay there long enough for the words and ideas to flow.

Inspiration by its very nature is elusive and delicate, yet it is such a powerful and influential force. It is the seed to every great story. The spark of an idea that blossoms into something magical — a world filled with adventure, humour or heartfelt emotion. For children’s authors, inspiration is arguably even more crucial. Young readers are naturally curious and imaginative, and they enjoy stories that ignite their sense of wonder.

However, like a butterfly, inspiration can be evasive and fleeting. Some days, ideas flow effortlessly, while on others, the blank page feels like an insurmountable wall. The pressure to create something fresh, unique and engaging can make inspiration feel even harder to capture. So, where does it come from, and how can authors harness it when they need it most?

Tuning in to inspiration

Inspiration is all around us. In the words we read, the pictures we see, the conversations we have, and the lives we lead. It is there for the taking. It’s just recognising the right inspiration among all the noise.

John Lennon once said, “I’m not a songwriter. I’m a receiver.” He often spoke about how songs would come to him as if he were tuning into a frequency, rather than consciously constructing them. He believed that creativity was more about channelling something greater than himself rather than actively ’writing’ songs in a traditional sense.

I believe the same applies to writers when it comes to creating stories. But how can we become better receivers?

Environmental concerns

The right surroundings can make all the difference when seeking inspiration. This will be personal to every author, but it’s worth considering your creative workspace. Whether it’s a cosy corner in a library, a clutter-free desk, or a café with just the right amount of background noise – find a space where ideas flow naturally for you.

Surround yourself with illustrations, books and music that align with the tone of your writing to help fuel your creativity.

And if that’s not working on a day, have a change of scene. Step out into the world. A simple walk in the park or time spent in a garden can provide sensory experiences that may lead to story ideas. Personally, I find I can only write in my garden office with my noise-cancellation headphones on (to block out the noise of my three boys playing football!). Yet some of my best ideas have come when I’m running across the South Downs — it’s as if I’m chasing the tail of inspiration and sometimes, I’m lucky enough to catch it.

Fueling inspiration

Inspiration needs to be fed though. Writing may often be a solitary task, but creativity is hard to spark in a vacuum. So, I advise reading widely. Enjoy books within your own genre but also explore poetry, non-fiction and different cultural stories for fresh perspectives.

My Young Samurai series, for example, was inspired by the life of the sailor William Adams, who became one of the first foreign samurai. For my story, I simply imagined him as a boy. On further research, I discovered there were samurai schools and kids as young as thirteen fought in sword duels. History makes a great springboard for ideas, and in fact is often stranger and wilder than anything your imagination might come up with.

Let children be your inspiration too. Since you’re writing for young readers, spend time watching and listening to kids. Their way of seeing the world is often filled with unexpected and delightful perspectives. My Jake and Jen series was inspired by observing my boys using their imagination and everyday items to create worlds and stories around them.

Most importantly, keep your ears and eyes open to the world. This is the best way to become a great ‘receiver’. I heard on the radio a close protection officer say that the best bodyguard is the one nobody notices. That single line on the radio triggered a nine-book series in my head about young bodyguards. But what if the ideas simply won’t come?

Creative blockade

The dreaded creative block feels very real and painful, but is it an actual barrier or just fear in disguise? For many authors, it’s less about the absence of ideas and more about self-doubt, perfectionism, or burnout. I have experienced all these at some point.

The fear of writing something that isn’t ‘good enough’ can paralyze creativity. But inspiration isn’t always about waiting for the perfect idea; it’s about showing up and creating, even when the ideas aren’t fully formed.

Elizabeth Gilbert said in her book Big Magic that ‘Done is better than good.’ This mantra can help fill the blank page. Once you have an idea down in writing, then you can work with it. A bit like a sculptor needs clay to begin making a sculpture, so a writer needs words on the page before they can craft it into the perfect story.

Breaking the block

Yet I have faced periods when the well of creativity seems to have completely dried up. At this point I need to refill the well. Some strategies that help me reignite my imagination include:

• Take A Break – a cup of tea, coffee or, in my case, a can of coke can be just the boost your mind needs to kickstart an idea. Green tea (matcha) is excellent for helping with concentration since it contains both caffeine and L-theanine, a combination that has been shown to enhance cognitive function.
• Get Moving –activities like yoga, running, or even dancing can help reset the brain and loosen creative tension. I find this is the best method to get the creative juices flowing and break the block.
• Switch It Up – try a different creative medium. Experimenting with poetry, painting or another form of storytelling can shake things up. I will play my guitar and songwrite to inspire new ideas.
• Self-Hypnosis – this method broke the hardest creative block in my writing life and I use it to this day to guide my writing. The technique involves accessing your subconscious where the ideas and writing really happen. It is a very deep and effective inspiration tool. I worked with hypnotist Alex Vrettos.

The creativity cycle

Even when inspiration seems out of reach, remember that creativity is a cycle. Sometimes, it takes patience. But when inspiration finally strikes, it feels magical — like finding the key to a hidden door to a world you didn’t know existed.

If you’re struggling, take comfort that you’re not alone. Every great author has faced creative dry spells. The key is to keep exploring, keep experimenting, and most importantly, keep writing. As Maya Angelou once said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” The next spark of inspiration might be just around the corner – a butterfly seeking a hand to rest upon so the ideas can flow.