Ask “What if…”

Quick tip for today: If you’re suffering from writers’ block and you write speculative fiction, take out a sheet of paper and start writing “What if…” at the top of it. If nothing is striking you, pick up a newsmagazine or listen to some news or science reports. Take inspiration from things actually happening. Many times, a strange news event will spark you to want to ask yourself that question. Given other circumstances, what would be an outcome of a particular event? This very questioning is what has led to the alternate history genre, for example.