بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
My Inspiration List
In this short post, I’ll include a list of the things that inspire me (and you might find them in my books). The categories are setting, characters, plot & tropes, and objects & miscellaneous. This list post idea came from Young Adult author Marissa Meyer’s Instagram post.
Settings
- Masjid
- Forests/Rainforests/Jungles
- Oceans/Rivers/Seas
- Mountains/Plateaus/mesas
- Deserts
- Beaches/coves/deltas
- Marshes/Swamps/Bogs
- Palaces/Castles/Mansions
- Gardens
- Waterfalls
- Caves
- Bazaars
- Bookstores
- Fog/Misty/Rainy Places
- Snow/snowy places
- Libraries
- Taverns/Inns
- Herb/Plant Shops
- Dojos
- Treehouses
- Floating Islands
- Townsquares
- Skyscrapers
- Cottages/Farms
- Dungeons/Prisons
- Space/Hyperspace
- Spaceships
- Stars/Galaxies
- Exoplanets
- Moon/Satellites/Asteroids
Characters
- Passive
- Cheerful
- Orphans
- Large Families
- Twins/Triplets/Etc.
- Sisters/Brothers
- Best Friends
- Authors/Storytellers
- Imams/Scholars
- Mothers/Mother figures
- Fathers/Father figures
- Aunts/Uncles
- Grandparents
- Royalty
- Eccentric elders
- Pirates
- Vigilantes
- Cartographers
- Astronomers
- Alchemists
- Glasses
- Heterochromia
- Synesthesia
- Cyborgs
- Wise children
- Prodigies/Highly-Skilled
- Assassins/Mercenaries
- Bounty Hunters
- Warriors/Knights
- Artists/Crafters/Creatives
Plots/Tropes
- Adventures/Quests
- Swordfighting
- Archery
- Horseback riding
- Fairytales/Myths
- Curses
- Rags to riches
- Heists
- Secret royalty
- Slow-burn relationships
- Sisterhood/Female Friendships
- Found families
- Makeovers
- Secret Identities
- Stories within stories
- Witty banter
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Princess x Guard
- Prince x Commoner girl
- Protector x protected
- Enemies to friends/lovers
- Arranged marriages
- Improvised escapes/plans
- Unique abilities/powers
- Morally gray characters
- Righteous characters
- Soul mates
- Sentient non-humans
- Treating/Healing injury
- Death is inevitable
Objects/Miscellaneous
- Books/Journals/Diaries/Scrolls
- Astronomy
- Astrolabes/Compasses
- Crescent moon
- Maps/Globes
- Bioluminescence
- Dragons
- Unicorns/Horses
- Mermaids
- Fairies/Jinn
- Cats
- Butterflies/Dragonflies
- Flowers
- Dolphins/Whales
- Animal companions
- Arabic Calligraphy
- Ahadith/Sunnah
- Dhikr/Dua/Qur’an verses
- Hijab/Khimar/Niqab
- Abaya/Jilbab
- Armor
- Swords/Daggers
- Jewelry/Treasures
- Crystals/Gemstones
- Large, antique keys
- Fancy dresses
- Crowns/Tiaras
- Hourglasses/Timepieces
- Lamps/Lanterns/Candles
- Halal food/cuisines
What are some topics you enjoy reading? Any tropes/cliches you never tire of? Let me know in the comments below!