With my writing journey in full flow and five books under my belt, I’m always on the lookout for fresh, innovative ways to tell my stories. Recently, I discovered an unexpected but ideal platform to share my work: TikTok.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—TikTok is for teenagers, dance challenges, and lip-syncing. Well, not entirely. Believe it or not, TikTok is becoming a thriving space for creative storytelling, and I’ve jumped right in. But no, you won’t find me narrating my tales while doing inane dances. I’m not that desperate—at least, not yet!
Instead, I’ve found a unique way to share my short stories through a series of slides. Each slide unravels a part of the story, creating a captivating visual and narrative experience. So far, the response has been good. My stories have been well-received, and I’m gradually building a community of followers and viewers for future stories.
My primary genre on TikTok is horror—something about the platform’s quick pace and visual capabilities makes it perfect for delivering spine-chilling stories.
Finding inspiration has been a journey in itself. Here’s where I’ve been drawing my ideas from:
1. Picture Prompts:
A picture is worth a thousand words, or in my case, a thousand terrifying scenarios. Sometimes, a single image can spark an entire story. I browse through images and let my imagination run wild, creating narratives that often take unexpected and eerie turns.
2. Word Prompts:
I was an avid participant in vss365, a vibrant Twitter community that provided daily word prompts for very short stories (VSS). While vss365 is no longer active, I’ve continued the tradition with suggestions from my TikTok followers. Each prompt is a seed, and my job is to nurture it into a full-blown, gripping story.
3. Song Lyrics:
Music has always been a source of inspiration for me. Recently, I’ve started crafting stories based on songs and their lyrics. There’s something magical about translating the emotions and imagery of a song into a narrative. It’s like giving the song a second life through words. This adds another level complexity to writing the stories and really makes me think.
4. User Suggestions:
Engagement is key on TikTok, and I love involving my audience in the creative process. I ask for story ideas and prompts, and their suggestions often lead me down fascinating new paths. This interaction not only keeps my content fresh but also strengthens my connection with my followers.
These diverse sources of inspiration have been incredibly fun and creatively stimulating. They’ve allowed me to explore different angles and styles, pushing me to think outside the box. Plus, they’ve been a fantastic way to flex my writing muscles, especially during times when my focus was more on academic writing than creative storytelling.
Why TikTok?
You might wonder why I chose TikTok over other platforms. Here are a few reasons:
- Visual Storytelling: TikTok’s format is perfect for combining narrative and visuals, making stories more engaging.
- Bite-Sized Content: The platform’s short video format forces me to be concise and impactful, which is a great exercise in brevity.
- Community Interaction: The instant feedback and interaction with followers help me improve and adapt my storytelling techniques.
- Viral Potential: The chance to reach a massive audience is always there, and it’s exciting to see how far my stories can go.
So, if you’re a writer looking to explore new ways of storytelling or a reader eager for fresh, bite-sized tales, TikTok might just be the perfect place. It’s an evolving space where creativity knows no bounds, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
Feel free to follow my journey on TikTok, share your thoughts, and maybe even drop a prompt or two. Happy storytelling!
Gareth Ellis - Author 