​Tracking your influences

One of the smartest things you can do as a writer is actually pay attention to what influences you. Everything that catches your eye (books, films, songs, paintings, even random conversations) ends up shaping how you think about storytelling. And here's the thing: influences aren't about ripping someone off. They're about figuring out what lights you up and why. They help you trace where your ideas come from and what naturally pulls you in as a creator.

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Your influences don't have to be just authors, either. Maybe it's how Hitchcock builds tension, or the way Ridley Scott creates atmosphere, or how Tarantino writes dialogue. Could be a songwriter's lyrics, a photographer's eye for composition, or even the vibe of a true crime podcast. The important part is being deliberate about it. Pull from things that actually support the story you're trying to tell. Writing a mystery? Study how other creators ratchet up suspense. Working on a romance? Look at how they show chemistry instead of just telling you it's there. That's not to say you can't borrow from outside your lane (sometimes the best ideas come from weird places) but make sure they're actually serving your story.

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As for keeping track, don't overcomplicate it. Grab a notebook and dedicate a page, or use whatever section your novel planner has for this stuff. Just somewhere you can come back to. Here's what's worth jotting down:

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• What kind of influence it is: book, movie, director, musician, whatever

• The specific thing: the actual title or piece that stuck with you

• Why it grabbed you: tone, structure, characters, dialogue, mood, theme, whatever it is

• How you might use it: maybe it's the pacing you want to steal, or the style, or just the general vibe

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Once you've got your list, actually use it. Come back to it while you're writing. Check if those inspirations are showing up where they should (in how a scene feels, the rhythm of your dialogue, the way tension creeps in). Ask yourself if what you're writing feels like the kind of story that got you excited in the first place. It keeps you on track and helps you see what's landing.

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Now, if you ever worry you've borrowed too heavily, just pause and read what you've got. Ask yourself: would someone immediately think of that other thing when they read this? If yes, time to strip it back. Keep the core of what inspired you, but change how you deliver it. Shift the angle, tweak the tone, find another way to hit that same emotional note. You're not trying to hide your influences. You're building on them until they turn into something that could only come from you. If you want to learn more about taking influence from other people work, try reading Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon.

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Bottom line: tracking your influences is about knowing what moves you, learning from it, and then making it your own.

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Summary: Tracking your influences

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• Influences shape your voice and creative direction

• They can come from anywhere: books, films, music, art, or real life

• Keep them relevant to your genre and story goals

• Record each influence type, specific work, what draws you to it, and how you plan to use it

• Revisit your list as you write to stay consistent with your vision

• If you’ve borrowed too much, rework it until it feels like your own