Steal Like a Bestseller: How to Borrow Ideas Without Losing Your Voice

Mar 24, 2025

Let me start with a truth that every writer needs to hear: originality is BS.

When I was new to writing, I wasted so much time trying to come up with a completely unique idea—something no one had ever written before. I thought that was the key to writing a great book. But the more I read and studied successful authors, the more I realized something surprising: every book “borrows” from something that came before it.

Borrowing is not a bad. It’s how creativity works. The trick is learning how to borrow ideas in a way that feels fresh, personal, and completely your own.

Here’s how I do it—and how you can too.

1. Stop searching for original ideas.

If you’re waiting for an idea no one has ever thought of, you’ll be waiting forever. Every story, every book, and every concept is inspired by something else. And that’s okay!

Think about the most popular books out there:

The Hunger Games was influenced by Greek mythology and reality TV.
Harry Potter took elements from classic fantasy, boarding school novels, and folklore.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern was inspired by Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and old circus aesthetics.

When I wrote my first book, How To Write And Publish An eBook In One Week, there were hundreds of books on the topic. But the way I addressed the topic and explained the concepts and suggested the solutions—were uniquely mine. And that’s what mattered.

2. Find your “creative parents.”

Austin Kleon, in his book Steal Like an Artist, talks about finding your creative influences—your “creative parents.” These are the writers, storytellers, and thinkers whose work resonates deeply with you.

Who are the authors that make you say, I wish I had written that!? That’s a clue to your own style.

For me, I’ve always been drawn to books that explore deep emotions and complex relationships—authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, Arundhati Roy, John Green and Malcolm Gladwell. When I read their work, I pay attention:

What do I love about their storytelling?
How do they build tension and emotion?
What makes their writing feel so immersive?

I don’t copy their words, but I study their techniques and find ways to adapt them to my own voice.

3. Combine unexpected influences.

One of the best ways to make your writing feel fresh is to mix different influences. Instead of copying just one book or genre, pull inspiration from multiple sources.

For example, what if you mixed:

The structure of a mystery novel with the emotional depth of literary fiction?
The dark humor of a TV show with the storytelling style of a memoir?
Historical events with a modern twist?

When I started writing The Guilty Wife, I didn’t just look at women’s fiction. I pulled ideas from psychology books, true crime documentaries, and even conversations I had with friends. The more diverse your influences, the more original your book will feel.

4. Borrow structures, not sentences.

There’s a huge difference between copying and learning from the best.

Copying is taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own.
Learning is studying what works and using it as a blueprint for your own creativity.

If you love the way a novel is structured, ask yourself why it works. Is it the dual timelines? The slow build-up of tension? The first-person narration? Borrow the technique, but fill it with your own story.

When I was struggling with pacing in my novel, I studied books with strong momentum. I didn’t copy their words—I analyzed how they kept me hooked. Then I applied those techniques to my own book.

5. Write the book only you can write

At the end of the day, what makes a book truly unique is you. Your perspective, your experiences, your way of seeing the world—that’s something no one else can replicate.

I’ve had people ask me, What if someone writes the same idea as me? And my answer is always the same: They won’t write it like you will.

Two writers could start with the same idea, but they’d end up with completely different books. Why? Because their personal lens shapes the story.

If you borrow an idea, make it personal. Infuse it with your own insights, emotions, and life experiences. That’s how you make it yours.

6. Trust that your voice will shine through

In my early days as a writer, I worried that if I admired another author’s style too much, I’d end up sounding like them. But over time, I realized something: your voice isn’t something you find—it’s something that emerges as you write.

The more you write, the more you’ll notice patterns in your storytelling. Certain themes, word choices, and rhythms will naturally come through. You won’t sound like anyone else because you’re not anyone else.

So don’t be afraid to be inspired. Just remember to filter everything through your own unique perspective.

The best writers steal—but they steal smart

The next time you worry about being “original,” remind yourself: every great writer borrows. The key is to do it with intention.

Borrow techniques, not words.
Combine influences in unexpected ways.
Trust that your voice will make it unique.
Infuse your writing with your personal experiences.

If you do that, you won’t just “steal like a bestseller”—you’ll write a book that feels fresh, personal, and 100% you.

Now, tell me—who are your creative influences?

What books make you say, I wish I had written that? Let’s talk in the comments!

Two notes from me today:

I'm traveling for the next six weeks, visiting the London, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Uzbekistan. I may not be able to respond to your comments right away, but rest assured, I’ll get to them in due time. I'll keep you updated on my travels through notes and threads.
On Wednesday, I’m breaking down "Pre-Launch Strategies—Building Buzz Before You Publish."

That’s all from me today.

As always, thanks for reading.