The Source of Inspiration
Jan 13, 2014 
Since I actively joined the blogosphere, way back forever
ago, I’ve gotten to know a lot of other writers. One of the things I love
learning is where they draw their inspiration from.
Last week, Kimberly Afe talked about her inspiration for her
book, The Headhunter’s Race. A Zelda commercial, and poof! idea.
book, The Headhunter’s Race. A Zelda commercial, and poof! idea.
My awesome friend, Amy Sonnichsen, talked about her inspiration for
Red Butterfly (S&S, 2015!!) HERE. Her sympathy for another’s plight led to a
beautiful story.
Red Butterfly (S&S, 2015!!) HERE. Her sympathy for another’s plight led to a
beautiful story.
J.K. Rowling dreamed of a boy with a lightning-shape scar,
and Stephanie Meyer dreamed of vampires. Inspiration that served them well.
and Stephanie Meyer dreamed of vampires. Inspiration that served them well.
The very first book I wrote was inspired by a longing to
return to my youth. To an easier, more carefree time. I’d just turned 19 which
(for a reason completely unknown to me now) was a huge deal to me. I was a
freshman in college, living on my own, having to be totally responsible for
myself. I had no one pushing me to do what needed doing.
return to my youth. To an easier, more carefree time. I’d just turned 19 which
(for a reason completely unknown to me now) was a huge deal to me. I was a
freshman in college, living on my own, having to be totally responsible for
myself. I had no one pushing me to do what needed doing.
And I remembered. Remembered the carefree days of exploring
the jungle of our backyard ditch. Of racing off on my bicycle with my brother
to go dig in the empty lot around the corner. And I wanted it back. The book
was a joy to write, because I just relived all the wonderfully crazy moments of
my childhood. I even included the awful ones that now make me giggle: getting
trampled by the whole soccer field; getting thrown in the ditch by my sister.
the jungle of our backyard ditch. Of racing off on my bicycle with my brother
to go dig in the empty lot around the corner. And I wanted it back. The book
was a joy to write, because I just relived all the wonderfully crazy moments of
my childhood. I even included the awful ones that now make me giggle: getting
trampled by the whole soccer field; getting thrown in the ditch by my sister.
When I rewrote it (as my 3rd book), my inspiration came from
the present instead of the past. Foreclosures were popping up everywhere, and I
couldn’t help wondering how kids were handling it. I needed an outlet to express myself. The two ideas morphed, and
it became my first query-able book.
the present instead of the past. Foreclosures were popping up everywhere, and I
couldn’t help wondering how kids were handling it. I needed an outlet to express myself. The two ideas morphed, and
it became my first query-able book.
I was thrilled when I finally “finished,” but I
was worried . . . where in the world I would find another book idea?
was worried . . . where in the world I would find another book idea?
—
—
—
Which now makes me laugh. Because they come at me from
everywhere. A cold became the idea for a humorous MG. A scary dream became an idea for an MG Horror. A horrible real-life
event became an idea for a YA Contemporary. A Wedding Dinner in France became
the idea for a novel set in France. My soccer team became the idea for a work
of adult fiction. They come at me so fast, I know I’ll never actually write
many of them.
everywhere. A cold became the idea for a humorous MG. A scary dream became an idea for an MG Horror. A horrible real-life
event became an idea for a YA Contemporary. A Wedding Dinner in France became
the idea for a novel set in France. My soccer team became the idea for a work
of adult fiction. They come at me so fast, I know I’ll never actually write
many of them.
But that’s okay. Because some ideas rise to the top. And the
best ideas will get written because they keep on inspiring until they must be put on paper for the world to see.
best ideas will get written because they keep on inspiring until they must be put on paper for the world to see.
That’s the way inspiration works. At least for me.
Where does your inspiration come from?
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YAY for Amy! She's so sweet. Got to love her.
I regularly find inspiration in nature and/or music. Nature stimulates both sight and sound in me. It also is sort of a time machine, for me. During certain types of weather or specific songs, I tend to remember scenes from my life. This usually moves emotions within me and sparks ideas.
Inspiration can come when you least expect it. I enjoy hearing how authors come up with the ideas for their books. Thanks for sharing yours.
One thing I know for sure: Inspiration doesn't show up when you demand and require its presence. (Just like your Muse.)
Inspiration is flighty and hard to pin down. It comes when it comes — and it's a good idea to quickly jot those ideas down while you've got them. Because you think you'll remember … and then you don't.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog today. You made me smile at work, and that is not always easy!
My ideas come in the oddest ways and when I least expect it. Like you, I have tons of ideas but I'll never be able to write them all. 🙂
Love this post! I'm like you- so many ideas, but only so much time. =)
I don't think there's any *usual* place. But I love knowing that an idea can really come at any time, from anywhere.
My inspiration comes from observation, then thinking What If. There are no shortage of stories just by walking out the front door every day.
Janet, I hope you will stop by and accept the award I've nominated you for.