Mary Newman's Blog - Posts Tagged "ideas"
Writing Prompts
So, where do I get my ideas from? Good question and there's not a simple answer. My first romance was a conglomeration of ideas gleaned from years of being a romance reader. I'd read a book - particularly a fantasy or scifi romance - and think: Wow! I wonder what would have happened if...
Eventually, they all came together and I started putting them on paper. From there it just kind of morphed into an actual book that set on my shelf for about ten years before I finally decided to publish it myself.
Each following book, after the first one, was a side character which would start whispering. I'd get a little tableau in my head and make notes, before finally trying to turn them into a story.
The first two books were hard to write. I would get stumped or go off on some tangent and have to go back and find my way. But, by the third book, it was like a light bulb went off. While writing the end of the Love Trilogy, Love Awakened, another character caught my attention and I had to start a fourth before I'd even finished the third.
Which is what happened when I started the current series. Mango was a side character that caught at my heart because of his solemn, almost sad, demeanor. From his book, His Warrior's Heart (and Following Fael) Bostel popped out and he was so damned irritating I just had to give him his own story. Initially, I was going to give him his comeuppance, but that didn't work out after I got to know him. There are now three books in The Brethren series, with the first published, and two waiting in the wings to complete the process. A fourth is currently being written.
I've got this entire world living in my head and I'm still getting ideas. They come from family and friends, a particular scene in another book I've read that I think "what if", standing in line at the grocery store and overhearing a conversation, or even seeing some commercial on TV. They come from just about any place, at any time.
From reading posts from other writers and interviews on blogs, I don't think I'm alone in this. I guess the simplest answer of where we get our ideas from is "everywhere". So if you're reading a book sometime and something sounds kind of familiar, it probably is. More than likely, you saw the same commercial, photo, drawing, cartoon, etc. the author did, but he/she took off with it and made it a story.
You're welcome.
Eventually, they all came together and I started putting them on paper. From there it just kind of morphed into an actual book that set on my shelf for about ten years before I finally decided to publish it myself.
Each following book, after the first one, was a side character which would start whispering. I'd get a little tableau in my head and make notes, before finally trying to turn them into a story.
The first two books were hard to write. I would get stumped or go off on some tangent and have to go back and find my way. But, by the third book, it was like a light bulb went off. While writing the end of the Love Trilogy, Love Awakened, another character caught my attention and I had to start a fourth before I'd even finished the third.
Which is what happened when I started the current series. Mango was a side character that caught at my heart because of his solemn, almost sad, demeanor. From his book, His Warrior's Heart (and Following Fael) Bostel popped out and he was so damned irritating I just had to give him his own story. Initially, I was going to give him his comeuppance, but that didn't work out after I got to know him. There are now three books in The Brethren series, with the first published, and two waiting in the wings to complete the process. A fourth is currently being written.
I've got this entire world living in my head and I'm still getting ideas. They come from family and friends, a particular scene in another book I've read that I think "what if", standing in line at the grocery store and overhearing a conversation, or even seeing some commercial on TV. They come from just about any place, at any time.
From reading posts from other writers and interviews on blogs, I don't think I'm alone in this. I guess the simplest answer of where we get our ideas from is "everywhere". So if you're reading a book sometime and something sounds kind of familiar, it probably is. More than likely, you saw the same commercial, photo, drawing, cartoon, etc. the author did, but he/she took off with it and made it a story.
You're welcome.
A Week to Remember
Originally, this blog was going to be about what and who inspired my writing and how ideas turned into books. This week was all about that... And then some.
Monday started out relatively normal. Since I knew I would be going to the hospital that evening with the youngest daughter to support her as she had her first baby, I was just making sure I had everything in order to leave for a night and maybe part of the next day. Best laid plans, huh? Normal hasn't had a place in this entire week. Where to begin?
A simple induction didn't work out. After twenty some hours of no progress, my baby girl was taken into surgery to deliver her baby girl by cesarean. Mom and baby are doing fine, now. Grandma? Still catching my breath and trying to calm my nerves. While I was busy being strong for my daughter I kind of forgot to be there for myself.
Writing was put on hold and taking notes for ideas went out the window. Sleeping was entirely overrated. Who knew I could go with none for thirty hours at this age? I don't recommend it, however.
I'm still a ways from normal, since I'll be hosting mommy and baby for a couple of days when she gets out of hospital. That should be today, sometime. My little RV will be much easier for her to get around than her upstairs rooms at her house. Her SO also has to return to work, so she needs the extra helping hands for a bit. And, I get to spoil my newest grandchild. It's a win-win for me.
So, about those ideas? When you have that much family around waiting for a little one to make their appearance you get some real gems. The poor SO's family razzed him unmercifully when they found out I'd included his traits (and a few sayings he's well-known for) in a story, but the character I borrowed him for was bisexual. I've already put the SO's family on notice they will be appearing in future books, and they may not survive. *Evil cackling laugh* I LOVE being a writer.
Monday started out relatively normal. Since I knew I would be going to the hospital that evening with the youngest daughter to support her as she had her first baby, I was just making sure I had everything in order to leave for a night and maybe part of the next day. Best laid plans, huh? Normal hasn't had a place in this entire week. Where to begin?
A simple induction didn't work out. After twenty some hours of no progress, my baby girl was taken into surgery to deliver her baby girl by cesarean. Mom and baby are doing fine, now. Grandma? Still catching my breath and trying to calm my nerves. While I was busy being strong for my daughter I kind of forgot to be there for myself.
Writing was put on hold and taking notes for ideas went out the window. Sleeping was entirely overrated. Who knew I could go with none for thirty hours at this age? I don't recommend it, however.
I'm still a ways from normal, since I'll be hosting mommy and baby for a couple of days when she gets out of hospital. That should be today, sometime. My little RV will be much easier for her to get around than her upstairs rooms at her house. Her SO also has to return to work, so she needs the extra helping hands for a bit. And, I get to spoil my newest grandchild. It's a win-win for me.
So, about those ideas? When you have that much family around waiting for a little one to make their appearance you get some real gems. The poor SO's family razzed him unmercifully when they found out I'd included his traits (and a few sayings he's well-known for) in a story, but the character I borrowed him for was bisexual. I've already put the SO's family on notice they will be appearing in future books, and they may not survive. *Evil cackling laugh* I LOVE being a writer.
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