What Inspires You to Write?

Today we’ll here from Gracie, a young (and prolific) author, who finds great ideas just about everywhere.

“What inspires me to write? So many things. I will list them below…

Dreams I have at night, that are so involved, and vivid, and believable. I write them down, and have turned two into books. One a novel (Dystopian), another a novella (Contemporary/Survival). It just seemed wrong to let them slip into eternity.

Other times, random things inspire me. Take, Biology last year. Did you know some viruses look just like giant robot spiders? There were so many other amazing things, that I took them all, and turned them into a Science Fiction.

Yet further, when reading the Bible, a particular story or person, will move me. I’ll feel the urge to tell the story again, from one of the people present’s eyes. It is amazing, and I learn so much about God, and the Bible, because I ask questions I never would have before.

Some movies and radio programs have also sparked my imagination. I take some circumstances, and use them as writing prompts. Upon finishing, the prompt has been changed, whittled, and sometimes obliterated completely, to fit the story that stemmed from it.

My history book has also been a wealth of ideas. So many people inspired and made me think. People I won’t mention, because I fully intend to write Historical Fictions about each of them. They all had strong character despite hardship, or, a lack of character and regretted it.

And then there are games I play with my sister and friends! Barbies, stuffed-animals, ourselves being the players… I got a novella/novel out of a game we played. I remembered the plot, and wrote it down over a few days. (Doing research for historical accuracy as I went, but, that is where it stopped.)

Music too! There is a song that has inspired me to write a story. I have it outlined.

And several comic strips! I have pulled several true stories from each. Chopping out, and pulling in, making them fiction. Adding and cutting, to have another outline, for a story about forgiveness and sacrifice… (I’m kind of excited about it.)

I suppose I’m a sponge, sucking up inspiration wherever it’s possible.”