Ripped from the headlines

Where do writers get their ideas? It's a frequent question, and one that rarely satisfies everyone. Often it's a random thought, a comment from a friend or loved one--anything, really. Even, say, something from the news.

Admit it, how often have you heard, "You couldn't make this shit up!" And I've found it's true: reality is far more screwed up than the imaginations of most authors. And the news item doesn't have to be a bizarre headline, either. It could be a rather dry report that gets twisted into a story idea, because all you need is that seed (the headline), a little water (your imagination), and then sit back and watch it grow.

Let's do an exercise. While sitting writing this, a headline popped up on my news site. Tragically, several Marines died in a training accident in Nevada. This is truly horrible, but my mind immediately went to "Nevada = Area 51." Okay, what if those deaths were due to aliens in the area, perhaps a vanguard of BEMs (bug-eyed monsters) getting ready for an invasion, and the soldiers happened upon them? The government would surely cover something like that up, right? The world is in dire peril, and everyone is kept in the dark--except your intrepid hero, who braves the might of the miliary to blow the whistle and save humanity.

Okay, not very original, nor very well developed. But you get my drift. Ideas can come from anywhere. So the next time your reading the newpaper, pick a headline and see if you can come up with a story idea. After all, it's just a matter of turning it into what scares you.