Ideas: Where do you get them?

[Zofia]

Looking for candids on inspiration and hopefully to make a few acquaintances here. As an author, where does your inspiration come from on the regular? As a reader, what inspires you to grab a title (if book covers are out of the equation, of course)?

For myself, my in the works self-published series was prodded into existence by Documentary: Now, a lifelong love of Terry Pratchett, and a void when it comes to people taking digs at Lorraine Warren that needed to be filled. Most of the other characters are in many ways an amalgam of people from my real life.

So, yeah. That's about it. What inspires you, the reader of this thread opener, to do writerly or readership things?

[Zofia]

Zofia wrote: "Looking for candids on inspiration and hopefully to make a few acquaintances here. As an author, where does your inspiration come from on the regular? As a reader, what inspires you to grab a title..."

Also, as an aside: who else is getting advertisements for like, Helman's mayo single-serve packets? Is this a conspiracy?

[Dr.]

Zofia wrote: "Looking for candids on inspiration and hopefully to make a few acquaintances here. As an author, where does your inspiration come from on the regular? As a reader, what inspires you to grab a title..."

Hi Zofia :o)

I don't think one could be a writer just because he or she decides that its a cool thing to do; your life would have decided it for you :) If your soul's experiences to date had been significant, you might feel like you " MUST " share them- so in that sense, you don't even have a choice.

Happy writing and reading !

Jasmine

[Dave]

as an author (beginner) I find music to be a great help. i might hear a lyric and it inspires me to write.

and just being more open to the things around me.

[Dr.]

Dave wrote: "as an author (beginner) I find music to be a great help. i might hear a lyric and it inspires me to write.

and just being more open to the things around me."

Hi Dave :o)

Music- definitely! also, don't you find, that specific music puts you in a right mood for a certain chapter? for each chapter has a prevailing " mood" :)

Jasmine

[Jennifer]

For me, it's things I see around me. Also big inspirations for me are my daily Bible readings and sermons I hear.

[Dr.]

Jennifer wrote: "For me, it's things I see around me. Also big inspirations for me are my daily Bible readings and sermons I hear."

Dear Jennifer,

I hear you! The timeless truths.. we see them in Bible, and also- within the nature, all around us :o)

Jasmine

[[deleted user]]

I have both an insatiable curiosity about this world, its history and the Universe, plus have an extremely fertile imagination (it sometimes causes me insomnia because of unending ideas popping out in my mind), which pushed me into writing. As well, being 69 and a retired pensionner, writing is a perfect way to keep me busy in my old days.

[Zofia]

Michel wrote: "I have both an insatiable curiosity about this world, its history and the Universe, plus have an extremely fertile imagination (it sometimes causes me insomnia because of unending ideas popping out..."

It couldn't possibly be a better reason, Michel. :) The world is so vast and chaotic and cool and we're occasionally unlucky to be in it, but it's such a good happenstance that we're in it nonetheless. Will look forward to seeing your ideas!

[Zofia]

Dave wrote: "as an author (beginner) I find music to be a great help. i might hear a lyric and it inspires me to write.

and just being more open to the things around me."

Music's a brilliant way to get started. What sort of songs do you generally lean toward or does it depend on the genre or even the scene?

[Zofia]

Dr. wrote: "Zofia wrote: "Looking for candids on inspiration and hopefully to make a few acquaintances here. As an author, where does your inspiration come from on the regular? As a reader, what inspires you t..."

It's pretty nice that so far everyone's had different experiences attacking the medium. I think there's some truth in writers being very wrapped up in the process of writing. It's basically a form of shamanism that sometimes just ends in a story about a guy selling shoes.

[Zofia]

Jennifer wrote: "For me, it's things I see around me. Also big inspirations for me are my daily Bible readings and sermons I hear."

That's wonderful Jennifer! Keep writing and observing the world and finding those meanings in your day to day. :)

[Dr.]

Zofia wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Zofia wrote: "Looking for candids on inspiration and hopefully to make a few acquaintances here. As an author, where does your inspiration come from on the regular? As a reader, what in..."

Hi Zofia :o) I love how you call it shamanism.. I agree- its a form of magic!! and, sometimes, you just feel that the book is " writing itself"- feels fantastic when it happens :o)

Jasmine

[Cecelia]

Best ideas for historical mystery fiction set in The Gilded Age? Sounds simple to burrow into history books and mine the gems--the mansions, yachts, finery from Paris, not to mention jewels, furs, and fine dining.
Readers, however, expect more than period trappings, so the tumultuous Gilded Age (post-Civil War to WWI) is quarried for issues that resonate today--health food scares, exercise scams, financial trickery, and so on. My "Val and Roddy DeVere Gilded Age Series entwines these and other concerns in mystery novels featuring a romantic husband-and-wife team who turn sleuth in 1898-99. My goal: embed ideas that matter!
https://www.cecebooks.com

[Zofia]

Dr. wrote: "Zofia wrote: "Dr. wrote: "Zofia wrote: "Looking for candids on inspiration and hopefully to make a few acquaintances here. As an author, where does your inspiration come from on the regular? As a r..."

Definitely agree. :)

[Zofia]

Cecelia wrote: "Best ideas for historical mystery fiction set in The Gilded Age? Sounds simple to burrow into history books and mine the gems--the mansions, yachts, finery from Paris, not to mention jewels, furs, ..."

Nice. :) Do you find yourself gravitating to F. Scott Fitzgerald or authors of that ilk or is it more that you enjoy other mediums, i.e., music or dance or architecture?

[Cecelia]

A cluster of authors "capture" me, including Edith Wharton, Jack London--F. Scott and also Zelda Fitzgerald (a terrific artist whose work deserves attention. These and others beckon to the issues they implant/embed in their narratives. You nail it: architecture, music, the social scene. (While at my keyboard, I mentally live in the era of my fiction.) Thanks for raising important questions!

[Zofia]

Cecelia wrote: "A cluster of authors "capture" me, including Edith Wharton, Jack London--F. Scott and also Zelda Fitzgerald (a terrific artist whose work deserves attention. These and others beckon to the issues t..."

No worries at all. It's a cool time period to write about.

[Tim]

Evening, I often state "from dreams I awaken with stories to tell". Most of my writings are from dreams and sometimes nightmares which I share. I quickly jot them down so as to not forget them and expand on the ones I feel would be the most interesting.

[Dr.]

Tim wrote: "Evening, I often state "from dreams I awaken with stories to tell". Most of my writings are from dreams and sometimes nightmares which I share. I quickly jot them down so as to not forget them and ..."

Interesting, Tim :o)

May be your " dreams" is how "the universe" is communicating with you :o)

Jasmine

[Zofia]

Tim wrote: "Evening, I often state "from dreams I awaken with stories to tell". Most of my writings are from dreams and sometimes nightmares which I share. I quickly jot them down so as to not forget them and ..."

That's a perfect way to attack it. Do you ever feel like if you can't get something down in the moment it will just pop like a bubble and the next idea doesn't seem nearly as on point?

[[deleted user]]

Tim wrote: "Evening, I often state "from dreams I awaken with stories to tell". Most of my writings are from dreams and sometimes nightmares which I share. I quickly jot them down so as to not forget them and ..."

I also see my writing affected by dreams. I often suffer from insomnia because my imagination is in overdrive most of the time and I would have ideas pop in my head at night, making it difficult for me to get into deep sleep. In a way, that is a blessing for my writing but also a curse on my body, causing lack of sleep.

[Dr.]

Michel wrote: "Tim wrote: "Evening, I often state "from dreams I awaken with stories to tell". Most of my writings are from dreams and sometimes nightmares which I share. I quickly jot them down so as to not forg..."

Dear Michel,

I can second this- totally!! :o))) Also, because its easy for our brain to focus when its TOTALLY QUEIT and this is usually at night (at least if you have a family that is :)

Jasmine

Jasmine

[[deleted user]]

My two sons are well grown up, so no problem sleeping there. I also happen to snore like an old bear, so my wife exiled me to a separate bedroom, where I set up my laptop and write my novels. So, all is good in terms of sleeping.

[Dr.]

Michel wrote: "My two sons are well grown up, so no problem sleeping there. I also happen to snore like an old bear, so my wife exiled me to a separate bedroom, where I set up my laptop and write my novels. So, a..."

:))

[Edward]

I get most of my comedy plotline inspiration from three places: Idiot politicians, my dog and my lovingly chaotic wife.

[Arch]

I am not an author, but I am a writer. I write in my head, before writing my story. I tend to know my ending, before I start writing my story. I get inspirations from music, food, things I see.

As a reader, I don’t care for pictures on a book. A shirtless man doesn’t move me. A lot of time, the cover’s hero and/or heroine doesn’t match the hero and heroine inside the book. I like to imagine how the hero and heroine would look to me.

If book’s description and prologue, if there’s one, doesn’t catch my attention, then I will pass on the book. I don’t read first person books. If the book’s description hints that the hero and heroine are about sex, then I’ll pass on the book. Sex doesn’t move me.

I like to tension and no I am not talking about sex. I like chemistry. A lot of hero and heroines that I have read didn’t have chemistry and that threw me out of the book.

[Tim]

Zofia wrote: That's a perfect way to attack it. Do you ever feel like if you can't get something down in the moment it will just pop like a bubble and the next idea doesn't seem nearly as on point

Yes, if I don't write it down right then it's lost. The characters stay, it seems it's the locations and outline that slowly vanishes.

[Tim]

Dr. wrote: "Interesting, Tim :o)

May be your " dreams" is how "the universe" is communicating with you :o) Jasmine"

Could be...what a cool idea.

[Simon]

Hi Zofia :)

Inspiration comes as I'm writing, throwing the ball to the dog, in the shower, watching a movie, reading a book, chatting to people. Inspiration rarely comes to me when I'm working (my job). It's like my creative side switches off, although that might be decades of conditioning (I'm 52).

The ideas I do something about are the ones that stick around. I don't journal (I'm not against them, I don't use 'em), so if it hangs around I'll explore it a bit. Then I'll write bits and pieces for it. I know it's turning into a novel when my hands move on their own.

Hard to say what blurb I'm attracted to. My genres I typically go for are fantasy and sci-fi, but I read others. It has to be a character hook, with a large, world / universe impacting problem.
One of my favourite covers, that sticks with me to this day, is James Herbert's The Dark, first published in 1980. A simple cover of some weird humanoid emerging from the shadows. Covers like that: simple, focused and on-point.

for the record, Terry Pratchett is one of my favourite authors.

[Simon]

Michel wrote: "My two sons are well grown up, so no problem sleeping there. I also happen to snore like an old bear, so my wife exiled me to a separate bedroom, where I set up my laptop and write my novels. So, a..."

I snore worse now (I'm 52) and I've put on about ~20kgs over a decade. I'm thinking my wife is gonna boot me into another bed soon :)

[[deleted user]]

How come it is us men who get to snore the most and not women?

[Zofia]

Edward wrote: "I get most of my comedy plotline inspiration from three places: Idiot politicians, my dog and my lovingly chaotic wife."

Dogs and idiot politicians often mirror one another, except a dog's a dog. ;)

[Zofia]

Michel wrote: "How come it is us men who get to snore the most and not women?"

Don't believe her propaganda. Women snorers are real and sonorous.

[Zofia]

Simon wrote: "Hi Zofia :)

Inspiration comes as I'm writing, throwing the ball to the dog, in the shower, watching a movie, reading a book, chatting to people. Inspiration rarely comes to me when I'm working (my..."

Hi Simon! Visual inspiration can be an infinite source. I really dig the concept of the eyeball kick, and it works just as well for visual media as it does for storytelling. A gripping cover really can say a thousand words where you might have maybe a dozen written down for it.

Pratchett was one of the best among us for sure. A wit that was acerbic but never cruel. With every year that passes he travels further into legend.

[Simon]

Pratchett was one of the best among us for sure. A wit that was acerbic but never cruel. With every year that passes he travels further into legend.

That's a lovely way of putting it, Zofia. Very nice :)

[Simon]

Zofia wrote: "Michel wrote: "How come it is us men who get to snore the most and not women?"

Don't believe her propaganda. Women snorers are real and sonorous."

Yup. My sister-in-law is a snorer. Rattles the windows, if my brother-in-law (her husband) is to be believed. She now has to wear one of those little oxygen masks on her nose, and I forget what it is called.