Although, now that I've paid the bill for the cover, I'm more than anxious to get it written and out the door, lol. I'm not sure if that's inspiration or not, but certainly it's motivation to say the least.
Which leads me to today's topic: Inspiration.
Where does it come from?
What inspires you?
The easy answer is "Life." Most of us put pieces of ourselves or our lives into our work - it's inevitable. Then there are the stories we hear -- or overhear -- from others that make us think "what if..."
And I have to admit, I find inspiration in strange spots, sometimes, like Scientific American. Or the odd newspaper article about a plane crash. Or a television news report of a shark attack. Or...
Face it. Inspiration can come from just about anywhere. But what changes an incident or a remark into the spark for a story? Do certain people's minds just take that extra leap and start spinning, creating spiderwebs of connections and characters? Or is it learned behavior - once you start down the path of being a writer, your brain purposefully looks at the everyday in a different way?
I've been reading a lot in the last week (seriously a lot. Like 3 whole books on Saturday alone. 2 more on Sunday.) And it never ceases to amaze me when I read something fresh, and wonder where the author got that certain inspiration. They say there are only so many unique ideas out there, but it's how an author approaches it that makes all the difference.
My next question about inspiration is a little harder: Once you have the spark of an idea, what inspires you to see it through? To spend hours, days, weeks... 100,000 words to reach "the end."
This second question was asked at a writer panel I was part of recently, and one of the guys on the panel answered: "Money." I was thinking, oh honey, you're in the WRONG business. If you're inspired to write because of a desire to make the big bucks, publishing is not really the place to be.
Unfortunately, that question went all the way down the panel and I had to answer it too -- cue the smell of brain cells burning in furious thought -- but by the time it was my turn, I'd realized what inspired me.
Readers. Fans, in particular.
I love hearing from readers who've enjoyed my books, but this summer I had the distinct pleasure to meet a few particularly excited young women who LOVED my books and my characters. I can't describe the thrill that went down my spine, seeing the excitement in their faces. So yeah, I know what inspires me to publish.
Now I jut need to find some motivation - and actual story inspiration.
All ideas are welcome.
Happy Writing!
Hmm--good questions. My stories all have a thread of reinvention, a heroine who's somehow stuck in an ordinary life and creates something extraordinary, but still within the realm of "real life." I've never felt called to write fantasy, thriller or historical stories, though I have dabbled in horror--still set in the "real world," which can be pretty damn scary. My motivation to finish a story? I'm an achievement junkie, and get tremendous juice from that feeling of accomplishment. I wish you happy writing in September.
ReplyDeleteAchievement junkie sounds great! I had a list of milestones when I started out - first manuscript, first rejection, first contract, first book, first book signing, first book signing in an actual bookstore... the usual, as my kids would say. Once the firsts are gone, though, then what? It's always fun to type "the end" or get a new contract, but the thrill isn't the same. I find I need new goals and new inspirations as I move forward in this journey....
DeleteDarling girl!!!! I lovelovelove this post. I, too, find the inspiration AND the motivation to write those 100+ words from my readers and friends! And like you, I always wonder where the fresh telling of a story comes from - and I hope when I tell a story someone says that about me too! Tweeted! Your blog posts are always thought provoking and YES _ inspirational!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting, Peggy - you never fail to make me smile with your enthusiasm! I wish we lived closer so we could meet for coffee once in a while, but I guess I'll settle for comments and Facebook.
DeleteLove you and your books!
I don't think we have any learned behaviors when it comes to inspiration. We're born with the 'What-if' gene. That's what makes us writers. Motivation can be hard sometimes, though. I just signed another contract after three years. I figured out that I needed to talk the story out. Enter - my twin sister. She's also a story teller.
ReplyDeleteThat's great to have someone to help with the inspiration :-)
DeleteThe "what if" gene - I like that! Thanks for stopping by!
So many things seem to inspire me... my life, daydreaming stories, or like you, every day news. I think I write because I like happy endings,closure, love...and I like hope. For me it comes down to hope. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to look at it - thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI’m always amazed at where inspiration can be found. What if’ is big one for me. I take normal individuals and turn them into extraordinary paranormal characters. Sitting in my sunroom even a bird hopping across the grass caring a cricket will engage me in a what if scenario. I’ve always had an over active imagination and it serves me well. I enjoyed your wonderful post. Thanks Katie!
ReplyDeleteOveractive imagination seems to be a prerequisite to be an author, lol! Happy Writing, Tena!
DeleteThank you for the thoughtful post. Lucky you to be on a panel and also meet avid readers.
ReplyDeleteI have more inspiration than time.
Thanks, Charlotte. I admit I always feel like a fish out of water when I'm invited to speak, since I always feel like the least successful person at the table - and then I open my big mouth and jump right in like I know what I'm talking about, lol.
DeleteAnd the time will come - jot down the inspirations when you have them and put them aside. With my youngest freshly out of the nest, I'm finally anticipating more time... just need to get over the sadness first :-)
Excellent post Katie! You're the best. Inspiration comes from everywhere for me. My latest book is set on a horse breeding ranch and I got the idea from spending time with yoga clients in Rancho Santa Fe, where everyone has horses. Relationships, travel, past careers...I can't pin any one down. I love meeting readers too!
ReplyDeleteYou're right - Inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere. It's fascinating to me to see what little thing can spark a whole book. Looking forward to reading more from you, Claire! Love your books!
DeleteMy inspiration usually comes from research about the era: non-fiction history books, historical mysteries and novels set in the same time period. Then the characters appear, I'm not sure from where. Sometimes a picture inspires me, or even a person I encounter casually. Rarely do I use people close to me in books, but I did when I was first writing. As for what inspires me to write to the end, stories have been my escape since I was a child. I write to escape into another world. Even when I'm happy with my real life, I need this escape because it gives me a sense of control, which you never really have in real life. I can shape this world and make things end happily, and unfortunately, I can't do that in real life. Great questions, Katie! Best wishes.
ReplyDelete