Where do you find
Inspiration?
Last month I was lucky enough to lose my Bruce Springsteen
concert virginity. Yes, it’s true, I’d never seen The Boss in concert. Though
I’ve liked his music, I never went out and actually bought it. I’ll admit, had
a Springsteen concert not been on my husband’s bucket list, I probably would
not have gone. And that would have been
a mistake. So now you’re wondering… what’s the point of telling us this? One
word:
Inspiration.
Whether you’re a Bruce Springsteen fan or not, there is no
way to leave his concert uninspired. The reason I bring this up is because I
was worried that I had no ideas for my next book and mid way through his
concert, something popped into my head. Something that resembled the beginning
of a plot. That was the minute I started taking serious notes about my
surroundings in the concert venue. How could I make my story plausible? Who
were my characters and what if… Well, you know how that “what if” question works. And lo and behold, I have a skeleton idea for my next book. It’s not the
first time, I’ve been inspired by something on my husband’s bucket list. In
fact it’s the second time a book has evolved from one of the items on his “to
do” list. This has only made me realize how important it is to stick with my
husband when he plans his next adventure. Turns out his list is good for my
creative self.
What about you? Have you ever done something out of the norm
for you and been inspired by it?
20 comments:
I'm always inspired by artifacts and places from other times and civilizations, especially Ancient Egypt. I wrote an entire science fiction novel based on a really terrifying Aztec god I saw in a museum in Mexico - had to write the novel to get his ugly imagery out of my head LOL. Enjoyed the post, can see you scribbling notes in the midst of The Boss's concert!
Excellent idea. Stick with that man, he's a keeper. : 0 I totally lost my voice after my one and only Springsteen concert. But it was so worth it.
I also find inspiration from new to me things, through travel, talking to someone from a different culture to mine, or just taking a back road to get somewhere.
I have definitely been inspired by 'out of my norm experiences' :) My norm is very small, but I have that travel bug. My hubby on the other hand is the type to drag the family to France to live for 3 months, and climb that hill "because it is THERE!"
However, I can proudly tell you, Springsteen concerts were my baby. I have been in love with Bruce since I was 16 though hubby didn't take any persuading to go to a concert (he's up for anything).
The last time I was inspired like that was on another cross country trip (who dives across Canada?). I'll take inspiration any way I can find it :)
Hi Dee J - My question is - if you get this inspired on your husband's bucket list - just think what could happen when you make your own! :) I know, you're too young to even think of that.
I think doing anything out of the norm is inspirational. Not everything ends up in a book, but it sure keeps those brain synapses hopping!
And see, your blog inspired me to write a blog about flying first class - for the first time in my life - and definitely something from my bucket list. !
So glad to know you've got another one up your sleeve. Your fans can thank your husband for it. ;p
Great post, Dee! I'm glad you got to see the Boss in concert -- I have yet to have that pleasure. I find inspiration in the unexpected, for instance, getting up in the middle of the night and a trick of the moonlight making me think there's a man sitting on a chair on my deck with a sword across his knees. That inspired a whole novel. :-)
I love antiquing. Stories of who might have owned some of the stuff I see always pop into my head. I haven't written a book about it yet, but it's simmering there in the background -
Great post, Dee J.!
Hi Dee - only writers "get" that while listening to The Boss sing in a stadium full of fans with music blazing, that YOUR mind would design a plot for your next book. The writers mind never stops! I love it when that happens.
When people ask where I get ideas, I say everywhere...but many of mine come to me in the shower!!
Hi Veronica,
Very cool on writing a novel based on an artifact! I can totally see that! As far as the concert... I wished I had something to write with! It's all in my head. LOL.
Hi Robena,
Yes, Bruce is absolutely worth the lost voice. I need to remember to keep doing things out of the norm for me.
Hi Toni,
Your husband sounds like a true adventurer! How fun! I agree with you, I'll take inspiration anywhere I can find it. :)
Hi Lynne,
I guess I should come up with my own bucket list, but my husband's keeps us pretty busy and it seems to be working for me. LOL. So glad my blog inspired you! Yay! That will keep me smiling all day. Oh, P.S. I only WISH I was too young for a BL. Haha.
Hi Marcelle,
I think waking up and thinking I saw a man with a sword outside would give me a heart attack!! But, I can see how that would inspire a book! Yay for the tricks our eyes play on us. LOL.
Hi Christine,
I totally see that... thinking about the history of a piece and coming up with an idea for a book. Just like Veronica. You two should get together and come up with something good. Thanks for coming by!
Hi Charlene!
You are so right! A writer's mind is always processing, right? And when we get that seed of an idea it's like a run away train. Doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing, the story, the questions, the whole idea won't stop taking shape. Thanks for coming by!
Yesterday the nurse practitioner was asking me this same question. I’m looking at the box of fifty needles she just opened and said, “right there.” She gave me a funny look. What if someone slipped an unknown solution into one of them.
Her eyes grew big. “Why would they do that?”
“To test a time travel drug.” I say “or … maybe someone wants to do me in so they can collect my millions.”
She says very seriously, “Do you want me to open another box?”
Writers get inspiration from everyplace. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Hi Rita,
That is funny. I can see her rounded eyes... "Why would they do that?" LOL. "Because..." I see a story brewing. Although, "Do you want me to open another box..." Too funny. A different story for every needle. LOL.
Bruce virgin here. :) So glad he and his concert inspired you! I'm trying to venture out of my comfort zone more often to get inspired by new and different things. Hubby recently asked if I'd go camping. Like in a tent. No bathroom. Wild animals. I said, sure! But meant, no way! (Maybe he'll forget?)
Robin, re: the camping. He won't forget. Trust me on this. Good luck.
Dee,
There's an anthology! Each story is about the drug or serum in the needle.
Hi Robin,
Stick to your guns. If you don't wanna go camping... don't go camping, but that doesn't mean you can't try something new or go outside your comfort zone in a 5 star hotel. LOL. I did the camping thing years ago. I'm too old now. I need a clean shower and bathrooms. And no spiders next to me when I wake up in the morning. But I do recommend Bruce if you get the chance.
Toni,
You are so right. What is it with men and camping? Wait. I think I know... they get to pee outside in a bush. LOL.
Rita,
Look at you go. Call it the Needle Anthology. Scary.
I opened a bottle of wine last night. As soon as the foil peeled away, I saw moisture and caught a whiff of wine gone bad. Rather than, damn, it corked, I thought, hmm... look at that dark spot in the cork. What if someone injected something into the wine...
I love the idea that inspiration can come from pretty much anywhere. My inspiration for FUR BALL FEVER came from reading a newspaper article about a pet charity extravaganza--the annual Fur Ball. Keep doing cool stuff with that husband of yours.
Hi Cathy,
I'd like to think I'd have that same reaction, but I'd probably just be angry. LOL. (Where's my wine? Dammit! Haha.) There's another beginning to a good mystery/suspense. I love how writers can make the most of something mundane. Thanks for dropping in!
Hi Maureen,
I love that title. Fur Ball Fever! It's so true how inspiration can come from anywhere (at anytime). And, yeah... I'm sticking with my hubby. He's an adventurer. (He's used to dragging me out of the house. )
I think the best inspiration is when I've been roped into something I didn't want to do at all or bucked against and I found happiness. Divine intervention! Great blog!!
Hi Anne,
Thanks! I also think a good attitude is important when being "roped into something" so we stay open to ideas and possibilities. Thanks for coming by and congrats to you on the new release, Rum Punch Regrets!
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