Inspiration

Where do you get your story ideas, whether it be for a short story or a novel? I get my ideas by living life. Taking walks in the pine forests, or on the beach. Of course the media kicks out a lot of good ideas. And my friends and family give me tidbits to work with. In my youth I read many books, both fiction and nonfiction, and this is a habit I continue through today.

Of course there are many disasters in any person’s life, and these are good fodder for stories. The pet dog runs away, and do the kids in the family chase him down or wait for him to come home? Another story: the mother of the family feels weak and tired day after day, until her husband takes her to the doctor and learns she has cancer and has less than six months to live. And again: a young Maya Indian girl learns to play a magic drum and takes on a deadly demon in a battle to the finish. The idea came from some pictures I saw, of Maya dancers and musicians. Finally, I served as a soldier for several years, and those experiences gave me many story ideas.

But that’s my inspiration. Let’s return to the beginning of this post. Where do you find your story ideas? Whether you are a writer or a reader, it can’t hurt to keep your eyes open to the world around you. Live, and read!