Where do you get your story ideas from? Do tell!
Keep writing….
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
SHORT STORY IDEAS
I’m always on the lookout for short ideas and very interested to learn where other writers get their ideas from. Reading loads of stories fact and fiction often inspires me. It could be a news headline, a sentence or me asking what if this happened instead – where would the story go then? Overhearing conversations sparks my imagination, or observing an interesting character will prompt my creativity. My dreams help and of course there is my muse, when stories just pop into my head and I gratefully snatch them. I have also found other ways to be inspired. Paula Williams has a regular spot in Writer’s Forum (UK mag) called The Writers’ Idea Store where she presents a fiction square where you roll a dice and circle all the ingredients for your next story. Today I stumbled across a website which lists short story ideas. This got the juices fired up.
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All valid sources, Diane - I get mine from everyday life, the places, people, incidents, or from history. I also love getting inspiration from paintings and have written a couple of stories that way.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere, Diane. Something I see, something I hear, a snippet in a newspaper, memories, a picture, or just something that arrives from nowhere. I've never been able to get a story out of a story generator though - it just doesn't spark anything for me x
ReplyDeleteCertain pictures and memories can do it for me. Once, on a train journey, I sat opposite a lady whose features fascinated me so much I went home and started a story.
ReplyDeleteJust like the other two ladies my ideas jump into my head when I am (usually) busy doing something else - god bless the notebook!! I have found in the past that looking for an idea is fruitless, the more I try the worse it gets. However, overhearing a snatch of a conversation can send me scribbling into my trusted notebook. x
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning my column, Diane. I am going to put one of my fiction squares on my website so that people who don't get WF can see what it's all about. However, when I'm not using that, I have to confess I get many of my story ideas from my family, friends and neighbours - which is a bit worrying because I write a lot of crime stories. And no, I don't always tell them!
ReplyDeleteMy inspiration nearly always come from something I've read, be it another story, an article in a newspaper or writing magazine. They don't come often enough for me I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteAll of the above, but I often think of a 'first line' and a story will flow from there.
ReplyDeleteOften I don't know where the idea came from - I'll suddenly be thinking of a character or situation and will realise it might make a story.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for stopping by and leaving comments. I was very interested to know where you all get your ideas from, and appreciate it that you shared them with me. Some really great ideas there that I am sure I will use. You have been most helpful. All of you. Hugs. x
ReplyDeletePaula - you are welcome. I do enjoy reading your column. Still laughing about where you get your story ideas about and what you mostly write. Great idea about putting one of your fiction squares on your website.
I am finding a lot of material from being a stay-at-home Dad. Now if I could just find the time to actually write more than a blog. One day I will do something about it because coming to blogs like yours is motivation to get me going. Thanks Diane, and have a nice weekend.
ReplyDeleteAwww thank you so much for that compliment Mr Shife. Your blog is very entertaining and it is obvious you can write. Make that 'one day' now and just do it! I hope your weekend is going well :-)
DeleteI find inspiration in so many things, conversations, a photo, etc, but my problem is not forgetting them and remembering to write the ideas down before I forget them.
ReplyDeleteHi Debs. Thanks for your comment. I broke my own rule last night. I was so tired and these ideas came to me about a short story I am drafting. Did I get up and write them down? NO! My mind was telling me to get up, but my body totally refused. I am kicking myself this morning. Hopefully I remember those ideas before the day is out. x
DeleteEverywhere, and anywhere, there are ideas in abundance all around us. We shall never run out of ideas.
ReplyDeleteMostly though, I start with one word, and write. Usually my brain will find something to put on the page.
Newspaper headlines, pictures, an overheard conversation have all triggered ideas for me in the past. My favourite is perhaps old objects. I often wonder who used it before, when, and why etc
I've never managed to dream a good story yet!
Thanks for that Maria. I like what you said 'we shall never run out of ideas'. Sounds very reassuring. x
ReplyDelete"Where do you get your story ideas from? Do tell!"
ReplyDeleteI just wait for something to come along that fires my imagination, though I sometimes I get a spark off other people, when something they say sets my mind wandering.
Hello Mr V. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Ah, what would us writers do without our wandering minds?
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