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What’s something not related to writing, that inspires the most story ideas?
Although story ideas pop-up randomly while doing the strangest activities for me, there is something that almost always inspires many stories ideas that is completely unrelated to writing. And that is: staring out a window on a long car drive while listening to music.
It’s almost like I’m being transported to a new world were I’m no longer myself and I’m going on spectacular journeys. Without even trying, new characters, worlds, and ideas, spring to life.
(Writing this suddenly makes me want to go on a long car ride). XD
So what activity or thing unrelated to writing inspires story ideas for you? (So not reading or watching movies.)
@kathleenramm Recently I was looking at a really pretty piece of art and I wanted to write a story off of it but I couldn’t think of one so I set it as my desktop wallpaper and then last week I woke up in the middle of the night with an epiphany of the story I wanted to tell…
But art, watching movies, and listening to music are all probably related to writing, probably. I guess then, probably sleeping, or when I’m dozing off. Then I just imagine fictional scenarios or dream things.
But doing anything, really. Even looking at memes XD
Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into days- Rank: Eccentric Mentor
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@kathleenramm Well, that’s an interesting question. I won’t be repetitive and say that music is one of my biggest inspirations (even though it definitely is), so let me see.
The Number One Giver of Inspiration is Holy Spirit. Without a doubt, He inspires most, if not all, of my stories–and if not the specific story idea, then the plot, the message (of course), a character, etc. Whenever I’m asked how I came up with the idea for Held Captive, I just look at them and say, in all sincerity, after having wracked my brain for months trying to come up with an answer, “God.”
When it’s not the forbidden books, movies, and music, it’s talking with my mom. I get ideas for all sorts of things, from blog posts to stories to characters, when I talk to my mom. We’ll have lengthy discussion about all kinds of things–and one of my favorites is theology/philosophy.
And I get all kinds of ideas just from me. As in, having lengthy discussions with me. 😆
I got a really great idea from a dream I had last night. Which is actually a rarity. It was the most normal dream I’ve had in a long time, so…
I will indeed be repetitive and say music XD. I have a very vivid imagination and just listening to music and imagining worlds and characters….it’s just so incredible. It’s a bit hard to explain. It just gives me joy, especially when it’s something your like “OH MY WORD!! That makes sense!!!” Or a brand new character or idea.
Also, does looking up names online count? Lol. If I want a new character or am trying to come up with their names (and when I was trying to come up the idea for my standalone) I searched for baby names, because certain names (especially with pics) gives me inspiration. I’d found the name Tempest and Reverie online, (along with November and Bear. One of which is in my standalone and the other in my series I’m planning)
But Reverie then turned into Reven, and Tempest is my main character!
@gracie-j
And yes, talking out ideas with others is awesome! From my fam, to my best friend!
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSebWashing dishes has a tendency to give me time and quiet to think. I actually came up with an entire letter from one of my characters to his politician protege that was directly inspired by washcloths. XD
But in more general terms, theological and philosophical discussions (like @gracie-j mentioned) are a big one. Also just theological/philosophical questions I have on my own that I want to explore and figure out through writing.
Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Singer. Worldbuilding enthusiast.
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@godlyfantasy12 Oh, yes, name research is high up there on my inspiration list. I love looking up the origins and meanings behind names–and words themselves–which always inspires something.
@r-m-archer 😆 Washing dishes isn’t as quiet for me (I have six youngers siblings) as it probably is for you, but it’s the only time I’m not bombarded by said siblings (I’ll put them to work, y’all), so I’ve had some moments by the kitchen sink, too. I think I tend to flesh out my ideas whilst in that position, and my baby siblings have been known to lend a hand with the stroke of inspiration–or at least I blame said inspiration upon them. 😉@gracie-j I have four younger siblings, and they’re definitely noisy, so it’s honestly kind of weird that washing dishes is as quiet as it is. XD I guess the kitchen just isn’t as high-traffic and the running water helps muffle the “distant” sibling racket, lol.
Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Singer. Worldbuilding enthusiast.
- Rank: Eccentric Mentor
- Total Posts: 1789
@r-m-archer It’s definitely quieter there than at the dinner table. But then, half of my siblings are toddlers, so they’re ten times louder than the average human being.
@gracie-j Yeahhh, that would get loud. My brother is consistently loud, and my youngest sister is often loud in response, so they make up the most consistent noise. And then there’s the younger sister who occasionally screams/screeches at the top of her lungs when she’s upset… But yeah, several toddlers all at once would be the more consistent high-volume group, lol.
Speculative fiction author. Mythology nerd. Singer. Worldbuilding enthusiast.
- Rank: Eccentric Mentor
- Total Posts: 1789
@r-m-archer Definitely. Considering all but one of my siblings love to talk and be obnoxious, it’s pretty much loud all the way around.
Haha, I never imagined someone could get story ideas from memes. XD
Oooh, why didn’t I think of dreams? While falling asleep is one of my favorite times to create or play out story ideas. Have you ever gotten a story idea from an actual dream?
@gracie-j
Yes! Lengthy story discussions! I’ve spent hundreds of hours with my siblings talking about stories. Both our stories and others’ stories. Not only do these discussions give me so much inspiration to write, but also I learn so much about storytelling. By talking about what worked in a book/movie, what didn’t, and why, and how we would write it differently to make it better. XD Now thinking about it, stories are probably the thing I’ve talked most about in my entire life… not mad about it though. It’s cool that you and your Mom likes to talk about stories. Does she read your stories?
Totally makes sense. The right music at the right time can feel like magic. Also, it’s cool how names inspire story ideas! Are Reven and Tempest a part of your fantasy series, or they a part of a different project?
Yeah, both cleaning cooking are great times to brainstorm story ideas.
It also reminds me of the quote by Agatha Christie, “The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes. ” XD
@kathleenramm Not really, haha. The closest would be a few days ago when I dreamed I was watching Makoto Shinkai’s new non-existent anime. When I woke up I really wanted to write it down, but I forgot the ending, unfortunately.
Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into daysThey’re in my standalone novel. Hoping to finish the first draft of it in November.
Tempest is the main character and narrator. Reven is her best friend. Almost like a little brother to her.
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSebI believe I posted the synopsis for the standalone on either my first post (called Hola! 😂) or the WIP Chat post.
#IfMarcelDiesIRiot
#ProtectMarcel
#ProtectSeb- Rank: Eccentric Mentor
- Total Posts: 1789
@kathleenramm I’ve been telling myself stories to lull myself to sleep at night for years! I honestly don’t think I wouldn’t have ever started writing if I hadn’t first “wrote” the stories in my mind!
Actually, my mom and I talk about pretty much everything but books/stories. She’s not a reader, and I can never make any sense to anyone when talking about my story ideas. But I get my inspiration from other discussions I’ve had with her, from God to movies to recipes. She does read my work–sometimes I’ll ask her to read something that I think turned out really good–but most of the time it’s once I’ve finished a manuscript so that she and my dad can “censor” it. 😋
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