What is your primary source of writing inspiration?

[Rebecca]

What is your primary source of writing inspiration?

[Hisart]

I tried to vote for other but got this instead ...

Invalid $idname specified. If you followed a valid link, please contact us.:eek:

I rely on my imagination for the story and characters. Seeing as I am still human, contrary to some reports, all character reactions are based off of Experience! This comes from being in contact with Family and Friends through my Life Experiences during the Current Events that I am living through! I also like to read Other Works which no doubt have an influence on me.

I don't see an All Of The Above button.:D

God Bless!
Hisart (http://Hisart.us):cool:

[Keith Wallis]

Same situation as Hisart for me Rebecca.

[paulchernoch]

Inspiration. I derive inspiration from different sources for different aspects of my story.

For personal, human touches, I draw on personal experiences a lot, and friends and family a little.
For plot twists and fantastic touches, I draw on the books I've read.
For things that my characters can talk about, and occasional political commentary, I rely on Current events.
For themes and symbolism, I rely on the Bible.

For everything else, there's Google. (Bet you thought I was going to say MasterCard!)

- Paul

[Rebecca]

The poll is fixed now. Enjoy! :)

Rebecca

[ProfessorAlan]

Basic plot elements come from my experiences, and those of people I know or have heard of. Most characters have some trait (physical or personality) that allows me to identify that character with someone I know.

[Lookin^Up]

Mostly from life experiences, but the other 4 specific choices figure in the mix somewhere as well. Especially the first and second ones, family and friends, are frequent sources of characters' names and/or personalities.

[writegirl1949]

Hurray ... it's fixed.

The inspiration for my plots comes from current events as my purpose is to use social issues and try to shed light on them.

For characters and emotional/spiritual issues, I draw on personal experience -- either in my own life or the lives of friends or family. BUT, I make sure the characters and/or the issues are far removed from those friends and family. I would never expose those kinds of things so that they might be identified.

Blessings, Francine

[righter1]

I tend to get the spark from something I hear on the news, since my books are mysteries with a background in current events type stuff. If I find news articles that are interesting, I clip them and save them for future reference. Or, something one of the myriad of radio shows I listen to may spark a small idea and I'll write it down, or say it into my voice recorder for future cogitation.

[Tommie Lyn]

I checked "Other."

As I've said before, what I learned while doing genealogical research started me writing. I wanted to tell what happened to my ancestors in a fictional, entertaining way. My first novel is historical, and I've planned four sequels to follow it (already have all the titles and the MC for each).

But now that I've caught "the writing bug," anything can spark a storyline at any time: a newspaper article, a chance statement from someone, a name, a few words I've strung together for a title, etc.

Before I signed up for NaNo, I foolishly decided I'd write a mystery (ha! little did I know the amount of work involved!). I made a list of names and was looking at it when the name "Goodnight" jumped out at me. As I was saying it over and over, the title came from it "...And Night Falls."

Ok. I had the MC's last name and a title. It grew from that. I'd originally intended to write a short story for submission to "A Mouthful of Bullets," but as I thought about ANF, it became obvious it was too complex for a short story. Along came NaNo, I signed up and decided to use ANF for my NaNovel. I developed the rest of the idea using Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake method for outlining over the next day or so (I know, I know -- he says to take a week for each step, but I'm impatient), and developed the storyline (but the characters veered away somewhat from my outline once they took over).

[Keith Wallis]

I've gone for other too, though I suspect ALL would have been a better option - it's open season on life in general, mine, yours, bibilical characters et al !

[DrRita]

I have to echo Hisart's response with a tiny deviation . . . research. It gives me a lot of inspiration on plot, characters and story twists. The rest is a mixture of people, life experiences, imagination and current events.

[whitehawke]

I ticked other simply because my first book idea came from a dream. Other than that, it comes from all sorts of things, mag clippings, newspapers, pictures etc... My wip came from my learning that my great grandmother was a gypsy.

[GentleJourneyAu]

I clicked life experiences because my friends, family, things I read, events I witness and problems I solve are my life experiences. Though I also write historicals, I tend to be inspired by something in the news,in research, or in what's going on in my life or the lives of those around me. There really is not much new under the sun as far as relationships or problems we face through our lives, but there are new and different ways of reacting to and solving these problems and it is interesting to see how mankind has developed (or regressed)in this respect.

[melw]

i chose other, because i really need to say all of the above, it just depends on the story. But often it will just be a name or a thought that will come out of nowhere that gets me started. I find i am in church and either in the sermon, or sometimes while i have the Bible open, i see something that i want to incoporate into my character's lives. i often find just what i need even when i am not especially looking for it. Must be God's grace and leading.


MEL

[Lookin^Up]

Like Whitehawke, some of my story ideas come from dreams I had (and remembered the next morning). When I do use a friend or a family member as a character, he or she is always altered in significant ways so he or she is not an exact copy of him or her.

Whew! That's enough political correctness for one day!

[melw]

i looked at the poll and no one has chosen friend, but i talk to my friends and sometimes an idea for a book will come, or a plot twist. As happened a few weeks ago, i still have to decide to use it, but it is there.

MEL

[ProfessorAlan]

I dreamed a scene for a novel once, as well as a short story.

[dulcigal]

I ticked "other" although like alot of you it could have been alot of the others, too. But my "other" comes for the fact that I really don't know WHERE my story ideas come from, exactly. They come in such bizarre ways that I can only guess that they're a smart whip of everything around me marinated in my own deep thoughts and muses and broiled in what God's speaking to my heart.

And for some reason, I seem to have one recurring theme that crops up in about everything I write. Huh. Still trying to puzzle that one out!

[miranda119]

I said other because the main inspiration for me personally is Jesus and the Word. Now this is not because I am so spiritual and others are not, I am simply saying that for me the only thing that really inspires me to write is Jesus. So perhaps I am just not as good of a writer as others may be. But I could say all the above, too, in a sort of secondary way. :)

[peridot08]

"Other"
Different things inspire me. Overhearing a conversation, something my children do. Realizing how I need guidance from older women, listening to TV. Reading the bible.

[paulchernoch]

It looks like lots of people picked "Personal Experience". The trouble with writing fantasy is how to work that personal experience in. I'm writing about the afterlife. Never been there. One hero was in the army. I never enlisted. Another is a judge. I've never held a gavel. A bunch of characters are women. (I'm not going there, especially the thing about reason and accountability and Jack Nicholson.) I have ridden a horse, but it couldn't fly. (Or wouldn't. Can you really be sure?)

And I definitely do not know how to pilot a spaceship. (Ask my wife and she'll opine on how I can barely drive. At least I try. Arthur C. Clarke has never driven a car, from what I hear.)

- Paul

[Lookin^Up]

It comes back to the adage, "Write what you know." I've heard that means if you want to write something you don't know, research it enough so this guy doesn't sound real to someone who does know it.

For instance, if I write a military character into my story, I need to know enough of how the military operates for him to feel real. Yet, I've never been in the services at all (4F). If I write a butler, I need to know the do's and don'ts of his job to make you feel he's standing over you, saying, "You rang?" I've never been in high society very long (it has always felt too pretentious for me to stay), much less have waited on someone hand and foot.

And in the process, I learn more through the writing than I would have otherwise.

[Thebigguy]

I said other works, I find that most of my ideas came from Sci- fi or somethings as a kid. But the characters I think need to come from people, that I know or knew, otherwise I'm just doing a new rendition of the superfriends!

[ServantRose]

Has someone addressed the absence of God and the Bible from that list? Seems odd to me - that's my #1 source of inspiration and it seems anyone that writes Christian fiction or non-fiction should primarily look to God to give inspiration. Otherwise are you putting God first in your writing? Maybe He'll provide it thru something but we should look to Him first.

[Rebecca]

Has someone addressed the absence of God and the Bible from that list? Seems odd to me - that's my #1 source of inspiration and it seems anyone that writes Christian fiction or non-fiction should primarily look to God to give inspiration. Otherwise are you putting God first in your writing? Maybe He'll provide it thru something but we should look to Him first.

I figured on a site for Christian writers, writing for God is a given. If we were to give that as an option, everyone would select it. I was looking for answers outside of the obvious. !thumbsup!

Rebecca

[ServantRose]

hm... maybe the question shouldn't been secondary source ^^

[Rebecca]

hm... maybe the question shouldn't been secondary source ^^

Yep, you're probably right. ;)

Rebecca

[ProfessorAlan]

It depends on how you define or interpret "inspiration," I think.

[ServantRose]

It depends on how you define or interpret "inspiration," I think.

This I agree with

[cpbookworm]

I clicked other because my primary inspiration is the Bible. Current events, experience, family may all play a role, but in most cases even for these it is in how it relates to what the Bible says. Of course my primary area of interest is teaching and devotional Bible topics. :)

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Life pretty much sums it up - movies/books/music, faith, issues, people you meet, places, animals etc ---everything!

[phyttikitti]

I usually write from life experiences, mine and other people. I've always been an observer of life while participating. There is a neverending supply of happenings to draw into a story. Life is rich in texture. The Lord will offer me inspired phrases or ideas during the night seasons at times. Those are really neat to pursue. I don't get much sleep during those times. I write right away so I will not lose it. ;-) I have copious notes on the messages our pastor gives three times a week; another source of words for inspiration and revelation.

[psychoceramic]

God is my main source.

It does come in the form of Family, friends, life and so on but with out Our Father in Heaven and his loving kindess there would be no reason or want for me to write.

The last thing i actually wrote was a poem about my daughter and the amzing start in life that God gave her.


IN JESUS,
psycho

[articles]

I chose experience because as a Naval Officer and Christian of 21 years, I have seen so much. I have been around the world three times and I have witnessed to thousands.

[Alice]

I picked "other" because most of my plots come from my imagination, or else are inspired by something so obscure I didn't realize it.

But all those others things influence my stories too, once I have them started, or have the story idea.

[Anne Lacey]

More than anything, my ideas come from dreams. I have had vivid nightmares since I was a little girl but somehow I always manage to bring a Christian message to the story. So that's where most my ideas come from. The novel I'm working on now actually came from a quote though. One quote. The wheels just started turning. :)

[cfreeman]

I chose other becuase its more of a combination of things, than any one particular thing that provides the inspiration for my writing. I like to think that much of my writing inspiration comes from my study of scripture, and from my research, in addition to all of the above categories. Charity

[mahatma]

I clicked other because my primary inspiration is the Bible. Current events, experience, family may all play a role, but in most cases even for these it is in how it relates to what the Bible says. Of course my primary area of interest is teaching and devotional Bible topics. :)

I agree with CPBookWorm, my inspiration comes from the Bible. I can read one scripture and see a whole new book in it. The inspiration is endless!

[mel3]

when you need inspiration, look up..:rolleyes:

[marykay]

life experience is the best teacher. You have your good and your bad, but just know that you can never help no one else along the way until you have experience some things.

[marykay]

The love of writing comes from what I've been through in life. I use it to inspire other women to look to the hills from whence cometh there help because your help comes from God.

[Dudley]

On Wednesday April 4 at 858 PM I finished my novel, The Congregation, about a pastor and his people, You might say it's 42 short stories woven together into the web and fabric of a small town parish. I discovered as I did my final re-write that I was crying and laughing and feeling all kinds of things as I was so totally immersed into the life of the characters in the book. And I realized that it could never have been written before now; for, it is so deeply drawn from life's experiences to date. Oh, the characters are folks just like you and I - carefully camoflauged - but I know who they are (some are a combination of so many people I love and care about) and as such, when I read it back to myself, life is lived again. It also gave me the opportunity to recall so many times when there must have been angelic intervention set out to rescue me. That also brought tears for I realized just how protective God has been. And I was often filled with praise and appreciation for the many events of sensing the Lord's presence. Awesome stuff! At first the book was a catharsis. Good! But, I had to advance way beyond that. I was able to write short sermons that I had never preached but wanted to; yet, the book is not preachy. At least I think so. I was able to deal with all the issues of forgiveness and by the time I got done - ten years in the conception, 5 in the writing, 40 days for the rewrite and 5 days for tweaking. What I was delighted in is that I was able to use my photography ( I am of professional status) for often illustration. I used to do audio-visual slide shows in churches and I was amazed that sometimes years later folks would say: "I remember that particular picture and what you said." "Wow!" So I got to thinking - even if the reader forgets the text, they may well remember the photo and as such recall some important point in the novel. I have dealt in fantasy writing and it has been fun but as a steady diet I am not able; for I am a deeply feeling man and a quiet observor, and as such I'm able to bring depth to my stories. As I am new here, I hope I can gain new friendships and information and perhaps networking so we can all gain good rewards from our intense and wonderful works. I want to have value in being able to help others just as much as I seek new information and opportunities. I've chatted too long. I look forward to some great contacts. Dudley Danielson

[cynthiahickey]

I was going to answer other, also, but chose life experiences instead. Which is scary considering the stories I write. :)

[Dudley]

Today I finished my book ~ [I]The Congregation [I]~ which, if I had not had these exeriences or been such an avid observer, there would have been no book. I was not as aware then as I am today what a catharsis it was for me at the time; but, as I polished it in anticipation of searching for a publisher, that need, I discovered, had been well satisfied and I realized I am not the same person that sat at the Panasonic Electronic seven years ago. More than a simple truism, I, in my own mind, looking in my own panoramic rear-view mirror, sincerely like what I now see. Researching and recording life's experiences has been worth far more than any counselor. And as Forrest Gump said: "That's all I'll say about thet." Sincerely, Dudley

[Alice]

I voted "other," but to be frank, life experience does play a part. Just not always the biggest part.

[logos]

I vote with "melw". I draw my ideas from reading of the life of Christ, the stories He told, and the lives with which He interacted. When called upon to produce a devotional, an article or a script, ideas come to me without effort on my part. This endless supply has always been there for me, from my first days as a teacher of the Bible. It has helped me meet many a tight deadline.

[messengerlady]

I chose life experience and family. Those are the two areas that I find most of my inspiration.

[Rahab]

My life, my life, my life! Pain is a great tool, but not one of my favorites. Watching what others go through isn't all that pleasing either. Yet when you're a truth seeker pain is a place that invites you for dinner and when you leave you are stuffed.

[carlanix]

Actually, "God" is my top answer, but there was not such a category. I didn't want to minimize Him by selecting "other". So, I chose "Life Experiences" because each victory, fall, blessing, etc. that He brings me through is what has shaped my writings.

[Lookin^Up]

If God is in your life, He's also in your life experiences. Isn't that so?

[P.K.mama]

Your life experiences will always play a major role in your writting, embrace them and you will write with more conviction. I also believe that those you come in contact with everyday, as well as those you love and spend your days with, will eventually represent themselves in some way.

[Kathi Evans]

It is my basic belief that I can't expect something to touch others' hearts and lives unless it first touches mine. It's all about being real and the life events that God has used to change me are as real as it gets! :)

-Kathi


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble,
with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

tlministry@verizon.net

[JGP]

With everything that I do, I pray that it always comes directly from the source of my being.

The source of all things began over two thousand years ago. The word Genesis came into English by way of Latin from Greek. In the Septuagint (LXX), it formed the superscription for the first book of the Bible. Genesis. The word means "orgin, source, or begetting."

Every word written in the Bible was done so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, laid in the spirit of man. This is how I try to live my life in every thing that I do...;) .

[riterlady]

I write romance and it almost always starts with a hero.
I get one in mind, put him in a terrible situation where I torture him and then add a beautiful lady to help him pull himself through the problems.
It usually works.
Donna W.

[smokey the dog]

I checked life experiences. Most of the time it is through ordinary day to day events that the Lord speaks to me. I have been just watching our dog play in the back yard, and I was inspired to write "what I learned from my dog". Or from walking past the waiting rooms at work I wrote "God's waiting room".

[St. Matthew]

My primary source of inspiration is The Holy Scripture.
No doubts, that for Christians The Holy Bible is the most important book. No other book had such impact on humanity. Everyone can find there wisdom related to any life situation.

[VWeathers]

My inspiration definitely comes from life...especially church life. It seems a new drama unfolds every day.