Comments on: Where Do You Get Your Ideas From?

By: Ailsa

Ailsa — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:31:53 +0000

Ideas are everywhere.
Can I ramble about where the idea for my current WIP came from?

My house has a landing between my room and the bathroom. You don’t need a light on in the landing to walk that far, so I’d be stepping into the bathroom, blocking the light behind me so I can’t see anything while I reach over to turn the light on. I wondered how much of a fright you’d get if there was something/someone there. From that wandering, I got this scene in my head of a young woman going into a darkened room and finding a man there who was asking for her help. I knew he was a vampire, and I knew she was surprised to see him.

Asking myself lots of ‘who’s, ‘why’s, and ‘then what?’s about that scene led me to the plan for the wip.

By: Faust

Faust — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:13:57 +0000

I get my ideas mostly from books and music. Like the song Wars by Hurt, and the books Dies the Fire by S.M. Stirling, and In the Company of Shadows by Sonny and Ais inspired my recent project.

By: catie james

catie james — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:22:58 +0000

OMG Yes! When people ask that question I’m dumbstruck and can only reply with: “Where aren’t there ideas?” I feel a little like Hayley Joel Osment in THE SIXTH SENSE: “I see Ideas, walking around like [regular] people. They’re everywhere!”

Love that gorgeous poster, btw.

By: RKCharron

RKCharron — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:29:53 +0000

Hi Karen
Thank you for the intriguing post. I get ideas from life too. And a nice walk always gets my writing-head going.
Thanks again for sharing,
All the best,
RKCharron
xoxo

By: Rachel S

Rachel S — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:21:42 +0000

I loved this post, especially how it hit home on what I’m writing/going to write I’m currently writing a Beauty and the Beast retelling and after that I’m going back to my Armless Maiden YA! Too funny.

I agree. I think when people ask “How do you get your ideas” they really mean “How did you get from point A to point B.” Honestly, anyone can think up a cool idea, but I feel like only so few people ACTUALLY write it down.

By: Mireyah Wolfe

Mireyah Wolfe — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:07:32 +0000

I got the idea for my NaNo novel from watching episodes of Supernatural–had much the same thoughts you did about The Bourne Identity–and reading the first few chapters of a friend’s book. I love it when ideas spring from random moments, though…

Really, getting an idea that just *clicks* for you is an awesome moment. The great thing is that as writers, we get to experience that moment fairly often!

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:02:41 +0000

I loved your post Karen. I get my ideas from ALL OVER THE PLACE, lol. So the question can have lengthy answers. Happy writing.

By: Mikaela

Mikaela — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:56:50 +0000

I too get my ideas from everywhere. Songs, myths, non-fiction. Some I have even gotten from fiction! Those are more ” It would be cool to write something about this”, kind of things. Oh. TV too. I have one contemporary fantasy idea that sprung from the notion of making NCIS but for magical and paranormal problem.

I will probably start working on that one during christmas. If I am done with my current WIP

By: Atsiko

Atsiko — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:29:00 +0000

Great post, Kaz. My ideas come from anywhere and everywhere as well. Myth, legend, folklore, novels, television, anime, history, dreams, etc. I think a great joke answer to this question would be “Where *don’t* I get my ideas from?”

If only people really cared about the ideas instead of the high concept fast-track to being published.

By: Irene

Irene — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:46:34 +0000

You’re so right!
Like, I can even get inspired by watching two strangers have a conversation (I swear, I am NOT a stalker. But sometimes I can’t help overhearing…).
Sometimes, something my friends say can make an idea click, or even a picture or a random object.
What I DO know is that I can’t FORCE my ideas. When I ‘sleep’ on something, it usually turns out better than when I obsess over it and try to brainstorm it. ‘Sleeping’ on things just gives me time to gather various interesting things I’ve noticed, and see what fits the idea.