Sources of inspiration?

[Xay]

Recently i've been at a loss for ideas for stories, or rather; ideas that transition into stories smoothly.

That being said, what are some of your inspirational sources or how did you come up with an idea?
Much apriciated :D

[MystyrMystyry]

Mark Twain said words to the effect of 'Drink, smoke, eat, and carry on, when the time has come it will all emerge from your subconscious like a fire-breathing dragon you can't tame'

And he's right - it's all in there, from the television news item you saw ten years ago to the el cheapo sci fi movie you didn't think much of at the time and still don't, from the short story they made you read to test your comprehension first day of high school to the classic you'll have to get back to one day

When I really need inspiration ('just have to make it to the end of this chapter!') then I read my notebooks - nothing like something fascinating to spark me back into gear (unfortunately these aren't for public consumption - you'll have to get your own - but they can take you to dreams and nightmares you've hastily scrawled at 3am and would never have remembered otherwise, and remind you of passages you've come across in your journey*)

Often I pause to think about the books and poems that got me into this mess in the first place ('what was that one by whowazzit?') and try to think of similar examples that were better if not as influential, or the complete opposite (if you know exactly what you're going to write and where you're heading the process can get very dull and mechanical indeed)



*if you quote, always remember to reference the source - nothing worse than thinking 'I'm a genius! I am!' only to have it pointed out that plagiarism is a crime

[hillwalker]

I would add that writing something/anything every day (for perhaps 10 minutes or so) gets your mind accustomed to absorbing details, ideas, memories etc. and releasing them through your pen.

Inspiration is not something you can turn on like a tap - open it a little more when your ideas have run dry. It comes from the subconscious, often when you least expect it, and the secret is to forge a link between brain and pen so that when you sit down to write off-the-cuff the ideas will flow like ink from the nib.

H

[weltanschauung]

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/facist_jockitch/sh/union.jpg
turn off your miiiiind..

[Buh4Bee]

It may be good to have some quiet time to think about life or ideas. I like to do it when I drive or walk the dog. You should also practice writing. Even something as simple as a blog can keep your mind moving.

[MatthewFarlow]

Walk, talk, read, write - repeat! :D

[arrytus]

sometimes the afflatus leaves for good...... in the last 3 years i've had nearly nothing whereas as a stripling it couldn't ignore it for its fecundity.

my advice would be to completely change things up in what you are reading. start reading physics or start reading history or poetry. perhaps take a second job just so you get a different perspective, even if it means waiting tables, or cleaning pans in the hot kitchen and you quit after a week.

but i know the lulls can be brutal, where we question everything, and seem to have no opinion on anything, no beliefs on which we can claim at least ephemerally to represent our identity.

and finally my facetious advice for poets and writers: Throw words at the world and see what sticks.

[Xay]

Thanks for the help everyone. Hopefully this lull in my creativity wont last long.

[Stealtrap]

I like to listen to music, specifically video game soundtracks in which little or no words are used. I'll sit and listen to this music for hours and just let things sink in before an idea comes to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOvwAYLWO88

This a particularly useful piece from Mass Effect 2 that has helped me overocme several blocks. I hope it helps!

[tigermoon]

My English teacher shared something with me the other day that may help you.

Try going to an inspiring or even just an interesting place (waterfall, concert, coffee shop...) and start by writing down the basics. What's the temperature? How do your clothes feel? What is your mood? Are you hungry? ect. Then slowly move outward continuing to ask questions about everything. All the while, writing everything down. Like taking notes on your environment. This should help to get you thinking. Even if you don't come up with something, it will be good writing practice.-Hope it helps.

[MANICHAEAN]

Live in contact with your dreams and you will get something of their charm. Alternatively, live in contact with facts and you will get something of their brutality.

[GypsyDream]

I don't know if you write poetry, but when I started back to school, I began writing a couple of haikus daily. They kept me going, and they really tightened up my work- I had to practice the economy of space while still putting in a complete thought.

The best advice is the hardest: write daily- even if you're just keeping a journal.

I wish you the best of luck.

[xtianfriborg13]

inspiration is everywhere.

[cacian]

inspiration is everywhere.

Totally. Ideas come to you when you know where to look.