Inspiration in Funny Places

C.bronco · May 15, 2007

I started a short story which was inspired by a thread at AW. Has anyone else experienced the same phenomena?
(Now, if I could just figure out how I want it to end...)

kristie911 · May 15, 2007

Not necessarily at AW (though the people here are great to use as the basis for characters) but many times I see something (a house, a car, anything) or hear a conversation, someplace like Wal-Mart or at work, that gives me great ideas.

I find my inspirations everywhere...as long as I'm paying attention!

Siddow · May 15, 2007

Yeah, I was inspired by a thread here...well, several of them. I just lifted a character. A narcissist with a God complex who goes insane.

Maryn · May 15, 2007

Sure. I've used conversations at online chats or overheard in coffee shops and diners to start me on a story. I've amused myself imagining the people I eavesdropped on reading my story and seeing themselves in it, a little.

Maryn, champion eavesdropper

C.bronco · May 15, 2007

Siddow said:
Yeah, I was inspired by a thread here...well, several of them. I just lifted a character. A narcissist with a God complex who goes insane.

Oh, it's about ME! Thanks!

AnnieColleen · May 15, 2007

Not here, but a thread title on another board.

Shapes in the clouds...a mixed metaphor in an editorial...I know I have more odd ones that I'm not remembering.

C.bronco · May 15, 2007

My inspiration came from "BS Your Way Through."

Stew21 · May 15, 2007

I decided one night in a bout of insomnia that I needed to start a new story. I wanted to write, but didn't have any idea what. I noticed while at my desk staring at a blank screen that I had a message on my answering machine.
It was blinking. Next thing you know, my story opens with my main character seeing his blinking answering machine, except his is full of collections calls, and two he should have listened to: a message from his sister that his father was in the hospital and another that he'd died. Which is the opening of the novel in progress.

(my message wasn't nearly that exciting).

danseur90 · May 16, 2007

Philosophy class. The text is very interesting... though the lecturer has hair that is more interesting than the lecture itself. It's like a cross between lion's mane and bushy frizz with red and gold highlights. And her hair is graying. And her dress is... infinitely colorful. The multitude of color is very inspiring.

justpat · May 17, 2007

In the bathroom. There's nothing like cold porcelain beneath your tooshy to inspire. That's where I get all my best ideas.

Parkinsonsd · May 17, 2007

justpat said:
In the bathroom. There's nothing like cold porcelain beneath your tooshy to inspire. That's where I get all my best ideas.

Truer words have never been spoken.

Uncarved · May 17, 2007

Its where his great Wiggle Vs. Tap theory became that Epic Manuscript.

justpat · May 17, 2007

I think thats where Herman Melville got the idea for... Never mind.

Jordygirl · May 20, 2007

It's probably not the weirdest thing for inspiration, but my current WIP was inspired by the song 'County Line' by Sugarland.
Is that weird?

Pagey's_Girl · May 20, 2007

Siddow said:
Yeah, I was inspired by a thread here...well, several of them. I just lifted a character. A narcissist with a God complex who goes insane.

Hey, I resemble that remark! :tongue

No seriously, I find inspiration just about everywhere. I got a very funny short story out of watching three normally very sedate and buttoned-down managers running all around the secretarial suite trying to remember where they'd hidden an artificial Christmas tree....

"Has anyone seen the tree?"
"I haven't seen the tree!"
"I'm just trying to find the tree...."
I was waiting for one of them to yell "Where's that confounded tree?!" but alas, they never did.

DeborahM · May 20, 2007

In my bathroom, I can see into my mirror and see my clock in reverse...I keep thinking I need to add that but haven't yet. Personally, I think because it's been done so many times.

Inspiration in Funny Places

C.bronco

I have plans...

kristie911

Happy to be here

Siddow

I'm super! Thanks for asking

Maryn

I Tried

C.bronco

I have plans...

AnnieColleen

Invisible Writer

C.bronco

I have plans...

Stew21

danseur90

justpat

QueryTracker

Parkinsonsd

Uncarved

I aim to misbehave

justpat

QueryTracker

Jordygirl

Nothing doing.

Pagey's_Girl

Still plays with dolls

DeborahM

I need espresso & chocolate!