All of the above

Where do you get your ideas? No but seriously what do you use for inspiration: art, music, landscape, the news, dreams, family stories . . . ?

by Dietrich

I’ve drawn from all of those — most more than once. An idea can drift in when I’m out walking, having a conversation, listening to the news, watching something on the screen, flipping through a magazine — or from observing the mistakes of others, and certainly from the ones I’ve made myself. 

Family stories and reflecting on dreams have also lent good ideas and backgrounds.

When I sit with an idea a while, it might lose its sparkle, but if I tie it into something else, then the result can be something really good. Though it’s sometimes hard to make the call, it’s also good to know when something won’t work, and it’s time to let it go.

When I do get an idea, I consider well what if this or that happens  — and the sparks can start flying, and that can send me writing page after page. 

Another thing I’ve learned, when an idea does come, I need to jot it down right away, so I end up with all these little scraps of paper all over my desk. But, if I don’t write them down, they’ll likely drift off as quickly as they came.

I make a habit of listening to the way people speak to each other, and I often pick up a great piece of conversation or even a line of dialogue. And if I’m lucky, I’ll pick up what’s hidden behind those words, the real meaning, and that stuff can be pure gold.

When I’m working on an early draft, I stay open for anything new that can add those little twists and turns to the writing. Usually by the second or third draft things are more or less set. Then those fresh ideas may be best saved for something coming up that I’m planning to work on next.

As for inspiration: Art and music, that which others have created, are constant sources. When I’m writing, I listen to music that fits the mood of whatever I’m writing, and when it’s right, it can feel like the heartbeat behind the words I’m typing.

And of course, I’m always inspired by the many good books I love to read.