Where do you get your ideas for writing? - Page 2

teh603 · 12-05-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

No idea but when ever I need to kill time (waiting to fall asleep at night, driving, etc) 1000's of stories just appear in my head. The hard part is picking the good ones...

No idea is bad, its just some don't fit into a given work too well.

VydorScope · 12-05-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teh603

No idea is bad, its just some don't fit into a given work too well.

I do not think I can agree with that but then again you have not been in my head latly to understand...

Spock96 · 12-06-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

People-watching. All the time, everywhere.

And from reading lots and lots of free books, that as it turns out were free for good reason. Nothing gets the creative juices going like reading a poorly written story, and finding myself thinking, "wow, even I could do better than this"

I do have to agree with this Statement! I love reading stories and then thinking of how to change them. Although most of my stories never really go anywhere. I get them down on paper then maybe loose them or just plain forget about them.

crich70 · 12-07-2011, 12:43 AM

You can even get ideas from the filler pieces in the newspaper. I got an idea for a race of aliens from such a filler once. It talked of some species of lizards who are parthogenic in nature (only females) and I started thinking of how to use such a race in a science fiction story from then on. Still haven't found quite the right story for them yet but haven't given up either. I believe in his book "Dance Macabre" Mr. King mentioned some of his ideas also come from his dreams and I remember a TV interview where he mentioned phobias as a source for some ideas too. Basically they're everywhere and you just have to find one that passes through your built in filter and catches your own interest.

GregoryDahler · 12-07-2011, 08:42 AM

I'd have to agree with the King approach, as mentioned. Inspiration is everywhere, but actually sitting down, putting pen to paper and fingers to keys is where things become more vivid -- for me at least.

Harper Kingsley · 12-13-2011, 04:48 PM

I dream like full-on movies--stories complete from beginning to end. Other times I just put a pen to notebook paper and just let whatever idea flow out and the characters just kind of appear to introduce themselves. The worst is when I get a great idea and I'm in like the shower or something and I can't write it down

My problem is that sometimes I come up with what I think are completely brilliant ideas, but there's no way I'm going to write the story because it's outside my skill-set. Like too much science would be involved, and I am definitely not a scientist. It makes me sad, because here's this great story and nobody else will get to enjoy it.

Spock96 · 12-13-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harper Kingsley

I dream like full-on movies--stories complete from beginning to end.

My problem is that sometimes I come up with what I think are completely brilliant ideas, but there's no way I'm going to write the story because it's outside my skill-set. Like too much science would be involved, and I am definitely not a scientist. It makes me sad, because here's this great story and nobody else will get to enjoy it.

That's exactly me!

ramsey_isler · 12-21-2011, 06:39 PM

I'll agree with others that inspiration can be found everywhere, but I have a few spots/times that work particularly for me, although your mileage may vary.

1.) Educational shows - Discovery Channel, Science Channel, and History Channel can be your best friends. The world is full of fascinating facts, large and small. Any one of them can be the inspiration for a new scene in your story, a plot device, or a whole new book.

2.) Excellent photography - Sometimes when I'm feeling in a creative funk, I just load up Flickr and browse random photos. Again, the world is a fascinating place and there are countless and amateur and professional photographers out there capturing inspiring moments and places.

3.) Reading - I read a lot of novels, but I also read blogs, news articles, scientific journals, etc. The more you know, the more you can write about.

4.) The shower - Yes, the shower! One of the few luxuries I allow myself is hot, long showers. In the shower my muscles relax, the soil of the previous day washes away, and my mind inexplicably finds ways to work out plot problems that had been vexing me for days. Some of my greatest "A ha!" moments have hit me in the middle of a shower. It's kind of similar to the famous "Eureka" moment Archimedes had in his bath tub.

Tim Adams · 12-22-2011, 02:07 PM

I get my ideas while driving (long commute to work) and when amusing situations occur in everyday life. I think everyone has these moments but few take the time to write them down or share them with others.

(promotional links deleted - MODERATOR

eBooksgp · 12-22-2011, 04:53 PM

Mainly driving as per Tim Adams.

Also dreams: I will dream something, talk to friends and try to get it down on paper.

wcsungod · 12-23-2011, 02:10 AM

I get my ideas when I'm out walking or hiking. I carry a little digital voice recorder and use it to describe the story idea. That way I don't have to try to just remember it when I get home.

Shiromi · 12-23-2011, 07:25 PM

Gosh, I get my ideas from so many places. Sometimes they have to sit in my head for weeks, even months, to percolate. Sometimes I get them from dreams, other times it's from something I read. If I'm really lucky, they come fully formed walking into head, and all I have to do is write it down. I really like those.

technosavvy · 12-25-2011, 02:44 PM

It's hard to say, because I get ideas in different times of the day and different places. I may be shopping, exercising, or watching TV that I get an idea. However, most times it occurs either I am dreaming or reading. I usually keep a notepad with me at all times, so I could jot down any ideas that come to me.

DavidKitson · 12-27-2011, 10:16 AM

I find many ideas come from exploring a spark of an idea that hits me during the day. If you read the reviews, you'll see a lot of people assuming that the idea for Turing Evolved came from watching The Matrix, which is weird because it actually came from playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and wondering what it would be like if the AI players were more real and that got me thinking about what it would be like for an AI if it could die inside the computer. How hard they'd try to survive if you tried to kill them. The idea itself went through several evolutions and then Turing Evolved was supposed to be about 5000 words... I wrote the last line at almost 150,000 words before editing.

Other ideas come from everyday life. I start to think "What would happen if..." and sometimes it becomes a bigger idea.

At times I ask my kids "What would you really like to see in a movie" and I listen to what they say. They will often describe a scene they feel is missing from many movies they've enjoyed.

Sometimes I listen to music and a movie starts playing itself out in my head and I see characters moving to the tune or lyrics.

And a few ideas come from the characters in my stories too... Try talking to the characters in your head sometimes. You'll be surprised with what they suggest. ( I know a lot of writers who do that )

I don't think there's any one place I get my ideas from, but I do keep a rather cryptic notebook with the ideas in there, so I can go back and read it later. Sometimes they surprise me when I've read them after forgetting them.

And that's one important thing to remember about ideas. They often fade like dreams if you don't use them.

Regards
David

ScalyFreak · 12-27-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidKitson

I find many ideas come from exploring a spark of an idea that hits me during the day. If you read the reviews, you'll see a lot of people assuming that the idea for Turing Evolved came from watching The Matrix

That makes no sense. I would have thought Bladerunner, or one of the many Star Trek episodes that talk about the "human rights" or sentient life forms that are far from human, but self-aware all the same. Data, for one.

12-22-2011, 02:07 PM	#24
Tim Adams Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 112 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Perth, WA Device: none	Driving, noting down situations I get my ideas while driving (long commute to work) and when amusing situations occur in everyday life. I think everyone has these moments but few take the time to write them down or share them with others. (promotional links deleted - MODERATOR Last edited by Dr. Drib; 12-22-2011 at 03:21 PM.

12-25-2011, 02:44 PM	#28
technosavvy Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: iPad 2, Kobo Vox	It's hard to say, because I get ideas in different times of the day and different places. I may be shopping, exercising, or watching TV that I get an idea. However, most times it occurs either I am dreaming or reading. I usually keep a notepad with me at all times, so I could jot down any ideas that come to me. Last edited by technosavvy; 12-25-2011 at 02:47 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PRS-505 Any ideas what this might be?	Neupy	Sony Reader	4	07-03-2012 07:19 AM
Ideas	Drumm	Calibre	3	08-31-2011 06:37 AM
Ideas?	mike_bike_kite	Which one should I buy?	10	06-13-2010 03:37 PM
My ideas ......	Rechard	Which one should I buy?	1	09-29-2006 11:49 PM

12-07-2011, 12:43 AM	#19
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,310 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	You can even get ideas from the filler pieces in the newspaper. I got an idea for a race of aliens from such a filler once. It talked of some species of lizards who are parthogenic in nature (only females) and I started thinking of how to use such a race in a science fiction story from then on. Still haven't found quite the right story for them yet but haven't given up either. I believe in his book "Dance Macabre" Mr. King mentioned some of his ideas also come from his dreams and I remember a TV interview where he mentioned phobias as a source for some ideas too. Basically they're everywhere and you just have to find one that passes through your built in filter and catches your own interest.

12-07-2011, 08:42 AM	#20
GregoryDahler Member Posts: 13 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NC Device: HTC Flyer	I'd have to agree with the King approach, as mentioned. Inspiration is everywhere, but actually sitting down, putting pen to paper and fingers to keys is where things become more vivid -- for me at least.

12-13-2011, 04:48 PM	#21
Harper Kingsley Clone Trooper Posts: 212 Karma: 4566103 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Washington Device: kindle	I dream like full-on movies--stories complete from beginning to end. Other times I just put a pen to notebook paper and just let whatever idea flow out and the characters just kind of appear to introduce themselves. The worst is when I get a great idea and I'm in like the shower or something and I can't write it down My problem is that sometimes I come up with what I think are completely brilliant ideas, but there's no way I'm going to write the story because it's outside my skill-set. Like too much science would be involved, and I am definitely not a scientist. It makes me sad, because here's this great story and nobody else will get to enjoy it.

12-21-2011, 06:39 PM	#23
ramsey_isler Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 170392 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	I'll agree with others that inspiration can be found everywhere, but I have a few spots/times that work particularly for me, although your mileage may vary. 1.) Educational shows - Discovery Channel, Science Channel, and History Channel can be your best friends. The world is full of fascinating facts, large and small. Any one of them can be the inspiration for a new scene in your story, a plot device, or a whole new book. 2.) Excellent photography - Sometimes when I'm feeling in a creative funk, I just load up Flickr and browse random photos. Again, the world is a fascinating place and there are countless and amateur and professional photographers out there capturing inspiring moments and places. 3.) Reading - I read a lot of novels, but I also read blogs, news articles, scientific journals, etc. The more you know, the more you can write about. 4.) The shower - Yes, the shower! One of the few luxuries I allow myself is hot, long showers. In the shower my muscles relax, the soil of the previous day washes away, and my mind inexplicably finds ways to work out plot problems that had been vexing me for days. Some of my greatest "A ha!" moments have hit me in the middle of a shower. It's kind of similar to the famous "Eureka" moment Archimedes had in his bath tub.

12-22-2011, 04:53 PM	#25
eBooksgp Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 608380 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cardiff Device: iPhone	Mainly driving as per Tim Adams. Also dreams: I will dream something, talk to friends and try to get it down on paper.

12-23-2011, 02:10 AM	#26
wcsungod Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Walnut Creek, California Device: Kindle Fire	I get my ideas when I'm out walking or hiking. I carry a little digital voice recorder and use it to describe the story idea. That way I don't have to try to just remember it when I get home.

12-23-2011, 07:25 PM	#27
Shiromi Member Posts: 16 Karma: 714416 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: Kindle	Gosh, I get my ideas from so many places. Sometimes they have to sit in my head for weeks, even months, to percolate. Sometimes I get them from dreams, other times it's from something I read. If I'm really lucky, they come fully formed walking into head, and all I have to do is write it down. I really like those.

12-27-2011, 10:16 AM	#29
DavidKitson Mobile Story Author Posts: 87 Karma: 2688670 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Perth, Western Australia Device: Fujitsu P1510 ( Old & Clunky! )	I find many ideas come from exploring a spark of an idea that hits me during the day. If you read the reviews, you'll see a lot of people assuming that the idea for Turing Evolved came from watching The Matrix, which is weird because it actually came from playing Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and wondering what it would be like if the AI players were more real and that got me thinking about what it would be like for an AI if it could die inside the computer. How hard they'd try to survive if you tried to kill them. The idea itself went through several evolutions and then Turing Evolved was supposed to be about 5000 words... I wrote the last line at almost 150,000 words before editing. Other ideas come from everyday life. I start to think "What would happen if..." and sometimes it becomes a bigger idea. At times I ask my kids "What would you really like to see in a movie" and I listen to what they say. They will often describe a scene they feel is missing from many movies they've enjoyed. Sometimes I listen to music and a movie starts playing itself out in my head and I see characters moving to the tune or lyrics. And a few ideas come from the characters in my stories too... Try talking to the characters in your head sometimes. You'll be surprised with what they suggest. ( I know a lot of writers who do that ) I don't think there's any one place I get my ideas from, but I do keep a rather cryptic notebook with the ideas in there, so I can go back and read it later. Sometimes they surprise me when I've read them after forgetting them. And that's one important thing to remember about ideas. They often fade like dreams if you don't use them. Regards David

Advert

Advert