People often ask me where I find ideas for my stories.
Really, the world is full of inspiration. We just need to pay attention and actually seek to see it. I can find a story by describing the sky because it leads somewhere. Or I can stand somewhere ordinary and imagine I’m only an inch
tall and voila, I'm in an alien world. At times I go out specifically to shop for ideas. I especially like to
visit thrift stores, antique shops, and those side-of-the-road junk collectors.
You never know what you’ll find. It could lead to historical fiction or a true life vignette.
Shopping for character inspiration
I also enjoy sleuthing for character inspiration by people-watching. You can do this anywhere, but if the weather is nice, I really enjoy
sitting on a bench, or the edge of a fountain to watch people from all walks of
life go by. They interact, or they stare at their phone without really paying
attention to where they are going. Parents with fussy children offer one story
while parents with spoiled, demanding children are another. People are everywhere, so we just need to open are eyes. Learn to do it purposefully and jot down little things you notice. (If you use your phone for notes, people will think you're texting.)
Listen for a story idea
Another way to find a story is through listening. Listen to dialog of people near you, grab a line as the first line of your story.
Or, sit
somewhere quiet and listen. What do you hear? Is the wind stirring leaves? Is a
barking
dog in the distance? Coffee brewing? You can find a story when you zero in
on a sound, but to find it, you need to start writing about it.
When I don’t have time or energy to go out for a dose of
inspiration, picture prompts offer visuals that help discover something new.
Pumping Your Muse writing prompt
That’s what we’ll do for today's writing prompt. I offer three pictures with similar themes. This prompt reveals that setting plays a big part in a story, but it is not the whole story. I challenge you to find the story in each photo. Then choose your favorite and cultivate it to create a short story.
Photo 1:
Photo 2:
Photo 3:
If you really want a challenge, tell a quick story about each picture (to yourself or someone else) before you start to write. Then start to put it on paper. You might be surprised by the story you discover.
Photo credits: wallpaperflare, pixabay, piqsels, publicdomainpictures
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