Snatching writing ideas from life and putting them to work

My grandmother once accused me of having an overactive muse, and I believe she was right. But it has served me well as an writer and author. As a writer, I'm sure you can relate. The writer's mindset sees possibilities for stories in the oddest places. It's one of the reasons I enjoy writing prompts. The trick is to snatch these ideas and put them to work.

Collect writing prompts

For instance as I cleaned out some old files today, I found a pamphlet for a ride on a steam powered train in the mountains of Tennessee. As I continued to sort through files, I thought about how the ride on that train would differ depending on the time of year, and then I let my imagination travel back in time to when steam engines were the latest technology, but how in some ways life was so much simpler. I've ghostwritten several books from that era, and it is a learning experience to see how the simple life was much more work and leisure nothing like it is today.

Can you imagine going to the train depot to watch people disembark from the train for something to do! Walla, an idea is born. I jotted down two writing prompts. One to describe the same train ride in two different seasons. The other to write a historical fiction scene with a steam powered train pulling into the depot in Boca Grande, Florida.

The trick is to track the ideas you collect throughout the day. No, you won't have time to develop an entire article or story for every idea born on the same day they are inspired, but it's important that you write them down in an idea file with enough information to jog your memory. It's a perfect way to pump your muse when you feel uninspired or stifled by writer's block.

Today's writing prompt

Take one of the ideas you came across today (or one from your list) and write a rough draft of a story or article. Keeping an "ideas" list is a treasure, because  it's filled with your ideas and seeing it in writing will serve as a reminder that carries you back to the inspiration that called it into being.

About The Inheritance by Donna Sundblad

Written within the allegorical tradition of classics like Pilgrim's Progress, The Inheritance offers a literal but symbolic story for today's fantasy enthusiasts. This cleverly devised tale doesn't tell you what to think, but stimulates thought as to why you believe what you believe in your own quest for the Eternal City. The Inheritance is an ideal discussion starter for youth groups, homeschoolers, and families who enjoy meaningful discussions. 

 

The Inheritance is available on Kindle, paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (Christian fiction), Smashwords and Google Books. When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support. 

 

About Dragonborn by Donna Sundblad

Dragonborn conjures up a winning fantasy with dragons, humans, time travel, and magic. Follow the journey of the young prisonguard, Ervig Greenfields, as he seeks out dragons to remove a curse. The dragons offer him access to the Labyrinth of Times, which will purge the dark magic. But there’s a catch. Erving must take the Dragon Oath that requires allegiance--to fight alongside dragons for centuries, never to return to his own time. He and a handful of others take the selfless oath and become Dragonborn. The Dragonborn and their dragons become seeds of change, in this epic tale, of sacrifice for the greater good. Ride along with them as they slip through a tear in time to the past to change the future.

Dragonborn is available on Kindle, paperback on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo (Christian fiction), Smashwords Apple and Google Books. When you read it, be sure to leave a review! Thanks for your support.

Photo credits:  pxhere, pixabay