Inspiration. Where does it come from?

Inspiration.

What is it? Where does it come from?

Firstly, what is inspiration?

At thefreedictionary.com inspiration is described as being:

1. a. Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.
b. The condition of being so stimulated.
2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.
3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.
4. The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.
5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.
6. The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

So what sorts of things inspire you to write?

Where do you find the inspirational trigger that gets your mind humming and your imaginative juices flowing?

I am a very visual person, so the majority of my inspiration comes from something I have seen. And it is usually comes in the form of can be similarly inspired by a face, a name, a place, a garment or a picture. Inspiration can strike me anywhere and sometimes does at the oddest of times.


A few weeks ago, I was driving to work and I'd stopped at red light. A couple a guys were crossing the road, they were dressed in business suits, one of them looked quite dapper in a nicely tailored grey suit and scarf. Ordinarily I would have taken little notice but there was something about this guy, the way he held himself, the way the grey of his suit contrasted with his hair that made my eyes follow him as he crossed the road in front of me.

Now I don't know if non-writers get this, but there was nothing sexual or untoward in my watching this guy, I was simply downloading my IMPRESSION of him into my memory bank of potential characters.

Something about him INSPIRED my imagination.

Who know if I will every use this impression, or what sort of form his eventual character might take. He might morph into a medieval prince, or a tattoo artist come biker dude, or a 1940s war hero.... or a murderous ex.... or a tormented superhero .... the possibilities are almost endless.

I don't only find this inspiration in men. A dark haired baby named Tremorgan inspired the character in my YA novel, about a girl of seventeen.

Sometimes though, inspiration comes in the form of something a throw away comment someone makes or something another person has written, whether it is an historical article, or a scene or crisis in a story someone had written.

Lately, I find myself increasingly vastly inspired by all things Regency and Victorian, which has inevitably led to the writing of a Victorian novel, which I am co-writing with a very dear and talented writer friend. More on that later.

The fashions, the lifestyles and social expectations of the various classes, all of it so fascinating! I find myself quite inspired...

Where did you find the inspiration for the character or story you are working on now???

Crawling Back

I feels like it has been ages, but I'm finally, slowly, dragging step by dragging step, getting back into the writing.

My medical issues, looming surgery and the earthquake that shook Christchurch last month really shook me out of my writing zone. Meanwhile the Muse escaped out the back door and has refused to return, which hasn't helped matters. It is frustrating, but my head just hasn't been in the right place to write.

My critique group met again last week which forced me to face the MS and tackled the next chapter for submission.

This week the other writing group I attend is holding one of their three annual competitions. I haven't had time to write anything new and the Muse is stubbornly hiding somewhere, so I dusted off, tweaked and re-worked a couple of stories I'd written awhile ago and submitted those. It can't hurt and I have to confess they needed the work.

It's amazing what time can do for a piece of writing. It does wonders to show up glaring typos and generally ugly sentences that were simply "hidden" before.

I've been doing a bit of reading and have been enjoying the pace and taste of a couple of historical novels.

Prophecy by M K Hume, which I really liked. My friend reviewed the book for our local newspaper and passed it on to me. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for the next books in the trilogy and for her Arthurian series.

Bernard Cornwell's Harlequin, which I'm reading and devouring on the recommendation of another friend. I'm really like the brisk, quick, detailed action of the story.

Have you read any good books lately?