Elizabeth S. Tyree
There are so many ways to get inspired! I've been writing stories for literally my entire life (My mother likes to tell of the dragons I used to blame for my messes when I was a small toddler...apparently they're who I wrote the Stone Dragon Saga about 20+ years later) and the process rarely changes.
Here are my Top 5 ways to be inspired:
1) Go for a Walk or take the kid to the park. When I'm in an area with a lot of water, such as lakes or the ocean, I will usually gravitate in that direction. Nature provides inspiration, beauty, and distractions when needed.
2) Spend time with friends and loved ones. Go hang out, have lunch, sit on the porch or toss a ball...whatever it is that you do with your friends, go do it. Their love, support, and drama can not only keep you entertained, it can inspire stories! Sometimes the story will be based on them, sometimes it will be random, but without them there's not much to write.
3) While out doing 1 or 2 (or both) take the time to observe the area around you. See how that squirrel is lecturing the bird? That's her best friend who borrowed a dress without asking. See that elderly man with the cane and classic fedora? He's sitting on the bench feeding ducks and waiting to be called out of retirement. He used to drive the fastest get away car in the world. Carry a notebook and sketch or write out what you see, practice this and it will become as natural as breathing and provide all the inspiration you need.
4) Read READ READ READ READ READ READ...devour books like a toddler devours mac-n-cheese. Read everything in the genres and age groups you write for, and everything else. Don't limit yourself and don't write what the masses are writing. Reading is knowledge and will help your imagination grow.
5) If all else fails, clean. I often find myself up to my elbows in dirty dishes when a great idea hits. Bonus...I have to leave the dishes behind for a bit while I get my ideas written down!
Here are my Top 5 ways to be inspired:
1) Go for a Walk or take the kid to the park. When I'm in an area with a lot of water, such as lakes or the ocean, I will usually gravitate in that direction. Nature provides inspiration, beauty, and distractions when needed.
2) Spend time with friends and loved ones. Go hang out, have lunch, sit on the porch or toss a ball...whatever it is that you do with your friends, go do it. Their love, support, and drama can not only keep you entertained, it can inspire stories! Sometimes the story will be based on them, sometimes it will be random, but without them there's not much to write.
3) While out doing 1 or 2 (or both) take the time to observe the area around you. See how that squirrel is lecturing the bird? That's her best friend who borrowed a dress without asking. See that elderly man with the cane and classic fedora? He's sitting on the bench feeding ducks and waiting to be called out of retirement. He used to drive the fastest get away car in the world. Carry a notebook and sketch or write out what you see, practice this and it will become as natural as breathing and provide all the inspiration you need.
4) Read READ READ READ READ READ READ...devour books like a toddler devours mac-n-cheese. Read everything in the genres and age groups you write for, and everything else. Don't limit yourself and don't write what the masses are writing. Reading is knowledge and will help your imagination grow.
5) If all else fails, clean. I often find myself up to my elbows in dirty dishes when a great idea hits. Bonus...I have to leave the dishes behind for a bit while I get my ideas written down!
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