Where do you get your inspiration to write a novel?

Answer 1

I first began to write my personal short stories of my life. Then I got terribly tired of writing about me so I took many major events of my life and built characters, scenarios, and opposition. I took my characters down paths that I didn't venture, or if they did mimic my choices, I did something different for them.

I've seldom been in one place in my life longer than ten years, having moved at least seven times in three different states even before I joined the Army. From my many moves and the several careers I enjoyed (Army, music, and civil government) I had a large pool of ideas to draw upon.

Lately, I've drawn upon my religious belief and poured into fiction such notable characters as Geronimo and Cochise. I have a lot of trivia pertaining to the American Indian in my head that is doing nothing but wait to be put into writing somehow. Drawing from this knowledge, plus 20 years of motorcycling around the country, I have an endless source from which to write.

I still get writer's block, which is natural. I have a few stories published on an Internet website, but most of my novels and short stories are gathering dust after years of submissions and rejections.

Now, it seems, I give assistance to other writers.

Answer 2

Generally from looking around me, from talking with people, from memories-- mostly from "what I know," as the creative writing teachers always used to say when I went to those type of classes... that is where I find inspiration.

I've written some sci-fi and fantasy since then, as well as "what I know," and they all loop back to an image I've actually seen, at least. Life inspires me.
Now I'm working on a biography, so that is definitely from "what I know."

Have I repeated that phrase enough? Too often, I think! ;-}

But it's true... somehow in some way real life will inspire many forms of even creative writing.

In fact when I am writing, I re-read what I've written rather often, trying to read it from the viewpoint of someone seeing it for the first time, because that keeps me on my toes as a writer. If it doesn't make sense on the re-read, I need to write it over.

It's all a lot of fun though, in my opinion, and I hope you will be writing something soon yourself, if you aren't already-- Luck...

Answer 3

My life...luckily it's been really exciting :P I just look at some of the things that happened to me and elaborate, or give them different consequences. For example, I once got with a guy and got in trouble with the police for it (well, he did) and I also once got with a teacher (but not my teacher so no-one got in trouble)...I took those two experiences, put them together and now I'm thinking up the plot for a novel about a girl who enters a relationship with her teacher and he gets arrested for it. Novels are much easier to write when you know the bare facts.

Answer 4

I was sittng in meeting room at a pub in a boring meeting of rather snobby writers, being completley overlooked... when down the road marched this duchess-like woman carrying a parcel with an enormous bow. She stomped into the pub and sat down at a long table with an interesting assortment of other women her age.

Rather than listen to the writers, who were busy saying how wonderful they were, I began to wonder what the story was behind this woman and her parcel, and the group she was meeting with. This led to a novel .

Last year I was privileged to get a highly commended, and an embarrassingly good critique from the judges, for the unfinished manuscript in a largish writing competition.
I managed to turn a negative experience into a positive one simply through my lack of focus !
:o)

Answer 5

I first got my inspiration to write from J.K. Rowling's books. I think in order to get inspiration, you can't actually look for it. You have to let the ideas find you. Try opening your mind to new possibilities, but don't think too hard. Dwell on things lightly, and when you can't get anything, put it aside for a while. Thinking too hard may cause the mind to become tense and lower your chances of getting ideas :)

Hope this helps!!

MollyWobblesSrz

Answer 6

Just let your imagination and creativity take you and flow with it. Sometimes I'll listen to music to help the motors turn, or find a quiet place to think.

My inspiration comes from God. Most of the things I write about have never happened to me before but people say it's very realistic--obviously a gift.

Answer 7

Well, as a writer of short stories, I'll be honest with you... Life. When something happens to you, analyze it, see what it is about it, and then let your mind go. Try to build a relationship with your audience as you're writing it (you'll need to create an audience in your head first).

Answer 8

well from my life. c.j.rowlins the author of ( harry potter) got her book from her dreams. stephen king wote his book from his nightmares, but the inspiration for most authors come from their life experiences.