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Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The most asked question of all ...
I thought it was just me! But I found out soon enough that it isn't just me, but all authors get asked this very same question time and again. At booksignings, at house parties, during interviews and when meeting someone for the first time.
Do you know what the question is?
"Where do you get your ideas?"
Some authors tease that they get them from the "idea tree". They just reach up and pick one. But honestly, it's not that easy, nor is it complex. For me, the answer is that I'm always writing in my head. It's a curse as well as a blessing. I might see a really good-looking man and stare, taking in his clothes, wondering about him. Which works well, ONLY when I'm not with my husband. Otherwise, I have to do some fast-talking. "It's for research, babe." I might overhear (not eavesdropping, truly) a conversation in a restaurant, or witness a scene at the mall, or get an idea from a television show. All of these things come into play. Sometimes, I make a game out of it and say to myself, I have to come up with a viable scenario, from something I read in the daily newspaper. My mind is always clicking - that's the curse part of it. But when I hit on a really good idea, that's the blessing part.
Or sometimes I simply go into my backyard, sit in the sun and close my eyes, dreaming up a story. Showers work well too. I've sorted out many a dilemma with hot steam and running water!
I meet a great many people in my other job as well. For the past twenty years I've taught childbirth and baby care classes at a local hospital. It's just six hours out of my week, but I meet the most interesting people, from all walks of life. And some of their stories, how they met, what they do for a living give me some great ideas. I think I can say that for most writers, we are always looking, always gathering info, always creating in hopes of coming up with a good story.
So, where do you get your ideas? If you're writing or hoping to write, I'd be interested to know what methods you have used. Or do you have an "idea tree"?
posted by Charlene Sands at 7:09 AM
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2 Comments:
Playground Monitor said...
I just finished your HEIRESS BEWARE a couple days ago. I love amnesia stories.
Now... ideas. Oh lordy, I wish they did come from a tree or a department store or even on eBay. Every once in a while a news article will flip the idea switch. Or a song lyric has inspired me.
Didn't realize you taught childbirth classes. My son and DIL aren't going to be able to take them because of their recent move. So they've watched the video and I suggested they read a book or two. And if all else fails, I still remember some of it and am willing to help. They only have about 23 more days til the due date, which basically means the baby can come any time. Yikes! I'm gonna be a grandma soon.
Marilyn
8:56 PM
Charlene Sands said...
Marilyn,
Congratulations on becoming a grandma! I wish I was in your shoes, but I have to marry off my two first.
I did one amnesia story in my historical, Winning Jenna's Heart, but it was the hero who couldn't remember who he was - and the heroine who thought he was her pen-pal coming to marry her. I never did amnesia for a woman, so that was new.
Keep me posted when the baby comes!
9:14 PM
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