Susan J. Reinhardt and I are writing. While reviewing a passage, I reflected on where I gathered the ideas for a young character.
I had to smile, for I took snippets of actions and conversations from my 3 year old grandson and 4 year old nephew. It was great fun to write!
It still thrills me that a teeny spark of an idea can develop into a full fledged flame, directing and adding immense personality to a story or article. This is one reason I keep a small tablet handy at all times. This way I can note ideas when they hit me. Which, btw, is often - like at the grocery store, in church (I promise I am only distracted momentarily:), in the middle of making dinner...
I, for one, am a fan of inspirational sparks. How about you? How has your writing been ignited?
Happy weekend!
Karen
Photo credit: Stock Exchange
My fans ignited the idea for my second book.
ReplyDeleteI am always on the lookout for quirky, and I seem to be a magnet for those people.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I miss more sparks than I capture, although when I'm on a roll, I collect quite a few scraps of paper.
ReplyDeleteAlex,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to continue your series! Congrats on the inspiration and books!
Linda,
Ah, but see, you are a smart one - ever observant. I am sure you pick up things most people miss.
Carol,
I hear you! Sometimes I am frustrated over not being able to get to all the ideas. :)
Happy Thursday,
Karen
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteGreat thought. I dont think most of us realize that the little day to day events can be a spark. I try to keep a notebook with me, or sometimes I write on whatever is handy when I see or hear a spark. Its important to write them down lest you forget them.
Blesings,
Jan
One of the teen girls I mentored through high school is my biggest fan and hand-holder in my writing. She's about to start her sophomore year of college and keeps spurring me on to keep writing and not give up. Her encouraging words make me knuckle down and work out some huge holes in my second book, because she so wanted to see pages.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE inspirational sparks. I've written whole novels on them, LOL!
ReplyDeleteCongrats!!!! :D
Woohoo for sparkage! I love getting inspired aka daydreaming. lol
ReplyDeleteI keep 3 x 5 index cards in the front flap of my purse (easy to grab on the fly) and a little notebook in the main pocket of my purse for those times sitting in traffic or at the doctor's office when I have time to flesh out ideas. Inspiration comes from everywhere. . .it is, admittedly, sometimes better than others! LOL
ReplyDeleteJan,
ReplyDeleteThanks! I know, I need to write them down or I can loose the thread. :)
Laurel,
What a great help and inspiration! That must be gratifying for you to see her grow in her writing under your mentorship.
Laura,
I know, me too! Thanks so much! :)
Jessica,
Yes! Daydreaming can be such a good one!
Lisa,
Now there's a really good idea! We have so many little pockets of time that we can utilize, it's just a matter of being aware of them.
Happy weekend,
Karen
I jot down ideas as they come to me on any piece of paper I can find--even a napkin! Also, when an "inspirational spark" reveals itself to me and paper is nowhere to be found, I record a short message onto my cell phone, much like one would use a dictaphone.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, I gather my scraps of paper, play back my recorded memos and add my ideas to a running list of writing topics. Sometimes I can't decide if my process is scattered or organized, but it has served me well so I'm stickin' to it!
Have a lovely weekend, my friend. :-)
Always looking for sparks, Karen! But sometimes I miss it, simply because I wasn't paying full attention.
ReplyDeleteThanks, have a great weekend.
I don't consider myself a gossip, but do listen carefully to people's stories, igniting not only my interest in them but my interest in a new story idea!
ReplyDeleteKaren, it's actually getting so I'm trying NOT to ignite my pen. LOL. Come winter though, look out keyboard!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Janette,
ReplyDeleteI like your cell phone recorder idea! Talk about resourceful! I may just do that one of these days. :)
Marja,
Me too! Sometimes they float by me as well. I think if our steps are ordered, we'll get the ones we are supposed to!
Lynn,
I know, you're right, this is another great source of ideas. Even just a germ of a thought can spring into something.
Joylene,
I guess it depends on the seasons you find yourself in, you know? There's a time for everything that we are supposed to do. :)
Happy weekend,
Karen
I carry pen and paper with me everywhere and have since I was a kid. May not be written, it may be a picture but I always use my paper. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Karen!
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Jules,
ReplyDeleteGood thinking, and a good habit to get into!
Happy weekend,
Karen
Keeping a note pad handy is a great idea b/c some of our best ideas pop in and out and it's easy to forget them.
ReplyDeleteRecently, a dream sparked some really great ideas. :)
ReplyDeleteI love sparks like that! Little gems that either pop out of conversations, or the moment, or sometimes in the midst of a writing prompt warm up. Yesterday I was writing in the park with my daughter, and a muscle car rumble-roared up next to us. I went from annoyance to a story idea in a a second. Moments like that are the joy of writing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, Karen. I like the image of sparks, and the photo you chose.
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit it, but I sometimes write ideas or even beginnings of articles while my husband is preaching. Don't tell anyone, okay?
Hi Karen -
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link. Sorry I'm late to the comments. I've been a little busy this week. :)
As we both know, those sparks can ignite an all-out bonfire. I enjoy brainstorming with you about our book.
Blessings,
Susan
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteYes, it is! This is why I keep a tablet by my bed, in the kitchen...almost everywhere! :)
Lydia,
Hey, that's a good place/idea too! You just never know where they will pop up.
Tyrean,
Here again, you just don't know, right? Glad something positive came from it!
Jen,
Thank you. I liked this picture too. Okay so your secret is safe with me! :)
Susan,
Why, what have you been doing this week? lol Oh, that thing called editing...Yes, I enjoy our sessions too. :)
Blessings,
Karen
I love looking back at a completed book, amazed that a little spark could create such a big thing.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't take much, does it, to turn into a big fire? My latest WIP began with an incomplete sentence on a blog. And now it's huge!
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, Karen. Thanks for finding my blog today. I'm your latest follower :)
Usually when I'm reading the paper or watching the news! I love all the crazy stuff that goes on in the world.
ReplyDeleteId like to invite you folks to come to Amish Stories for a recipe for "Famous Pennsylvania Dutch Sticky Cinnamon Buns" along with a book signing schedule for Amish fiction writer Wanda Brunstetter for Pennsylvania and Ohio as well as a contest to meet her. I hope everyone so far is having a great weekend. Thanks everyone. Richard from Amish Stories.
ReplyDeleteTheresa,
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what comes from a teeny little spark! It's nice to share it too, with friends who understand.
Laura,
No it doesn't! :) I like hearing about where people get their ideas; it's inspiring! Looking forward to following your blog. Thanks for following mine.
Talli,
Well, there are definitely all sorts of good and bad things out there. It's nice to turn it into something positive!
Richard,
Thanks for the info, Richard. It sounds great, so I'll hop over soon.
Happy weekend,
Karen
Oh, I LOVE that spark of inspiration that comes from the odd comment or the smallest snippet of something overheard or that flashes through your head at the oddest times.
ReplyDeleteYou just might be a writer if this is a chronic condition...
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI know, me too! :) Well, I must be a writer, for it happens all the time!
Blessings,
Karen