Thursday, November 13, 2008

Where do you get your ideas from?

Apparently the most popular question authors are asked is 'Where do you get your ideas from?' It is not something I often think about in regards to my own writing, which makes me feel very unprepared for my career as an author. What will I say in an interview? Here are some possible answers:-
'From the rubbish bin of Dean Koontz'.
'I listen in to the conversation of Bluebottles.'
'After eating the brain of a stranger.'
'Lord Kimboat* gives me ideas when he comes to visit.'
OK, my answers need some work. While I think up something witty and literary to say, I want to hear how you would respond. Be ye writer, blogger or doodler, where do you get your ideas from?
* A star goes to anyone who can name the TV programme (and episode name) that this guy comes from.



12 comments:

Valpot said...

Steal them from you!!! :)

From the flypaper I leave on my desk...

From the sound of the ocean and the scent of the sea...

What ideas anyway??????

Inkpot said...

Good idea to leave flypaper on your desk to catch the ideas when you are out. :) Thanks Valpot

Anonymous said...

Where's chapter nine??

Anonymous said...

My ideas come to me from within, from that deep place where total truth emerges with all the elemental force of nature and combines with the race memories that lie hidden in my sub consciousness. these ideas, these myths and plots are unique, and new but have their roots in something ancient and true and so speak from one heart to another, and have a resonance that finds an echo in every heart that beats.

alternatively, say, you made up the plots as you think they'll sell or that you dreamt them or that they come to you unbidden.

and yes , where is chapter nine?

Kieran said...

as writer do you think of your audience or do you just let your ideas roll out and see what happens?

Chapter 9?

Anonymous said...

xxxTHe programme in the x files, the episode is called Jose Chung is from outer space- where's my star???

Inkpot said...

A fan - Chapters nine and ten are now published on the blog.

Wow Anon, that is very deep. I like where your ideas come from. Very beautifully written.

Hi Kieran, thanks for stopping by. Mmm... good question. I suppose I think of my audience, more now than years ago. Primarily I think of a story that intrigues me and grabs my interest. Then I think of where I would ultimately like that story to end up and what audience it would receive and finally I think of how I should frame the story for that audience. However it is easy to get carried away with a story and write it just because you love it without anyone else in mind. Not necessarily a bad thing, but you have to think of who is going to read it as well.

Inkpot said...

By the way, congrats Anon. That is the correct answer. A star is on its way. Stars can sometimes be slow travellers (not as slow as Birthday presents) so please bear with me.

Inkpot said...

BTW Kieran, chapter nine is a reference to my November blovel (a novel posted on my blog) called Miranda's Maze.

SSQuo said...

Let's see anything that I see, on my desk, on TV, step on on the road, overhear in the subway, cook, do, ...my life, all stay in my mind in some form or another, and then magically when I shower or before I go to sleep most often, they formulate into an idea/thought.

Inkpot said...

I love finding out how other people get their ideas. Thanks for sharing how you get yours SS, and for dropping by the blog.

youngheejin said...

Hi, as a writer how are you holding up? and what's the best quality a writer should have in your opinion?