That's where almost every novel starts...a really good story.
Sometimes the inspiration comes from a dream, or from something that
happened to you in your past, or from someone else's past. The
inspiration can come from anywhere, anytime.
As a writer, my ears are tuned into the world around me as I look for that inspiration.
My notes app on my iPhone has pages filled with ideas that I can't wait
to invest in so that I can take that idea, add characters filled with
real-life thoughts and emotions, and then combine all the components to
make that inspiration into a 80,000+ novel.
My third novel, 26 BIRTHDAYS,
has been my favorite inspiration so far. The initial story came to me
after my 10 year-old son came home from fourth grade needing more
information about, well, the birds and the bees. Oy! My son, being an
only child, gets so much education from those friends of his who are
blessed with older siblings. So, after diffusing the situation, I opened
a bottle of wine and reflected on this new development - and a really
good story came to mind. It tumbled around in my head for a few weeks
and that story rooted and then branched out into characters and settings
and plots and all the good stuff we writers pool together to create our
masterpieces. I was on to something and I couldn't wait to get it all
down on paper. Yet, for some reason I still can't explain, I held off. I
knew I was going to write this story: The characters were already
coming to life in my head, the setting was beginning to form and become
real, I was outlining the first chapter and thinking how it would
proceed to the second, then the third and so on. But still, I held off
starting my writing process. Perhaps it was because I knew what was
coming - once I started a story I could not get myself to stop until it
was finished and this can be exhausting. As I said, I don't know why I
held off, but I'm glad I did because a week or so later, I was inspired
to volunteer at an outreach center for abused horses. Their stories both
broke my heart and made it soar at the same time. Driving home from the ranch that day I just knew I
had to find a way to incorporate that inspiration I felt being with
those horses into my new novel. The very next day I sat down in front of
my computer to write. And there it is...26 BIRTHDAYS was born.
Funny
how things like that happen. Looking back, if I had written that story
without visiting the outreach center, the story would not be the same
intensity I believe it holds now. I might have even given up on it.
As
an unpublished author, I intend to focus my new monthly blog on the
efforts of other unpublished authors. We deserve as much of a chance to
share our stories as those who are published. And, we might all find
that we learn something new from each other.
Now that I've shared my favorite story inspiration, I'd love to give my first guest, Monica Comas,
a chance to share hers. Monica is one of my favorite people in the
whole world. She writes women's fiction and she writes it amazingly
well. I know this because I've read her stories. Monica has been my
critique partner for about 70 years (really just five years but after
all we've gone through together 70 sounds about right). Fans of women's
fiction BOLO (be on the look out) for this writer who will no doubt be
published someday soon. I've asked Monica to share with me and you some
background on what has inspired her stories. I hope you enjoy her
answers as much as I have. I'm pleased and honored to introduce you to
Monica Comas!
WHERE HAVE THE INSPIRATIONS COME FROM FOR YOUR STORIES THAT YOU HAVE MADE INTO NOVELS?
It's
sounds horribly narcissistic, but most of my ideas for stories come
from me--basically something I've felt or done...or, let's face it,
failed to feel or do. I take that kernel of something, an emotion or
incident, then blow it wildly out of proportion. :) For me, feeling
something first--even if it doesn't end up being the exact thing that
ends up on the page--is most important. It gives me a starting point,
something to hold onto while my imagination runs with it. And once
imagination is involved, that emotion or inkling of feeling can get
really crumpled up into something completely different, but not only is
that ok, it's often so much better.
TELL ME ABOUT THE ONE THAT YOU HOLD CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART.
The
one inspiration that I hold closest to my heart has to be the story for
my first manuscript. That's so often the case isn't it? Like the first
true love that you never forget. The story was inspired by the women in
my family--particularly my sister--and food. I love to cook and am a
huge foodie. I'm also incredibly close with my sister. But who wants to
read a happy book about a woman who loves to cook and loves her sister, a
story where everything is grand? Answer: no one. I certainly don't. So,
again, getting back to the previous question, I started with the kernel
of an emotion, then twisted it up and let my imagination run wild. The
resulting story is about two estranged sisters who are forced to make
the recipes from their grandmother's cookbook, and in the process, learn
something about themselves that can't be quantified by a recipe step.
DO YOU HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOU KEEP YOUR INSPIRATIONS FOR FUTURE STORIES?
I
used to rely on post-it notes to an alarming degree. There was a time
when nothing would get me as excited as a fresh package of post-it
notes. I know, I have issues. Now I'm obsessed with the little Moleskine
notebooks--they're so petite, yet they can hold so much. I carry a
little notebook with me everywhere. Should I be more orderly and have
various files on my computer neatly cataloging all my thoughts?
Absolutely. But, alas, I'm not. Also, I'm old school and feel that some
things, you just gotta write down, sometimes draw circles or even a few
stars around. Other times you have to write to yourself NO NO NO, ALL
WRONG...TRY THIS INSTEAD. Sometimes seeing the progression of an idea is
helpful to me. Also, always having your ideas tucked away in your
pocket feels empowering. Kind of like being a superhero whose power is
kept hidden. Remember the Wonder Twins? Form of a compelling plot! Shape
of a complex character! And, if a genius idea fails to hit me while
riding the subway, if nothing else, I have some extra paper to stick
chewed-up gum. Because we all know, sometimes writers have great days
and other times it's a win just to have something to spit your gum into.
THANK YOU, MONICA.
I am a fan! And I can't wait to see your books in print.
Monica Comas is a former journalist, current freelancer and hopeful author. Her musings can be found at monicacomas@blogspot.com and @MonicaRivCom.
If you are a non-published author and you'd like to tell your story, please contact me at aj_petersen@icloud.com.
Follow me on twitter at @andi_petersen.A
