I am in that unique space of having finished the last book in my contract and I have to think of a new story.
Unlike some of my friends (Amanda???) I don’t have an endless fund of story ideas.
So I want to know where I can get some?
My story ideas often come from the previous story, but eventually I run out of characters to write about. That’s the situation I’m in now.
Sometimes my stories come from a little glimmer of an idea, usually based on something historical, like the aftermath of Badajoz (my three soldiers series). Or the laws of the Regency, like in Scandalizing the Ton, where I wanted to explore the inheritance laws of widows, pregnant widows.
I’ve also used various popular Romance themes, like Marriage of Convenience (too many of my books to list!), or in my next release, A Marriage of Notoriety, a Beauty and the Beast theme.
So, is there a story out there you are pining to have someone write? Do you have favorite Romance themes? I’d love to know!!
So many of our soldiers return from Iraq or Afghanistan with extreme challenges to overcome; at least their families know they survived. What if a family was informed that (hero) was deceased, then he returns but not in perfect shape? What then?
This is a good idea, Susan.
I wonder if you know a wonderfully detailed Regency blog, The Regency Redingote? I often think when I’m reading those posts that they might inspire an author. And if they don’t give you any ideas, at least you’ll have brushed-up your detailed knowledge and had some fun! For example, did you know about mote skimmers?
http://regencyredingote.wordpress.com
Oh, and I’ve just read another author answering the question “where do you get your ideas?” with the answer: “I watch movies”! She says she’s always in the lookout for a story which she can rewrite in her own way or, if she sees a good idea badly done she says she strips it down to the basics and writes it better.
I’m not keen on the idea of re-writing stories, but maybe watching some good films might spark you into thinking – how would that translate to Regency times? What’s the real essence of this plot and can I grow it in another way?
It’s a good excuse to catch up on some films, anyway – as long as you leave the sci-fi and fantasy alone!
HJ,
Thanks so much for these ideas of where to get ideas. You are always so helpful!
Diane
I agree that movies so often leave me wanting more that I’m inspired to want to write my own version. Like what is the untold back-story of the character you don’t see much of but you love the look of? Where will they end up? Reading can do similar things for inspiration.
There’s also music. Soundtracks from movies like Braveheart and The Last of the Mohicans are really great for inspiration. And a melancholy tune never ceases to get me in the mood to write something – makes me long for another tragic hero…*sigh!* Pandora radio and now iTunes Radio are free and you can find any number of instrumental soundtracks to get you going.
I also look at art and photographs, particularly online because my library isn’t quite as colorful as all the images available online – Pinterest is fun to look at for inspiration on moments in history, people, locations – beautiful photographs of English countryside often make me long for a story to be set just there! (Don’t have to sign up just to look either!)
I’m looking for inspiration myself as Nanowrimo enters week 2…maybe I need to check out Pinterest and gaze on some Regency images! Good luck, Diane! I hope inspiration strikes with abandon!!!
Good luck with NANOWRIMO, Lesley! And thanks for these suggestions.
I too find that enjoying books, movies, music, in fact, any sort of creative output from others, helps to spark my own ideas. I often feel a bit blocked after an intensive period of writing if I haven’t had time to enjoy the art of others. Then I need to refill the well.
Another idea is to go research something you’ve always been interested in and see if something sparks a story.
I love perusing my collection of research books on the stately homes of England. I always come across a story about the house or its occupants or some odd thing about the house itself that sparks an idea for a story. The book I am currently revising – Wicked in His Arms – was sparked by an article and later a book I read about Audley End which was once the largest stately home in England, so large the servants traveled in pairs.
I’ve always just loved the name “Audley End” – it sounds like what happens if you’re bad (“you’ll come to an Audley End)…
LOL !! It does sound ominous, doesn’t it!
The stately home in my book, the one modeled after Audley End is called Wicken End, home to the Earl of Wickenshire, but of course the house is so scandalous it is called “Wicked” End !!