Inspiration

It can come from anywhere and with today’s technology it is easy to record. I carry a note book with me at all times. In face I have several stashed all over – beside the bed, in the car, in my office, beside my favourite chair in the lounge and then of course the one in my handbag. So anytime an idea hits I can record it. It might be anything, a word, a sentence, a name, a scene or a new story idea. Whatever it is I’m ready for it.

I have heard some writers say that you don’t need to do this. That if it’s worth remembering then you will. That doesn’t work for me. Very often in that moment between awake and asleep I have a strange clarity. If I leave it for the morning then I’ve lost it. I need to write it down immediately. But if I have a vivid dream I need to dwell on it, think it through and turn it over in my head before it is clear enough to write down.

With the wonders of modern technology you can record anything at anytime. Now I am the first to admit that I was a little bit slow to come to some of this new fangled stuff, particularly smart phones. I confused the salesman completely when I finally made the plunge when I asked if I could use it to make phone calls. Well, it didn’t seem like an important feature when he went through what it could do, I just had to ask.

Now I’m sold on it. Yes I use it to call people but I also use its other features. Great for notes, I can record voice messages and best of all is the camera.

Inspiration can come from anything, over stuffed antique shop shelves, museums or art galleries, people on the street (although they get a bit funny if you want to take pictures), colours in the garden, patterns of light on the wall, somewhere exotic or even patterns on the cat (mine has a target on her side).

Go out, see the world and its wonders and use those sights in your writing.

Happy scribbling