Idea Pool - Writers Forum

Sam · 11-25-2003, 05:29 PM

Well, actually I don’t have a pool, I only have a shower. But hey, it works for me.

What am I talking about? Ideas, that’s what.

Here’s a topic we’ve all seen before: how do you get your ideas?

In a small bid for originality, I’m mainly appealing to those with a somewhat peculiar way of gaining inspiration. Example? Well, for me one of the best spawning grounds for new ideas is, in fact, a late-night shower.

Why? I think it’s a productive combo of the relaxation brought by a nice warm shower and the natural over activity of my brain when it starts burning the midnight oil. Whatever it is those metaphorical fumes are doing I pray they keep on doing so as, whenever the clock strikes 12 the right side of my brain kicks into overdrive.

Actually, my current story is much more a product of Gary Jules’ rendition of Mad World; the lyrics sparked off an idea that has now become a real stickler in my brain.

So, anyone else have a slightly abstract way of shifting their brain up a gear? Assuming, of course, you don’t just redline it 24-hours a day…

Sneaky · 11-28-2003, 02:15 PM

Cleanliness coming next to poetliness

I am going to try it, if it does not work i`ll send you the bill for exessive use of water. I don`t do any relaxing things, i just have a feeling, that i could write something or i dont have it.

ltpalmer · 11-30-2003, 03:35 AM

I get ideas from virtually everything. I had to start carrying a notepad with me at all times so I could write them down. They come from TV, newspapers, people watching; everywhere. I will take an initial idea and evolve it into something that does not resemble anything close to what I started with. The key is knowing when to stop. I have a big problem with that at times.

**Penelope** · 11-30-2003, 04:53 AM

I get ideas from reading about other people's thoughts and how they express them. It's the best thing about an active writing community.

type · 12-01-2003, 08:48 PM

I like to read the newspapers for inspiration and when I do come across a good story, I will ask "What if...?" If I am interested in writing an article or a book, I will consider possible specific audiences and what each of them might want to know.

hollyoake · 12-02-2003, 03:18 AM

i am like L, i think i have about eight notepads stashed around the house right now, ideas although very few for me thses days are all around me, the seasons, animals, people i see through my window, and people i meet on the net as you might well know!

Aevin · 12-04-2003, 03:11 PM

Awhile back, I was writing a story under a pen name, and wouldn't write a word until I had somewhat convinced myself that the pen name was, in fact, MY name. That is, I'd spend several minutes signing the fake name in cursive, or writing the title of the story and a byline with the fake name. At the time, it seemed as if the writing were going more smoothly when I performed these rituals. Eventually I weened myself from this practice, in part because the story contained things I definitely wanted to take credit for if it were ever published.

AngelsKry2 · 12-12-2003, 11:28 AM

My friend James gets his ideas from Music, any type of music. From hard rock to slow-soft celtic. Yeah.
I get my ideas from other people's poems and their feelings on life. I also get my ideas from my past and memories. I can make wonderful poetry by just thinking of the things that I've done. I also get ideas from music, considering that music is a type of poetry. Also I get it from stories that I've written, or other authors have written.

claire_marie · 12-13-2003, 06:01 AM

i get my ideas from all kinds of things. we were working on this in my english class, different stimuli and exploring what works best for us. i found that it worked if i looked at a picture of something, for example a painting of a town and its harbour, because i found it easy to make up a story from that. also i agree that music is a good stimulus, we were asked to listen to music and then write a story, and i found that that worked pretty well also.
sometimes though i just get it from apparently nothing, sometimes i'm just thinking about something and a good idea springs into my mind, and i write it down quickly before i forget. that happens quite a lot and personally i find that that special type of inspiration is usually the best, and thats when i write the best stories/poems.

Jollster · 12-13-2003, 08:41 PM

I get my best ideas when I'm stuck in something I can't get out of, work etc. When I should be doing something else.

Capulet · 12-14-2003, 01:18 AM

My mind is flighty in general. I keep the standard "dream journal", and I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go in case something occurs to me. Other than that I just eat really strong salsa with chocolate milk and let the indigestion fueled hallucinations guide the way!

Lord Archimage Nykimbur · 12-19-2003, 05:35 PM

I get inspiration from my interests; anime, videogames etc. and when I was younger I could write anything and anyone which I would like to be associated with in real life, but I'm maturing a bit now and I try to create characters freer from my bias.

Farror · 12-19-2003, 06:02 PM

I get idea's from situations, places, dreams and ambitions. Or books, yes, always books.

Capulet · 12-19-2003, 07:54 PM

Lots of famous stories are just adaptations of the classics. Bone up on your mythologies and religions of the worlds and you'll never run out of ideas!

die_daily · 12-19-2003, 09:12 PM

uhm, I usuallly get my ideas from music, or more specifically, from titles. Wierd, I guess, but sear me or through the collective pain or skin strip, you know, strange shit like that gets me thinking, writing.

also, just everyday things like I'll be watching something and totally misunderstand what somebody said and be like, he said what?.