Tuesday, November 15, 2011

What Inspires You?

So, I'm a thrifter.  I whole-heartedly believe in recycling things, and the saying that "one man's trash is another man's treasure."  The other day, I was at the local DI (Deseret Industries, a thrift store set up by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help those in need.) I was looking through their book section--best place to buy books, by the way--and I came across a whole slew of National Geographics for $0.75 a piece.  I love National Geographic, and would've bought them all, but with my thrifting, I have a tendency toward a "pack-rat" mentality, so I've disciplined myself accordingly, and I limited myself to only one.  This copy had sentimental value for me, because it contained an article about a discovery that greatly influenced a major element in Cobbogoth

Here is a link to a Youtube video that talks about the discovery:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co3jDaWzxUc&feature=related

After skimming the rest of the magazine, I started thinking about the other things, besides peoples and cultures and scientific discoveries that influence my writing, and I was really amazed at how broad the spectrum is.  Anything from a particular piece of music, to a place in nature, to a story that really moved me, are all responsible for how Cobbogoth has ultimately turned out. 

So, what inspires you to write, or if you're not a writer, what inspires you to create? 

6 comments:

  1. Well, the inspiration for a series I'm writing came from a late night conversation on a trampoline.
    But one of the greatest sources of inspiration for me is my best friend. She is a wonderful test audience for scenes, and has helped me escape writer's block multiple times.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erisnyx, That must've been some trampoline conversation to inspire an entire series! I'm so glad you have a friend to bounce ideas off of, too. I think one of the greatest things that ever happened to my writing was joining a writer's group. It's amazing what collaboration can do to the creative process!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Most of my inspiration for my current series comes from my friend Abbi (she's terrific!). But movie soundtracks keep me pumping through. I've gotten a lot of my best ideas listening to Lord of the Rings. For some reason it really gets my brain going!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I hear you there, Shaylanne! You should try "The Last of the Mohicans" soundtrack. That one does wonders for me.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yep...last of the Mohicans makes it on there! I also have soundtracks from the Narnia movies, and from Escape to Madagascar. Those are the main ones off my pandora station (though I do get some Enya and Harry Potter from time to time).

    ReplyDelete