Brains are amazing organs. The mental part holds memories from experiences and learning and can create imaginative ideas even when the body is not awake. Putting the two together is where stories evolve. I didn't even know I wanted to write a story until this dream character kept showing up in my mind at night. In the end, she didn't even end up in my first novel for she inspired other stories before her own, but hers is the third one in the Aegis series.
Once started, however, new ideas and characters began to develop. Now my initial story ideas develop when I'm walking, which I think frees my mind to wander, too. Once started, though, the ideas come while writing the story.
At the beginning of my writing, I found I liked to write science fiction and fantasy, but have since expanded into trying historical fiction and I might, maybe, even write some contemporary romance.
While writing fantasy and sci-fi I've found I like to delve into both historical and contemporary problems and issues as background in my stories. Why these problems in the future? As conditions change, what has happened in the past can under certain circumstances, always happen again.
Storytelling is an ancient art form that has provided listeners and readers not only entertainment but also lessons about life, and I hope that is what my fiction does while taking readers on (hopefully) imaginative journeys.
Visit these authors for more about where stories come from:
Like you, I find walking lets my mind free to wander and ideas, characters, whole scenes and conversations start rolling through my mind. The trick is getting home and capturing it all before it slips away.
ReplyDeleteYes, thoughts are slippery things that need to be preserved in written words.
DeleteI often have ideas when walking, too, Rhobin. Despite this happening frequently, I still haven't got in the habit of taking a notebook to jot them down!
ReplyDeleteI would love for an idea to come in a dream, but sadly that's never happened yet, despite me willing it to happen on going to sleep.
Thanks for organising the round robin. I really enjoyed the topic!
Sometimes, Helena, those persistent pre-sleep thoughts can do the same thing!
ReplyDeleteMy ideas come at odds times and usually when I'm alone. It's not surprising since ideas are hard to follow when you have someone chattering in your ear. My husband seems to sense when I'm in the middle of something and could do without interruptions. That, of course, is when he has to talk to me. LOL Even now as I type this, he's in the room with me, which is fine, and I'm typing away madly at this response, and he starts chattering at me. Yes, I enjoy conversations with him, but, please, don't interrupt my train of thought. It might derail and I'll never catch it again. LOL
ReplyDeleteI think you should absolutely write a contemporary romance. I will cheer you on. 😊
Yes, I have some ideas for contemporary romances. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs to having life-partners talking when you least want it. I call it author reclusivity, but I also know it is important for me to listen to those who talk to me in real-life.
It's funny that you mention that people can learn life lessons from fiction. One of my sons, a very good writer himself, has read and reviewed most of my books. Recently he moved 6 hours away for a new job, and to be with his lady. We've been doing a lot of emailing, just the two of us. He pointed out that he's learned quite a few life lessons about love and commitment from reading my books. I had to look at them in a new light when he said that. My tagline is "erotic encounters that lead to love," but according to him, it could be "Love is the answer to all of life's questions." And now that I think about it, he's right. I'm glad that reading my scribbling has enabled him to gain insights into how to commit to a relationship--in fact what a good one looks like. He's given me a gift, in saying there's a message he's learned. Now if only I could get him to keep writing sci-fi, we could both be published!
ReplyDeleteThanks for another excellent topic, Rhobin and Fiona. Having read all the posts I think we are more similar than different in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteWhat caught me from your post, Rhobin, is how one idea leads to another. I agree, and it can take many forms, like a minor character in one story insisting on being centre stage in another.
ReplyDeleteLearning life from fiction. Isn't that what we did as children? Living a nomadic childhood, reading and empathizing with the characters helped me to adapt and learn how to 'read' people.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhobin, Brains are amazing organisms. I'm always fascinated by the things that float to the surface when writing. In particular, I will write a sentence, maybe more, and think 'Wait a minute. What's that about?' But I've learned to leave those in with a mental marker that they exist. Almost always, they turn out to foreshadow something of importance further through the story. It's weird. It works. Anne
ReplyDeleteYou are the second blogger who mentions ideas from dreams. I never recall mine, or if I do it's just a meaningless fragment. Of course a dream could suggest something to one's subconscious, Maybe I should be paying more attention.
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