The question I’m asked most…

I have a couple of books out and have done several blog interviews and guest posts around the internet, and one of the questions I’m asked most (in varying forms) is:

What’s your inspiration? What inspired you to write this story? Where to you draw inspiration?

I actually have a folder on my desktop devoted to story ideas. If I’m lucky enough to be able to write even a third of these stories in this lifetime, I’ll have achieved a monumental dream. I carry a small notebook in my purse so I can jot down ideas when I’m not near my beloved laptop :) Maybe it’ll be just a sentence, a character name, a quick outline, an in depth outline, or just a snippet of a scene that I can’t actually base an entire story around, but I loved it so much I hope to find a home for it eventually in a future story. Then, as soon as I’m near my computer, I pop those tidbits in my “story idea” folder.

As for where I find inspiration, it surrounds us all day, every day. At least that’s my belief. Ideas come from conversations with friends, family, co-workers or even an overheard blip while I’m out and about. I can get an idea from a news article I’m reading, or a news story on television. Scenes or stories or even characters come to me in everyday life as I people watch when I’m at the mall, driving in my car, listening to music or just daydreaming and playing “what if”. I’ve even had a few hit me when I’m right on the wonderful verge of sleep and wakefulness. And now I keep a notebook and pen beside my bed so I can jump up and write those ideas down as well, because if I tell myself I’ll do it in the morning (((SWOOSH))) I won’t remember anything when I awake…only that I had an idea that I loved and nothing more.

Basically, what I’m saying is inspiration is EVERYWHERE!

My contemporary romance BACHELOR’S SPECIAL, which will release soon (I have a release date, but am holding back from sharing just yet because I don’t want to jinx myself…lol) came to me while I was daydreaming on my drive into work. Now, don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t mean I wasn’t concentrating on my driving…lol…but I have a long commute and it gives me lots of time to work through story issues or toss around ideas.

I don’t have an official blurb, but here’s a quickie idea of what Bachelor’s Special is all about:

JILL ADGATE is an unemployed chef who wants four things out of life:  a successful catering business, the devoted love of an exceptional man, and a family.  Oh, and the ability to control her nervous stomach.

CHET CASTLE is a prosperous businessman who has it all, except the ability to trust.  Burned by a money-hungry fiancée ten years ago, he refuses to get involved in any relationship with a shelf life longer than a head of lettuce.

This contemporary romance will release with the Indulgence line and involves a sixty-second deal, several emotional awakening moments, and some memorable characters. Oh and there’s something about a swimming pool, a car that needs a good tune up, and a lesson in…

Teehee…I’m going to make you wait to find out more :)

Here’s my question for any other writers out there…How are you inspired? Are you like me and find inspiration all around you, sometimes overtaking your everyday life so much that you’re jotting down ideas in your constant companion notebook to stay organized…or do you struggle to come up with a story idea, plot, concept or characters?

And, if you’re a reader, are you ever reading a book and imagining a alternate ending or an additional scene or wishing the characters would react another way in certain situations…in other words, are you becoming inspired with your own ideas as you read?

Posted on January 28, 2013 by . This entry was posted in Christine Warner and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

18 comments on “The question I’m asked most…”

  1. Calisa Rhose on said:

    So true. It is everywhere, Christine. I also forget a LOT because I don’t write it when I think of it. LOL

  2. Jennifer Shirk on said:

    Yes! That’s so funny. That’s how I started writing. I would re-write the ending in my mind and finally decided to put it on paper.

    Your book sounds fab too!!!

  3. Cait on said:

    I can’t wait for Batchelor’s Special to be released :) am dying to download it. You know, last night, inspiration struck just before I fell asleep and I lazily decided not to turn on the light — it was so good I’d remember it. Ha. I’ve only remembered that Ihaven’t remembered it because of your post! I won’t be doing that again. Great post Christine!

    • ChristineWarner on said:

      LOL…Cait, I’ve done that so often I can’t count them anymore…which is why there is now a notebook, or at least a piece of paper, beside my bed. But I do admit sometimes I wake up in the morning and look at it and wonder what the heck I was trying to say!

  4. Sharon Cullen on said:

    I completely agree about inspiration. You just have to open your mind to the possibilities and the ideas.

  5. Sheri Fredricks on said:

    Sometimes there’s information overload when story ideas come at you like a downpour of hail. It’s why I have to write with an outline or story sketch. If I didn’t, I’d be afraid the story would go on and on and on….

    Your latest book idea sounds….delicious!

    • ChristineWarner on said:

      Thanks Sheri for stopping by.

      I agree, it’s easiest to work with an outline. To easy to lose focus if you don’t, or like you said, the story kind of takes on a life of it’s own.

  6. Neecy Kelly on said:

    I like keeping my characters real.You know, the everyday Jake and Jill type. It’s all about writing what I know for me.
    Great post,
    Neecy

    • ChristineWarner on said:

      Writing what you know is wonderful, but there are times I do like to go out of my comfort zone and add in something foreign to me so that I have to research. A great excuse to learn something new :)

      Thanks for coming by Neecy!

  7. Callie Hutton on said:

    Great article,Christine. One never knows where that bolt of lightening comes from.

  8. Brenda on said:

    You’re so right. Inspiration is all around us.
    For me I find inspiration in what-ifs. I love shaping an idea into a workable story.

  9. Cerian Hebert on said:

    I get a lot of my inspiration from music, but I’d have to say most comes from daydreams. I used to daydream A LOT when I was younger, putting myself into all sorts of scenarios. Made for great story ideas!

    Yes, a lot of books I read I’d like to see end differently (ie Nicholas Sparks) or wanting characters to react differently in some situations. But if I really like the book then I leave things as they are. :)

    • ChristineWarner on said:

      I’m with you Ceri, if I am enjoying a book and I like the characters, I don’t usually change scenes in my mind. I just smile and read and feel good about the story all the way through. It’s a great feeling.

      Thanks so much for coming by.