What is the most unlikely or surprising source you found that inspired your writ

1. 83

   Genna Eastposted 8 years ago

   What is the most unlikely or surprising source you found that inspired your writing?
   
   Recently, I visited Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, and was fascinated by the older Victorian-style cottages facing the ocean.  Time and circumstances have been kinder to some than others.  I wondered about the secrets that linger behind and between the walls, and the countless stories they've witnessed over the years. This inspired me to begin writing a short story fiction series.

   replyreport
2. 82

   Faith Reaperposted 8 years ago

   Oh, Genna,
   
   I can imagine just how inspired you are/were in seeing the older Victorian-style cottages, especially facing the ocean. I am looking forward to reading your newly inspired series!  I have always loved Victorian-style architecture, clothing, hairstyles of the day, etc.  It is all so very romantic it seems.  It is so funny but every time I see a certain photo of my beautiful grandmother on my mother's side, I am fascinated by the time and her beautiful Victorian long dresses and their use of parasols to keep the sun from their face.  Plus, she had gorgeous hair pulled up, but it was allowed to be full instead of pulled tight, and so romantic looking. I always think when I see that photo that I should write something on the Victorian era, as her photo always inspires me.  I have written notes.  I know you had to have taken photos!
   
   My grandfather on my mother's side too was a fascinating man and flew in the Royal British Air Force and I just start dreaming of that time too every time I see a photo of him that my sweet mother had placed on her mantle of him standing by his plane in his flight suit.  He was so handsome beyond belief back in his youth.  After graduating from Yale, he joined.  However, he was an entrepreneur too.  Sadly though, he crashed his plane twice and lived, but after the second crash, he suffered brain trauma.  He was never the same and became a different man. So, I guess whenever I see those photos of another time, I am inspired and have been researching, etc. to write, still compiling though.
   
   So many things inspire me and I have so many ideas to write, but I have been remiss in publishing anything here of late just due to other pressing matters in life at the moment, and some new health issues, but nothing the sweet Lord can't heal.  However, you have inspired me here with the thought of your fascinating upcoming series.
   
   For me, what is always surprising to me as far as from where inspiration to write comes, is usually when I am outdoors just sitting quietly enjoying the sun on my face and breeze in my hair and out of nowhere a thought will just pop into my head, even when I am not thinking on such a matter.  I have to run in and write it down or it will go away LOL.
   
   I hope you are enjoying a lovely Sunday afternoon there.

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Genna Eastposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hello, dear Faith...
      
      I just loved your answer and can relate to your fascination with the Victorian images and lifestyle lived by our grandparents.  I hope that the health issues you mentioned are not serous.  Sending loving, healing hugs your way.

      replyreport
   2. 82

      Faith Reaperposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I am fine, dear Genna, and thank you. Sadly, I never knew my grandmother for she died when my mother was young.  My mother grew up on Lake Eerie and my dad in MA. But I grew up in the south due to my dad being stationed down here. Hugs

      replyreport
3. 91

   Jodahposted 8 years ago

   Genna, beautiful old buildings are always an inspiration as your imagination can run wild with the memories that they could hold. Possibly the most unlikely inspirations for me have actually been associated with death....finding the remains of a dead cow on our property I wrote "a Walk in the Bush", then a dead tree that had fallen over in our garden and I had to chop up inspired "Death in Paradise". My wife's sisters sad passing resulted in "Don't Say Sorry". Yet death is not something I normally like to discuss verbally, so it is somewhat surprising.

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Genna Eastposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi John.  These were smaller cottages  built quite close to each other.  Porches  were immaculately swept, with rocking chairs and other seating, but not a soul was to be seen anywhere.  Thanks for commenting.  The death inspiration surprises me too.

      replyreport
4. 82

   peachpurpleposted 8 years ago

   reading, i love reading the newspapers and magazines, gave me a lot of ideas what to write

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Genna Eastposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your answer.  i agree.  We can't write unless we read. :-)

      replyreport
5. 87

   bravewarriorposted 8 years ago

   Genna, I look forward to reading your short story series. Victorian architecture is my favorite style. Furniture, too. I have a lot of Victorian and Mediterranean-style furniture in my home.
   
   I think the most unlikely source of inspiration for me happened recently when I saw a Pileated Woodpecker carving out a nest. I was sitting on my front porch when his activity caught my attention. It inspired me to write a blog post about what we can learn from woodpeckers in defining and achieving our goals.
   
   I became fascinated with the process, then watched and documented the woodpecker family from then until the baby birds left the nest. I wrote two more posts sharing what I witnessed. It was awesome to be a part of this little family's early life. I was sad to see them go, but they're still around. Just the other day I saw the babies flying on their own and pecking at a tree near their original home.
   
   Nature has always inspired me.

   replyreport
   1. 83

      Genna Eastposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I loved your story about the Woodpecker...inspirations come from surprising places.  Thanks for that fascinating answer. :-)

      replyreport
6. 84

   M. T. Dremerposted 8 years ago

   Video games. I think it was something about being immersed in a different world, that I could interact with, that made me more receptive to the stories they were telling. To date, three of the novels I've written have been inspired by specific video games.

   replyreport