This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.)
This month’s question — When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
The awesome co-hosts for May 3 are Joylene Nowell Butler, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Meka James, Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!
xx
Two pieces inspire me most when I am writing. The first is research. Since I write prehistoric fiction, I do a lot of digging into topics I know nothing about. I never fail to come away with a sense of awe for what I didn’t know and how it fits into the big picture of life.
The second is my characters. Once I’ve written enough about them to feel we know each other, I like to let them act like real people (which they are–at least in my head). They end up doing stuff I never could have thought up!
How about you? I look forward to reading your thoughts.
#iwsg #amwriting
@TheIWSG
Copyright ©2023 worddreams.wordpress.com – All rights reserved.
Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:
https://jacqui-murray.aweb.page/p/46e8c9bf-eaed-4252-8aad-3688e233a4cc
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Man vs. Nature saga, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the acclaimed Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Endangered Species, Winter 2024
worddreams.wordpress.com 
Jacqui, I appreciate what you share. My writing journey has filled up a portion of life after retirement from teaching. My classroom has been transformed indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are on the same path. I still teach online classes, but much less than the full day I used to put in. I’ll be over to see what you’re up to!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
INSPIRING PEOPLE ALL-!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
U. R. WELCOME!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish research was more of an inspiration for me and less of a time suck. I enjoy it a little too much (I’m a librarian, so enjoying research is an occupational hazard), and I can fritter away hours researching some trivial thing that makes up a tiny portion of the story (if I use it at all).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually like that, but I have a lot of free time (not having an onsite job). I understand what you mean about the time suck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The truth of great fiction – only possible after dedicated research, Connected at once with Grace’s comment – like painting a picture., and the concept of writing in layers.
Every edit of my supposedly completed WIP reveals more – because so much more research has been done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh I like that, Esther. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re so right. I’m about to finish a rough rough draft and looking forward to digging into the layers for more depth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Credit to my artist cousin really and her intricate paintings..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Jacqui! I hope that you had fun on IWSG Day. I always enjoy visiting around. I’m inspired by research as well. Like you, I enjoy learning, and there are endless things to learn. You certainly put your research to good use in your marvelous prehistoric books! I didn’t really think of my characters as inspiring until you brought it up. But you’re right, they do. My characters are alive to me, and there’s always a point when they take control ~ lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love when we-all compare notes and am glad it only happens once a month. There is so much to read from like-minded folk who all love writing as I do.
LikeLike
Research inspires me too, because I can find things I did not know which fit like missing puzzle pieces into my story…
Otherwise, anything can inspire me – a story I have read/ listened to, a song, an image…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I found one of those puzzle pieces yesterday so I know exactly what you mean. Thanks, Marina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Research is key, isn’t it? In mystery fiction, I always ask myself two questions when starting a book, “What if” and “Why?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
That ‘what if’ question is critical, innit. It makes a story unique among its peers. Thanks, Debra.
LikeLiked by 1 person
In general, I would have to say that I’m inspired by voices from the ether who want me to tell their stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love hearing you say that, Liz. I always felt like my first character–Lucy–did that. It’s gratifying to know that happens for other writers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wasn’t sure whether my response was too airy-fairy. I’m glad it wasn’t!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not at all, though I probably agree with you the first time I felt that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your inspirations. It’s wonderful when you stride into your characters’ world, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah it is! I wish I could write Westerns like you do, Sandra. That is an amazing world.
Except for the heat and the spiders. Other than that…
LikeLike
What a kind thing to say. Especially from someone who, in my opinion, has carved out a niche in the one of the toughest genres to write.
PS Snakes. It’s the snakes that would get me…..
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can see how doing research is essential to the genre you write it. Glad you find it so inspiring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve always enjoyed research, much more than the writing, but as I age, it is starting to equal out.
LikeLike
The wind, a cloud, that crack in the sidewalk.
A song, the screech of brakes, the roar of jet engines.
Bacon firing in a pan, a green tomato about to ripen,
A question, an answer or a word in between.
or just putting hands on keys and letting my mind wonder where it may.
LikeLiked by 3 people
That is so true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the interaction you have with your characters and research Jacqui. Makes me wish I wrote stories like this~! ❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, they are memoirs of our ancestors. That makes it a lot easier to write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh got it and that makes sense! ❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am addicted to research. When I’m starting a new story I dive in, head first, and it takes an act of nature to bring me back. The blessing (and curse?) of research is that I usually end up with more story ideas to file away! I guess that’s not a bad thing, not really.
The main thing that inspires me is my own, over-active imagination. I can hear a song, see a movie, read a story and suddenly I’m creating side plots, my own version, or a scene that would play out perfectly to the lyrics. Nothing is safe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We share that, Jen. Research, in context, is about as good as it gets.
LikeLike
I’m general inspired by a concept or a What if? scenario, but I stay inspired by my characters. I can relate to feeling they are alive in my mind, and they seem to take on a life of their own. Writing is like continuing a friendship with them, and yes, they are full of surprises.
My favorite thing is when my characters make me laugh out loud as I’m writing.
Research has been a delightful find for me, since my Miss Liv Adventures series is my first step into historical settings. It can be a time consuming rabbit hole, but it’s amazing and fun to discover what’s hidden there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is the beauty of historical fiction, innit–that research. The more you learn about our past, the better you can see how everything fits together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I had some not-so-great History teachers in high school and took as little as possible in college because of it. They always seemed to focus on wars, which didn’t interest me much.
It’s fascinating to look through the scope of more personal details needed in storytelling for a character from the time period.
I also enjoy books that gather actual letters and diary entries, etc., to show social responses to the events of various eras.
LikeLike
I get inspired by reading my travel journals and looking at the pictures I took while visiting the country I’m writing about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can so see that, Darlene. I don’t travel much, but the few times I do–it’s so hard not to get inspired by the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We may come from different parts of the world, but I like that we writers have so much in common. I haven’t met a writer yet who doesn’t feel a strong connection to their characters. They absolutely do feel real.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went to the doctor’s office once and asked for a character in my book! I had just left my novel editing for the appointment and couldn’t quite pull myself out.
That’s my long way of saying: I agree!
LikeLike
Hi, Jacqui – Good research can lead to so many great (and often unexpected) things. I love how characters quickly take on lives of their own. Both of these things combine make for a wonderful experience for the reader!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes writing so much easier than we’d expect, doesn’t it–when the characters act out the movie. Love that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, research is my answer today too. I agree characters become real as we write them and get into their lives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you and I write (or have written) a lot of non-fic. I started with that because of the research.
LikeLike
Pingback: #IWSG What Inspires Your Writing – hermienzwiers.com
The characters definitely inspire me, Jacqui. Sometimes research can be time-consuming and tedious, but still necessary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. I am totally inspired by mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great response, Jacqui! I agree that research and characters can inspire a story. Only thing I can add to that is a setting can propel a story too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and I do a lot of that, with our focus on nature, don’t we?
LikeLike
Research is the best motivation. I love it, too–so much that sometimes I skip the writing and follow the rabbit hole that I’ve found fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I keep going back to it! It is so much fun.
LikeLike
Spot on, Jacqui – I would also have to add a plot line, probably the biggest challenge for me. Toni x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean–about plot being inspiring. I feel that too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Research and characters, definitely 🙂
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Joining the Creator Economy
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice to touch base with you, Ronel. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I love it when the characters take on a life of their own and we have to steer them back a little bit. I remember writing a scene once and at the end of it, I did a silent clapping thing and squealed, “I didn’t know that was going to happen!” That makes writing fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I love that feeling, Anneli. So true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Currently reading Born in a Treacherous Time and the thing that hooked me and keeps me reading is the characters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Herb. Your long-ago ancestors. What a life they had! The more I researched, the more I respected them.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The blend of research and “real” characters is a winning combo, Jacqui. With those two inspirations, your stories flow. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Diana. I’m in the middle of that inspiration right now and it feels so good!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Usually whatever sparked the story’s idea is what inspires me the most. But I’m also inspired by music, deadlines, research, character, plot, and sometimes just one really beautiful sentence. If there’s magic on the page, it makes me strive to make more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are great inspirations, Staci. I agree with all–though deadlines? Maybe they are more stress than inspiration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit of both, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And that sense of accomplishment when you meet a deadline–excellent feeling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or at least a huge relief. lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Authoring stories is like painting a picture. I write in layers. The background of the picture is the setting where I do lots of research into the time and place. I get lots of ideas when I discover how people ate, dressed, spoke to one another and how they moved from one place to another. The characters are added to the picture with the way they feel about themselves and their interactions with their environment. What do my characters want and how far are they willing to go to get it? Adding motivation and pacing story keeps the reader turning the page.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a perfect allusion, Grace. I’m with you on that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you add the five senses to your stories. It is important to give people a sense, especially smell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can never know it all so research is a great way to make a dent in the unknown.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m looking forward to seeing what motivates other #IWSG folk.
LikeLike
I have to agree with you about characters, Jacqui. Mine inspire me as well. Research is also something I enjoy doing, but you dive much deeper than I do!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m working on the ending sequence of scenes in Book 2 of my trilogy. They didn’t hold together and I realized I wasn’t listening to my characters. Duh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent inspiration, Jacqui.
My mission motivates me to write: to entertain, inform, and inspire. I tap into my favorite Nelson Henderson quote for additional inspiration: “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is a wonderful quote. Thanks, Grant. Words to get me through the day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not surprised to hear research inspires you to write, Jacqui. You’re a pro! Music has always been an inspiration for me.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It used to be for me, but something changed. I have no idea what. Looking forward to your next book. Any news?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No release date as of today…book two is due soon. Thanks for asking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So you’re telling me to exercise what little patience I possess? Alright. For you, I will.
LikeLike
Hi Jacqui – at the moment … I need a kick up the backside to get my act into gear – way too many choices in my head. I just think you’ve created wonderful characters – and yes they appear real. Cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad they sound real to you. It’s challenging when your only clues are bits of bone and rocks!
LikeLike
Good morning, dear Jacqui,
writing non-fiction, I get most of my ideas when I am reading or when I chat with friends. Other people inspire me.
A second source is dreams. Well, that’s self-inspiring.
Keep well
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
That makes sense, Klausbernd. Friends and books are your research and then your big brain snaps the pieces together. I often call that akin to the Vulcan game of Kal-toh, where one move puts the entire picture into focus. StarTrek’s Tuvok said its purpose was to create “order even in the midst of profound chaos” but I say to get all the ducks in a row.
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: #IWSG What Inspires Your Writing — – uwerolandgross