Where Do Ideas Come?

Writers are sometimes asked, "Where do you get your ideas for your stories?" Ideas come from a pazillion places. If you pay attention during your day to day life, you'll meet up with dozens of them. Some come from snippets of conversation you overhear. Some come from encountering a total stranger in the checkout line. Ideas can come from life experiences, dreams, feelings, and things you read. They can even come from a statement you read on the back of the cereal box.

Keeping a little notebook handy to write down these fleeting ideas is a wise thing to do. If not written down, many a great idea vanishes into thin air within an astonishing short period of time.

Ideas

Where does an author get his or her ideas about which to write?

Ideas are all around us. They come from reading a newspaper or magazine article. They come from overhearing a snippet of a conversation. They come from a dream...or a nightmare. They come from asking question, like "What would happen if...?"

There is no limit to the number of ideas out there. The problem is capturing those ideas before the flea, for ideas for very elusive.

I keep a little pad of paper and pen on the nightstand so that if I think of an idea during the night, I can jot it down because chances are I'll forget it by morning. Carrying a small notebook, or even a folded up piece of blank paper, in one's purse or pocket is a great idea--especially if you develop the habit of actually jotting down ideas and thoughts on it.

Phyllis A. Whitney's Idea for a Writer's Notebook

Years ago I ran across a book by Phyllis A. Whitney in which she gave tips on writing a book of fiction. One part of the book showed how to create a writer's notebook to use when planning and writing a book.

When I studied Phyllis's book, it was like a light turned on for me. Writing a book suddenly became easier and more enjoyable. I found a writer's notebook so helpful in organizing my thoughts and research. It was great having everything I needed for a current (or even future) book project in one handy notebook.

I didn't use the notebook for the last book I wrote and I lived to regret it.

The whole idea is divide the notebook into sections: Such as Characters, Plot, Setting, Research, Future Book Ideas. Then, as an idea comes to you, you just jot it down in the appropriate section. That way, that idea is available to you  when you need it.

I have found when I am hatching an idea for a book, as well as when I'm up to my earlobes in the writing process, snatches of ideas will come to me at all times of the day. If I don't have the good sense to write them down, then that idea vanishes in thin area.

I recommend this book by Phyllis A Whitney for the experienced writer as well as the rookie:
http://www.phyllisawhitney.com/Guide%20to%20Fiction%20Writing.htm