Inspiration Everywhere

Two of the ideas I’m currently working on right now are inspired by weird happenings that a couple of friends posted about on Facebook. Both seemed perfect for the idea for a story and I began working on them. So far both have several iterations of outlines, some dialog snippets that came to mind, and a decent synopsis. 

I recently heard an interview on The Writer Files with one of my favorite authors, S.A. Cosby, where he talked about how he would start by writing a stream of consciousness synopsis that he used to tell himself the story. It’s not meant to be a first draft just getting the story out of his head. Then came organizing, filling in details and plot holes, and the first of many drafts. I tried this method for both of these projects and it worked pretty well. 

I’m not done with either synopsis but I feel less stuck than if I was trying to write a perfect first draft. If there’s something I need to look up I make a note to refer back to and keep going. It’s the difference between taking class notes on a computer versus handwritten notes. In a Word document you are much more limited with how you can go back and make notes or add something later to an earlier part of the story. 

Another recent treat is that my absolute favorite author, Chuck Palahniuk, started a writing workshop newsletter on Substack and it’s been awesome. Lots of advice and anecdotes of his own experience and while they’ve all been good some have hit closer to where I feel I’m at as a writer. One his posts earlier this week validated something I had been doing for years. He suggests carrying a notebook everywhere and writing it down if you see or hear something that would be a great addition to a story. 

I always had a Field Notes notebook and bullet pencil handy when I took the bus or subway to commute in New York. I found the bus to be more entertaining and produced more material but the subway definitely had it’s moments and if I follow through with even half of the ideas I have a title and main points for (along with some choice overheard dialog) you’ll be reading about it sooner than later.