Inspired By........

I often wonder who or what inspires other writers in their stories and writing. Some authors weave such fantastic tales filled with vivid locales and wild characters that transport me into their worlds so completely it is mildly painful to stop reading. When I'm done with a book of that impact I think about how the author came up with all of it.

In my writing, I am inspired by two things more than any other. One being music and the other being my children and their friends. These two things can spark an idea in my head and my imagination is off to the races. I know that I need to jot them down quickly or I will forget the angles that I've thought of.

My children and their friends will give me specific idea for a story or a character; the girl who was left out because of a misunderstanding, the giddiness of having a substitute teacher, or maybe that smile the boy you like gave you before boarding the bus at the end of the day. Those things can sometimes be lost to us adults as we have already experienced those things. As a young adult writer I believe those genuine little touches to be endearing and authentic to a reader. As a young adult reader, those moments often stick with me longer than some of the bigger plot lines.

Music inspires me differently. Instead of a specific incident it moves me to feeling a certain way. Throw on some Black Eyed Peas and I'm pumped for a fun scene. Fall Out Boy or Hawthorne Heights awakens that wistfulness in me for more insightful plots. Need to inject some angry or intensity in the story? Easy enough, just play some 30 Seconds to Mars or Escape the Fate.

Combine the two elements and I have a recipe for writing with feeling, authenticity, and honesty. Every single book I've ever loved has had all three of those things. You can't force those things, you can't fake them or it shows in the story. While I am far from perfect in my writing, I do feel that I have those three items. I can always improve my writing fundamentals, but not the emotion of the words I put on the page.

Have a great weekend!