Welcome back to another monthly posting for The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG). It is an online group of nervous Nellies, fearful Freds, and twitchy Toms. If that intrigues you, click on the link above to be carried away to blogs-o-plenty. The co-hosts for the July 5th posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, me, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia, and Natalie Aguirre! Visit them first. 🙂
The optional question this month is – Where do your story ideas come from?
Well, the idea for my fantasy series was born out of a short story I wrote based on a picture prompt. I love picture prompts! My more mainstream books have been born out of ripped-from-the-headline ideas. But I’ve also had shorts born out of the most random of places. One time, it was the title for a show promo. Just hearing the title caused the unformed idea I was playing with to coalesce and lead to the heart of what I wanted to write. So… I guess my answer is everywhere. I just never know what will spark my creative brain and that is part of the fun. What about you?
Time for some news.
This first story is dripping with so much irony it cost five figures.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/small-handbag-sold-five-figures_n_649e6dd0e4b0c7e9d8e67347
In science news, it turns out brain “sausage” may be responsible for your out-of-body experiences. So cool!
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/05/1185868647/brain-out-of-body-experience
I leave you with some musical candy. Enjoy and I’ll see you in seven.
kimlajevardi 
I love how just about anything can spark a story idea. Definitely makes life more fun!
Agreed!
Yeah, I get ideas from all sorts of places too. And as a Sci-Fi author, I find science news is full of good writing prompts.
Science news is great for writing prompts!
Those headlines are full of ideas! Almost too many, and all too real 😉
Headlines really are a boon for creative minds.
I love when different inputs coalesce into story ideas! So much fun!
Luckily, ideas are everywhere, and writers have the perfect eye for them. hehehe
Very true.
That is probably the truest answer, Kim–everywhere!
Thanks!
Hi,
Sometimes, it is good to just let your imagination runaway and to watch where it goes. Many a good book became great book to read by other people.
All the best. Shalom shalom
A runaway imagination is most definitely a key ingredient in a great book.
All the best.
I get why someone would make the tiny handbag, as a bit of social commentary. But why someone would pay $65K for it is beyond me. I suppose it’s art, and pricing for art doesn’t have to make sense.
I love using pictures as inspiration for flash fiction–I often participate in the weekly #Writephoto hop at new2writing.wordpress.com. It’s kind of fun 🙂
Yeah, by paying the $65,000, the buyer shows they missed the social commentary point by a mile. Thanks for the info about #writephoto hop. I didn’t know about it.
Images sometimes spark my stories too. But mostly my inspiration comes from my reading.
Reading is a great source as well.
Pictures and images are very important to me too, Kim. I really wasn’t thinking about that until I read your post. I’m highly visual. A lot of ideas come to me when I’m daydreaming, but I definitely will use pictures and images to help me flesh out a story. I know the first thing that would happen to me if I bought that handbag. I’d lose it ~ lol! The story about out of body experiences was really interesting. I have had an OBE when I was held at gunpoint. The moment I thought the man was actually going to shoot me, I was out of my body and unafraid. It was a surreal experience. The experience convinced me that I don’t have to fear dying and that what is essentially me can exist apart from my body. This article doesn’t change my viewpoint, but it raises a lot of questions for me. Thanks for sharing it. And thanks for co-hosting today!
Being held up at gunpoint would definitely cause me to have an OBE. I’m glad you’re okay!
It makes a lot of sense that your inspiration would be very visual! Thanks so much for co-hosting today.
Visuals can definitely help.
Everywhere! Yes! Thanks for co hosting!
Thanks for dropping by!
I had to giggle at the mini-bag. I’ve seen bigger Ladybugs.
Oh yes, headlines, song lyrics – even melodies, can spark a poem or story.
Another terrific post. Thank you for sharing – and for co-hosting!
This made me imagine a ladybug carrying that bag. 😂
LOL – why would anyone want that tiny handbag?
Right?
Thanks for co-hosting today!
Dreams have been mostly sparking my creative brain. The rest that catches my attention into creating a story idea can come from anywhere. Like a song, or a picture on the metro, a sound, etc.
I’m jealous of writers who can mine their dreams. I never remember enough of my dreams.
Don’t you love that ideas can hit you from anywhere? Songs, photos, snippets of overheard conversations anywhere you want to pay attention…
I do.
Hello! Thank you for co-hosting. I like prompts too. They take me places I don’t generally venture into.
They definitely do.
You are so creative, it makes sense inspiration comes from everywhere!
I read “Having an out-of-body experience? Blame this sausage-shaped piece of your brain” with great interest. I’ve been told I have nerve in my ear that causes a sense of wobbling.
The NPR article says, “That means the brain has to make sense of conflicting information: For example, signals from the inner ear may say the body is falling while signals from the eyes say it’s stationary.”
That pretty well describes me when I’m standing in the kitchen preparing a meal.
Thanks for the info and co-hosting our July Blog Hop
Cheers, @ Lynn La Vita
Glad the article sparked some personal recognition for you.
I have a couple of pictures which generated story ideas that are still percolating. Once I get my family memoir out of the way, I’m looking forward to digging into them.
Happy writing!
Thanks for co-hosting with me. I find ideas from random places too.
Thank you back. 😀
Headlines and pictures are great places to find story ideas. I’ve definitely rummaged around Pinterest and found lovely ideas in the photos there.
Thanks for co-hosting!
Pinterest would be a great source!
Always enjoy the links you find. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
Thanks!
That’s some wild news. Who would buy a handbag that small? And pay that much??
Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever had a picture inspire a story. That’s cool.
Thanks for co-hosting!
Pictures are an amazing inspiration.
Headlines are a good place to find ideas.
Thanks for co-hosting today!
They really are. It’s my pleasure.