…which is why I feel it’s perfectly acceptable to draw from anything and anyone around me for inspiration. How often do we read something that sounds far-fetched? Chances are, if you were reading a fictitious story that original idea had to come from somewhere. Most likely it was inspired by true events, or perhaps a trip on some excellent street pharmaceuticals (for the record: I listened to Nancy Reagan when I was a kid, and just say no to drugs, but support your right to choose for yourself).
One of the nicknames I had in college was “Sponge,” because I would sit quietly and soak everything in. There were many times where I was asked if I had anything to contribute to various conversations, such as guys offering sage advice to other guys on “how to pick up chicks,” and my reply was always, “No, just happy to listen.”
There’s so much you can learn from listening, and I’ve filed away many records in my cranial filing cabinet that are waiting to be retrieved at the right moment for either helping others or creating realistic fiction. I’ve even found a way to incorporate someone never wearing the same pair of socks twice into one of my stories, and yes, I do know someone personally with that habit.
Imagine some of the weirdest things you’ve read in novels; what could have inspired that? I’m so thankful for other writers/observers of life, and of course those we observe. Without the oddity of life, stories would be flat, drab, and unreadable. What’s something strange you’ve read in a book, and what do you believe was the origin? Or, what’s something mind-boggling you’ve seen or heard happen? Feel free to share in the comments below.