Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are PJ Colando, Kim Lajevardi, Gwen Gardner, Pat Garcia and Natalie Aguirre.
This month's optional question is: 99% of my story ideas come from dreams. Where do yours predominantly come from?
This is a really good question. I have to say I rarely get story ideas in dreams, although I have had a couple of good ones. It just doesn't happen very often. Most of the time, ideas will suggest themselves when I have some downtime to think (like when out on a walk) and things that have been swirling around my head crash together and suggest something new and different. I'm constantly soaking up information about the outside world (and let's be honest, quite often worrying and stewing about it) and regurgitating it through plotlines is my brain's way of dealing with it. Of course, at other times overhearing a fragment of conversation or catching something on TV is enough to spark an idea off. I don't always write these ideas down straight away, but if I'm still thinking about it a day later then there might be something to it and it'll receive a scribble in my notebook.
Just a couple of quick news items now. My debut traditionally published book, The Becalmer, will be out in just over a month (it's sneaking up fast!) and I've entered the beautiful cover in AllAuthor's cover of the month contest for July. If you could spare a minute to vote by going here, it would be greatly appreciated!
And, all my previous books are available for free for this month in the Smashwords Summer/Winter sale. So if you'd like to check out my YA dystopian series or collection of shorter speculative fiction, you can find them all here.
To visit other wonderful ISWG authors, check out the list here!
11 comments:
I just voted for you. And it's so exciting that your book will be released soon. I'm glad to shout out about it on 9/18 in my Follower News. Email me if you're interested.
Now I'm starting to feel the odd duck since my story ideas do come from dreams.
One more month! And happy to vote for your cover.
I voted (Leigh Caron) but don't see my photo. Woot,woot on your book release! Wishing you BIG sales.
I've had a few story ideas from dreams, but more often than not it's anyone's guess where the idea will come from.
Congrats. I do love the Smashwords sale. Lots of great books out there.
Crashing ideas sounds like it happens to a lot of people. Happy writing!
Best wishes for your up and coming new release! Exciting times!
Congratulations on your new release! Yes, I voted too. I recently read your BLACK & WHITE and left a review, though I would love to see your name a little bigger on your covers! Looking forward to reading more. Have a great summer.
I think you nailed it, Nick, with the idea of downtime. Whether it's dreams, meditation, walking... the best ideas come when we give our minds a chance to play and process all that we've been force feeding them day after day.
Congrats on the cover and the upcoming release!
Congratulations on the upcoming book!
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