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Where do you get your ideas from?
Writers build world from words, yet that question…
Oh, that question.
At the moment, I’m in my hometown. I’m happy to be here, but I long for my adopted home, Toronto. I’m in Winnipeg to visit friends and family, but I’m also here to conduct a little research on book. A book based on an idea I had a long time ago. An idea set in Winnipeg’s history.
Don’t ask me where that idea came from.
Ideas come from snippets of conversation, the hue of a sunset, the twist of a misunderstood phrase, a wardrobe malfunction, an epitaph.
I can just imagine the Shuffle Demons in 1984, drumming their fingers, humming a tune that would lead to their next recording, all while waiting for the bus. But not just any bus–
The 77B da-da-doo-ka-dee on the TTC skimm-a-dee-boo-bop-beeWhat’s that? Don’t speak Torontonian? Allow me to translate:
TTC: Toronto Transit Commission 77B: THE SPADINA BUS!
Research is exciting. It heralds an idea growing. Enjoy your time in Winnipeg as we all await more teasers about your “long time ago” idea!
At least five books away, Patricia, so don’t hold your breath! We shall have many lattes in the interim, plenty of time to partake in the journey as this idea unfolds.
I always answer “I don’t know, they just show up!”
Snort! Kinda like zits and old boyfriends…
You’re right. Ideas come from everywhere. Impressions drop into into our mind all day long but one will smolder until the day it pops up formed into. . .”Aha, I have an idea!” How can we know what it will be until it is ready–or maybe until we are ready.
Oooo. Until we are ready. I like the way your mind works, Cora!
I could write a novella on where ideas come from, Sherry. You excel at the ability to capture the beauty and nuances of the world and people around you, and you’re astute enough to keep notes and take pictures. Me? Not so much.
One day I will find the scraps torn from Reader’s Digest (crammed into one of my three writing bags), and consolidate the plethora of snippets/ideas/funny/glob ideas folders, files and documents in the laptop.
For now, I store them in the crooks and crannies in my noggin, and let them pop into conscious thought at will.
Dangerous thought, that.
Who you kidding, Gloria? Your scraps and snippets find their way into chat, blog posts and comments, and into ALL INN. And with so much more punch and aplomb than Readers’ Digest could ever aspire to!
Ain’t that the truth. I have a folder of snippets that could one day be books. Like you said, snippets grow.
Can’t say I’m yearning for the 77B. Toronto traffic is getting crazy.
Safe journey home, Sherry!
I’m outdated, Sharon. Seems the 77B has been changed, we’ll need a new song, the LRT Blues, something like that.
Wish I’d written that song, Drops of Jupiter, by Train. Those lyrics are killer!
Blogging on the road…my hero!!
Ideas come from everything and nothing at all. It’s so amazing to me. The other day I went into a vintage shop and talked to the owner. She’d had a old surgical gurney for sale as a Halloween prop. A woman who collects old medical equipment bought it. Is that not a spooky story begging to happen?
Safe travels and fun family visits!!
Strangely, I want that item.
Er, blogging in advance, actually. Can I still be your hero?
Vintage shops are full of great vibes and great ideas. That gurney would make a great prop for brainstorming!
Yes, those ideas do pop up when you least expect it. Thanks for making me smile in the knowledge that I’m not the only random brainstormer.
Hey Brinda!
Wishing you a gurney, and the surgical mask to go with!
To me it’s amazing that these stories pop in our heads and we can’t rest until we put them down, write them up and bundled them into a wonderful story. Which is what I expect you will be doing Sherry! Save travels.