Friday, September 18, 2009

Inspiration


USA Network is home to some of my favorite shows including: Monk, Psych and NCIS (past seasons). I'm often times awed by the writers on these shows, especially NCIS. To me, those guys and gals are my inspiration. Every episode is a mini mystery novel similar to the type I write (you know, not too violent, thematic with a humorous undertone).

I think it would be way cool to have a writing job like that, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I could be that creative EVERY single day.

Anyway, with that being said, these shows are often a source of inspiration for me. They make me reexamine characters and understand plot arcs and sequences in greater detail. Granted, a 40-minute television show isn't anywhere as complex as a 70k manuscript, but the general ideas remain the same - hook, story building, evidence, twist, ending. To me watching these shows sets the mood and puts my head in the game. Sure, there's other things that inspire me - reading a great book, dreams, the news, family - but nothing is as much fun and entertaining as USA Network.

So what about you? Who or what is the source of your inspiration?

P.S.
YAY it's FRIDAY. Do the happy dance!!!!

9 comments:

Joshua McCune said...

My most recent inspiration was my bedroom closet door :)

Unknown said...

My most recent inspiration was stemmed from anger. I think it helps me focus on excactly how I feel and what I want to say. It explodes out of me like a volcano. LOL... As far as my WIP, I was inspired by a vacation when I was 12, a TV show, and then I changed the channel and it was on something else. It hit me like a ton of bricks! Pow! Right then I had this crazy idea for a story...I've been nuts about it now for a year.

Stephanie Damore said...

Bane - I don't even want to know why. =)

Stephanie Damore said...

Jen - that's awesome when a story hits you like that. You need that POW sometimes to propel you through the writing process.

Mira said...

Okay, now I want to SEE the happy dance! :)

Right now, I'm inspired by deadlines. As in, get your paper in by Friday.

But ordinarily, I have very important goals - those goals are enough to inspire me. I get stalled, but I always start up again.

Cool topic, Steph. Hope schools going well.

Stephanie Damore said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie Damore said...

Mira - Ah, paper deadlines. I don't mind assigning them, but I don't like complying with them!

Laura Martone said...

I have so many inspirations, they're almost too numerous to name. For my novel, HOLLOW SOULS, I'd say the biggest inspirations were Kentucky's Mammoth Cave; my childhood in New Orleans; my frequent visits to South Padre Island (although much of that material has since been cut); my love of art, food, and acoustic guitars; my rocky relationship with my mom; and a fascination with secrets - which I usually can't keep (to clarify, secrets about me, not secrets about others - those I CAN keep).

P.S. Bane's answer is cryptic as usual. :-)

Unknown said...

I don't think so Laura. I think it realy was the closet door... :)