Often we concentrate on deep thoughts or challenging moments to stimulate the mind and come up with stories — to find inspiration — and in the process miss the great in life, such as reading a book or the picturesque scenery outside our window.
Where do we find inspiration? Let’s start with reading.
I don’t do many reviews, and, full disclosure, the author is a writing friend, but that doesn’t take away from the merit of her new book, out from MuseItUp Publishing.
PART ONE (A short review)
“Crumple Zone has drama, suspense and mystery all wrapped up in one.
Lara looks to get away from her disappointing life in Seattle and in doing so she walks into one full of conflict — albeit of a different and more potent kind — when she meets Enrique in the Atacama Desert of Chile. Talk about a change of pace and scenery. The author takes us to one of the most barren yet beautiful places in South America. Aside from the greatly woven suspense the book deserves high marks for the descriptions and scenery.
In Lara and Enrique we have two people from two very different backgrounds and cultures who find themselves in an emotional place in their lives, a state of mind filled with false impressions. By following them along the way, I was wrapped in the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of two colliding lives. And that makes for a great read … from start to finish.
A suspenseful book, interesting characters, and a storyline that might keep you reading late into the night. I highly recommend it.”
PART TWO.
Inspiration — where do we find it? Does it come to us freely? Do we analyze thoughts or emotions, look back at life, go on vacation?
Well, we recently traveled to San Diego, CA. And San Diego, with its beautiful scenery and quaint neighborhoods, is a ride of brilliance, but while there any thought of inspiration eluded me.
Ideas spun around in my head fighting for attention, but nothing surfaced … not even enough for a flash story. However, as I look through the photos, ideas spark and seem to organize into the beginning of something comprehensible.
Here are a few pictures:
Sun rays over the bay
The view from the thirty-sixth floor
Street performer in the Gaslamp District
An island in the distance.
Life is full of inspiration — whether provided by a book, a weekend getaway, or reflections upon life. So, I’m curious: how do you find yours?
Silvia Writes 
Thanks so much for your wonderful review, Silvia! Part II made me smile even more. Returning from Chile, I only knew I had to write a novel set in this amazing country, but it took months until the story slowly crystallized, while I kept looking through the photos over and over again. :-) I’m sure you’ll find your inspiration.
Stories need telling, but sometimes they need time to organize into something readers would like to read. Yours is very good, Edith.
So glad you had a wonderful time in San Diego! The Gas Lamp Quarter is always an experience!
On Mon, May 6, 2013 at 10:57 AM, Silvia Writes
The Gaslamp is definitely the place to see in San Diego. Very European in the sense that you can park your car and not have to worry about driving for days — everything is within walking distance.
San Diego was one of our favorite places to visit when we lived in Costa Mesa – the zoo, Sea World, and yum! Old Town, where I had my first ever Mexican food.
With regard to inspiration, I like to watch people, think about things that happened to me growing up, listen to stories abut events and occurrences in my friends’ lives – almost anything can trigger a kernel for a story.
Almost anything … so true, Noelle.
Most times I am surprised by the inspiration and glad it decided to visit!
I love those times. :)
Great blog today, Silvia. I first got the notion I could be a writer as a child, by reading. Then as I began to observe the world around me, people, places, things, I knew there would be much to write about. I taught my children and grandson to read before they started school. None of them are writers yet, but they are all nice people. It’s an exciting thing to do and exciting to know people like to read what you write. Inspiration is everywhere! To quote Rick Bylina, “Write on!”
And being nice people is so important, Karen. Thanks for this.
Inspiration… How fleeting it is, how difficult to pinpoint where it comes from, how it happens, why some things gel so quickly, why others take such a long time. For me it can start with wishful thinking and a what-if: “What if I hadn’t said no [or yes]? What if I had stopped to help? What if I’d smiled back?” But, just as often, it comes from observing strangers: the snippet of an argument overheard in a restaurant, a bit of gossip traded by strangers in a ladies’ room, the interaction of a couple walking down the street, the play between children. Still, like I said, sometimes my days are full of story beginnings, and sometimes… Well, it just doesn’t happen. Maybe it’s a part of our brain that needs to be receptive to these what-ifs? Good question, Silvia.
Great stuff, Guilie. Thanks!
I’m feeling short on inspiration this week. Maybe I’ll find some in a book…
Most definitely in a book, Ali. Best way, in my opinion, to get re-inspired.
Hi I awarded you with the Sunshine Award! Check here! http://frannychallenge.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/super-sweet-blog-award-and-sunshine-award/
Thanks, Franny. You’re so sweet.
Inspiration just comes by talking to people, travelling somewhere….I don’t know it just strucks me when i least expect it!
And it’s great, isn’t it … for it to strike when we least expect it.
For my blog, I find inspiration in my daily life. Plus, I’m taking an e-course now that I’ve been enjoying. I’ve never really written fiction, though. I feel like in my life now, it’s not so much a lack of inspiration as a lack of mind space. Someday…
I read a lot and love it when Bloggy buddies give a review, I add interesting ones to my GoodReads, I cannot tell you how many good books I have read because of this and would never have if not for the review.
I find inspirations all around me :)