by Joe Owens

Created on: December 02, 2009

For me the source for inspiration in writing are as varied as the moments of my day. I can see topics for my prose everywhere I look. If you consider the width and breadth of your day, there are innumerable instances where inspiration crosses your path. The skill is in noticing and transitioning these experiences to the printed page.

I have been writing since before my teens. My first stab at the art was a war story, patterned after the interests of that age, World War Two movies, Baa Baa Black Sheep from television and books about wars from my school library. I learned from my English teacher not to get too caught up in the numbers of battle history. There was very little dialogue in my early work, but the ideas were plentiful.

As I matured in age, interests and writing ability, I began to be interested in the Science Fiction blockbusters of my youth: Close Encounters, Star Wars, Superman and another well known franchise, the James Bond series. Thankfully my lack of knowledge of the truth in sexual adventures as teased in the Bond movies was well documented in my work of the next few years. I did develop what I would call a franchise set of characters however. Four books later they are like members of my extended family. I guess it is the reason I just cannot bring myself to end their story.

Experience is one of the greatest of inspiration avenues. The saying is that you should right about what you know. Well, I am married, a father, a Christian and have very diverse interests. The list of topics that I find inspired to write about is unending. The bigger concern is finding the time to write. That is one of the great things as I see it about Helium; it gives you a platform to indulge your impulse to share your thoughts with the world.

Another great source of inspiration to me is music. I always have music playing when I write. Over many years of having to write in situations of Noise, I have developed the ability to use the music as a buffering tool to allow me to stay focused on my task, whatever it may be. As a result, the artistry of song paints in my mind very vivid pictures that beg to be continued in print. Of course that idea lends itself to copyright issues, so I use it more as an idea board or brainstorming exercise.

In sum, however, I feel like the most fruitful source of inspiration from my writing comes from people and their actions. If you will train yourself to observe others you can see wonderful insights that you may not have access to just living your life with your family. All families are not created equal. Social and economic factors make the usual unusual and a fertile source of ideas for writing.

Inspiration happens at the drop of a hat, so you must train your mind and memory to take full advantage of your opportunities. The list of sources is rich with diversity and twists to spice up your writing, so open your senses to all you have to gain. You will not be sorry or blocked from your writing!

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