The Idea Fairy
Dec 1st 2009
LoriHandelandLori Handeland & On Writing!
The question I’m asked most often in regard to writing is “How do you get your ideas?” That’s a tough one because they come from everywhere, anywhere and sometimes nowhere.
For instance–I was once stopped at a stoplight, saw the car in front of me had an Alaskan license plate and started to think about Alaska and what I knew about it. By the time I drove into my garage, I had the beginnings of a story for a dance hall owner and a Mountie in Gold Rush Dawson City, which became LOVING A LEGEND.
Then there was the time I walked through the living room with the wash basket, caught a glimpse of what IV was watching on the TV–some movie where the heroine saves a man from hanging so he could work on her farm–and voila! that became SECOND CHANCE.
Sometimes I get an idea from reading. For instance one of my favorite series is the Stephanie Plum series, another was the Anita Blake series. I wanted to begin an urban fantasy series of my own and thought–hey why not combine the two? So I started brainstorming.
Heroine–smart ass with a paranormal twist. How about psychic?
Two heroes–hot and just as hot, vampire and shape shifter. Check.
Setting–kind of like Trenton, but in the Midwest. How about my hometown Milwaukee. Good idea!
And so on. Combine, stir and we have The Phoenix Chronicles.
Most recently I was in a meeting at RWA with my editor from St. Martin’s when she suddenly blurted, “Shakespeare Undead.”
“Excuse me?” I asked.
She proceeded to explain that they’d been trying to think of a book that they could publish which would be their PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES and suddenly she’d had the flash, SHAKESPEARE UNDEAD.
I figured an opportunity doesn’t drop from the sky like that every day. (It certainly never has for me.) Two days later I sent her a 4 page synopsis of my idea for SHAKESPEARE UNDEAD. One day later I had an offer.
SHAKESPEARE UNDEAD will come out in trade paperback in June of next year.
I really like that story!
When do ideas come to you? While driving? Sleeping? Dreaming? Day dreaming? Reading? Movies?
(And I’m not just asking the writers–we all have great brainstorms. How to fix that pesky dripping faucet. A great come back line we really wished we’d thought of when we actually needed it. How to make our in laws less annoying. How to get that guy to ask us out. How to get that kid to stop . . . whatever it is he/she needs to stop.)
41 Comments »
41 Responses to “The Idea Fairy”
B on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:44 am #
I try to write. Not professionally like you people, but I play with words and all of that. This is hardly interesting but my ‘ideas’, they mostly just appear in my head. This year, I had and idea for a series of short stories. It all started with one scene that kept playing in my head over and over and over again. For WEEKS. I kept saying the same 5 seconds moment: a woman, exhausted, blonde, blue eyes, opening the door. Another woman on the other side, more exhausted, short brown hair, same blue eyes. Woman 1 was surprised to see woman 2 at her door, and more surprised to see the short brown her. Sisters. Twins.
That was it. WEEKS. Over and over and over again. In the car, in class, at the mall, before trying to sleep, out in a restaurant. I wanted to see more, but I just couldn’t. I didn’t know who were these people, what were their names, WHY was woman 1 so surprised to see woman 2 (ahhh, that one took me forever to find out). Lots of hypothesis kept playing in my head, but, as I considered them, I just knew it was not right. Sometimes I feel like these characters show up in my head and start telling me things.
B on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:48 am #
Trying to ignore these things or just ‘leave it’ is not an option because they keep coming back, at random times. They ’stop’ when I have a good idea about who are these people and what’s up with them, what’s going on. But that’s the little I know.
I’ve had characters for years now, characters I believe I know well, and, sometimes, they just keep popping into my head and saying “hello”. They “show” me things. Sometimes it’s a scene, something that happened in the past, or even something that happened in the future. Sometimes, they show me things I DID not want to see, thank you very much. I feel I have absolutely no control over them. I may try to change something I saw, but if I doesn’t work, believe me, they just won’t leave me alone.
Okay, now you people know. I have a question: is that how it is for writers or am I just completely crazy? Believe me, I often think I’m losing my mind and this can’t possibly me normal. What do you think???
(now, that was a venting session)
Lisa H on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:17 am #
My ideas come from everywhere too. In my first book, I was listening to a song from Sting called, “I burn for you” and he says “I drink at your pool” and I imagined a beauiful fountain in some immense estate where a man might drink in the heat of the night…so I tweaked it a little bit and came up with the plot of a woman forced outside on the hottest summer night to bathe in a fountain, and a guest at the mansion happens to stumble along also forced outside by the sizzling night. Well, when he sees her bathing, his night heats up a bit more.
I also use romantic memories and tweak them, and romantic things I have heard others say as fodder for some scenes.
Kim on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:20 am #
From music! Or tv. Don’t you ever watch a show or movie and think “wouldn’t this be a great twist”? Then mentally rewrite it. LOL
Love the cover for Shakespeare Undead!
Kathy on 01 Dec 2009 at 6:41 am #
my great ideas hit me just as I’m drifting off to sleep. Usually they hit me again when i wake up.
Once I got up and wrote it down, but then couldn’t get to sleep for a few hrs after that.
like the time I was trying to fix my problem of always replacing the screen in the window where my ac goes in the summer.
and voila! I hit upon using a canvas frame to staple the screen onto. So now instead of always fighting to get the rubber strip in the groove and making sure the screen is locked in place enough so that my cat doesn’t fall out when she leans on it, which she does all the time, I simply open the window, wedge the frame in the space and she’s happy, I’m happy and I catch the cool fall breeze without buggies
Kathy on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:05 am #
LOVE the Shakespeare Undead idea!
Susan M on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:07 am #
Most of my ideas come to me when I’m driving (usually to and from work). I need something to do during those 40 minutes each day (20 minutes each way depending on traffic). I don’t get ideas from books and movies, generally, just inspired. Half the time I’m thinking, “What an awesome idea! Why didn’t I think of that?”
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:07 am #
B-I’m often going about my business when a character will tell me something. I’ve been known to say, “What?” to no one. ALthough it isn’t really no one, if you know what I mean. Writers are a strange lot. We’ve all got our quirks. Don’t think anyone should call anyone else crazy because that would be very pot and kettle.
Songs!! Another good avenue LisaH. I was recently listening to Heart and the line “these dreams go on when I close my eyes. Every second of the night, I live another life,” gave me a really good idea for a book. Now I need the time to write it!
I do that all the time, Kim. See a show and rewrite. It’s a gift. Maybe a curse. Not sure.
Sleep/dreams etc are a good time for a lot of people when it comes to ideas, Kathy. I’ve had people tell me that they will take a short nap whenever they have a plot issue and when they wake up they “see” the light. Haven’t tried this yet, but may have to.
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:09 am #
Thanks! I love the Shakespeare Undead cover. The first time I saw it I LOL. And I think the book turned out pretty great too!
Driving is a great one, SusanM. I have been known to get in the car and take a tour through the countryside if I’m having a really touch day.
Freedom Writer on 01 Dec 2009 at 7:38 am #
Ideas come in the form of dreams, when doing historical research, watching tv, reading and out of the blue. Sometimes a phrase hits me and I can develop a story idea or poem from it. I once wrote a poem about the phrase “When I was young I walked 5 miles to school, and it was up hill both ways.”
Michelle B on 01 Dec 2009 at 8:48 am #
Most of my thinking time seems to come in the shower. I can get so lost in thought in that shower that when I come out it amazes me how much time has gone by. It’s a great place to solve problems.
I too get ideas while driving. Over the years I have spent so much time in the car getting kids where they need to go that it would be just plain wrong if I didn’t do some thinking there. It also became my prayer place, after kiddos dropped off. I wouldn’t give myself permission to turn on the music until I had said my prayers. So prayer time would lead to idea time, conversations with God tend to become great ideas. Many times the music never comes on.
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 8:52 am #
Sounds like an great image for poetry, Free!
Interesting about the shower, MichelleB. I’m usually too asleep to think much then!
Pesky on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:25 am #
A lot of times it’s when I walk away from the problem for a few minutes. I have idea flurries too, where I might be stuck for a while and then a whole gob of ideas rain down on me.
Pesky on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:25 am #
Ahhhh…forgot the when. I’m a huge music and hiking buff. Most of my ideas come when I have my headset on or music is playing in the background or I’m ridge running.
Kathy on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:33 am #
hey! remember yesterday when I said I liked snow? it’s snowing outside! lalalalalala!
had to share my bliss
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:37 am #
I got the idea for my Luchetti brothers series while I was walking, Pesky. That always helps.
Ack, Kathy. Where do you live? It’s sunny here, but they’ve been predicting snow for a week now. NOthing yet and I’m lovin’ it.
Julia London on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:39 am #
Pesky, I get a lot of ideas like that, too — running and listening to music. Which I think I’ll go do with hopes of being inspired through the dreaded middle.
Lori, when are you going to write about the dreaded middle?
Shakespeare Undead looks marvelous!
Janae on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:39 am #
It all depends. I’ve had dreams about jewelry before. Other times I’ll have something, look at it, carry it around in my pocket for a couple of days, and get an idea; or I’ll look at it immediately and know what I’m going to do with it. Or I’ll see something in nature, and be inspired. That’s how I came to make hydrangea petal necklaces with precious metal clay (PMC). Or I’ll see a color combo that I’ve never quite viewed that way before, and I’ll have to go to the bead store. Or I’ll be at the bead store, see a stone, and be inspired. Lately, I’ve been inspired by vintage pieces that are broken or missing pieces, and I’ll take them and make them over. There have been times when I’m wire wrapping something, that I’ll change my design because I’ll be hit by a thought that takes my design a different direction.
Anna Dougherty on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:51 am #
Most of my brainstorming takes place when I should be winding down- right before I fall asleep. I’ve taken to keeping a notebook by my bed so the ideas don’t just float away to nothingness. I’m not a writer but I blog about books and I get my post ideas that way.
Claudia Dain on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:51 am #
I can’t wait to read SHAKESPEARE UNDEAD!! I can’t believe you could come up with an idea so fast. I think I may have to sulk about that for a while longer.
Ideas assault me. While I’m talking, listening, watching TV, driving, at the movies, reading…maybe not while eating. I don’t think I’ve ever had an idea while eating.
Hmm. Wonder what that means? Maybe I should change my diet.
Anna Dougherty on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:53 am #
Forgot to say… I will definitely put Shakespeare Undead on my summer reading list. Yes, I’m already keeping a list for 2010. I loved Pride and Prejudice and Zombies- lots of fun and well written- so I can’t wait for Undead.
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:56 am #
You mean the muddle, Julia? I figure if I talk about it it’ll only get worse.
Janae-That’s fascinating to me to hear about different types of creativity and ideas. The concept of different color combos, or a broken piece taking you in a different direction. How interesting!
I’ve tried to write stuff down like that too, Anna. But it always seems that what appeared brilliant in the depths of the night is often gibberish in the light of day.
I can’t believe it either, Claudia. That doesn’t happen all the time. It was one of those gifts. I hope I get many more!
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:57 am #
Thanks, Anna!! I had SO much fun writing the book. I couldn’t wait to get up and get back to it every morning.
Nicole Jordan on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:59 am #
What a fun premise, Lori! Shakespeare Undead — love it.
I usually get my best writing ideas late at night, when I go sprawl on a sofa with a pad and pencil in my hand. Or after I’ve read a book I love. That can be really inspiring.
As for non-writing stuff, exercising, showering, doing the dishes, driving… tasks that don’t take much brainpower tend to free up my mind to focus on problems that need solving.
Sherri Erwin on 01 Dec 2009 at 10:03 am #
Very cool, Lori! Looks like fun. I got the idea for Jane Slayre (Jane Eyre as vampyre slayer) while writing a post at another blog. You just never know when inspiration will strike. I was going to leave it as a funny blog entry but Julia London and Kathleen Givens convinced me to write it– so glad they did. Friends are such great inspirations, too.
Rachel Gibson on 01 Dec 2009 at 10:17 am #
Shakespeare Undead–what a fab title and fun idea.
I don’t know where my ideas come from. I just get opening scenes or piece of dialogue that pop into my head and I write the book.
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 10:27 am #
I like the idea of sitting alone late at night with a pad and pencil, Nicole. This sounds like a good idea for me when my empty nest arrives in the fall.
Oh, wow, Sherri!! What an incredibly fabulous idea!! I love it. Can’t wait to read the book.
Okay, everyone. We’re gonna have to smother Rachel for writing such great books after a “piece” of dialogue pops into her head. Aaargh!!
Kat on 01 Dec 2009 at 12:06 pm #
What a fun topic! I can’t wait to read Shakespeare Undead — I absolutely loved Interred with their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell. Mystery and Shakespeare, I’m there — well, anything Shakespeare — I’m there.
I got the idea from the piece I’m working on now from drinking with friends and thinking about how real life isn’t always “happily ever after,” so you might as well get over it. That started The Senate Race. A poker game started “Queen of Hearts, or Cowboy’s Song” which I hope will be the start of a mid-west series. The final idea I’ve had lately, is going to be an assassin woman and a Templar knight in the middle east. I’ve been watching DH play Assassin’s Creed 1 and 2 on the XBox a lot lately.
All these ideas, and no time to right~ SIGH!
Kathy on 01 Dec 2009 at 1:11 pm #
Lori, I live in Nova Scotia.
and am right now fully wrapped up in fleece .the landlord pretty much turns off the heat during the day. Which is kind of funny because he’s a heat lover…is leaving for Mexico until April in a couple of weeks.
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 1:40 pm #
Had not heard of Interred, Kat. Sounds like my cup of tea!
Some of those video games have really great stories as backdrop. I was telling my son he should go into that biz. Right up his alley.
IV is up north right now (WI) and says there’s snow on the way there tomorrow, Kathy. I hope it doesn’t slide too far south and hit me! You can have it all!!!
Nicole Jordan on 01 Dec 2009 at 2:36 pm #
Kathy and Lori, We’ll be happy to take your snow here in Utah! At least my dh will, since the ski slopes are pretty bare at the moment. I personally would be perfectly happy if I only saw snow once in a while.
I read an article the other day about how most people want a white Xmas. They must be the ones who don’t travel during the holidays!
Deb Marlowe on 01 Dec 2009 at 2:58 pm #
It’s driving for me! My kids know when I get quiet in the car, it’s because I’m plotting–I’ve missed a turn or forgotten where I’m headed enough times that they pipe up and remind me!
Showers are good for ideas too. I keep telling the dh we need a hot tub because I’m sure I would get lots of ideas while soaking!
Regina Newlin on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:31 pm #
Most of my writing career was during my MBA days. Trust me, some of those research papers were very “creative” and darn close to fiction LOL. My creative outlet these days is making jewelry and costumes that will be donated to Brenda Novak’s Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research.
I deeply identify with Janae’s comments on being inspired by color combinations, a stone, or vintage jewelry. Some people can develop a design, then go find the elements needed to create it… But I tend to go backwards and start with the elements, and see what I can make from them. (I guess Dyslexia CAN pay off!) I am often given boxes of junk jewelry, fabric scraps, and old craft supplies by friends who say “I was going to throw this away, then I thought maybe YOU could use it for something”. I love the sense of discovery as I carefully examine each new item…. ahem…. okay, I dump the box on the floor and PLAY with the goodies, LOL!!!
The items seem to tell me what they want to be. A single earring says “Make me a brooch,” a broken necklace whispers “bracelet”…. I guess this is similar to your characters saying “Give me two hunky boyfriends.. NOW!”
Regina Newlin on 01 Dec 2009 at 4:40 pm #
Part Deux –
Fabric affects me the same way. I once found a beautiful silk brocade fabric in the remnant bin, that I just HAD to do something with. It was only 30 inches wide and 18 inches long. What can you make with that.. a pouch? But it was deep ivory and gold silk brocade…. I couldn’t waste that on a pouch. So I made it the front of the bodice on an Italian Renaissance Gown (1450’s era). The rest of the gown was a dark gold cotton lined in ivory and trimmed in ivory and metallic gold piping. That gown won several costuming contests, and was purchased 3 years later for over twice what it cost to make. It just goes to show how far a little inspiration can take you.
Hmmmm…. the Idea Fairy…. Ya knoooowww… I have some beads that look like little wings… add a round bead on top for the head, a triangle or bell shaped bead below for the skirt, maybe seed beads for the legs… Gotta go, I have a few boxes that need to be dumped in the floor!! Idea Fairy Necklaces, here I come!
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 5:21 pm #
It would be great, Nicole, if we could have a white Christmas, and then have it all melt and never come back until next Christmas. I vote for that.
I’m with you, Deb. HOT TUB!!
Idea fairy necklaces would sell like hotcakes at an RWA conference!
Regina Newlin on 01 Dec 2009 at 8:48 pm #
Do you want the first one, Lori??
LoriHandeland on 01 Dec 2009 at 8:52 pm #
Yes, yes, yes!!
Regina Newlin on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:15 pm #
You got it! I have no idea what they will look like yet, but you get the first one! I almost have E. W. talked into taking me to a RWA conference, because he is tired of trying to see our favorite authors (like you) at DragonCon… it is just too crowded. Hope to see ya soon!
Regina Newlin on 01 Dec 2009 at 9:17 pm #
OOoooOOOoo! I just had another idea…. Lori, what about suncatchers with a fairy charm at the bottom? Writers could hang them in a window, or off a desk lamp, etc. and they would always be near you, dropping ideas foryou to find. How does that sound??
Donna S on 01 Dec 2009 at 11:19 pm #
Shakespeare Undead is the most awesome book title I read all day! Cant wait.
My best ideas always come while driving. Usually on the highway. When of course I cant write anything down. And it almost never fails that I forget all about it by the time I reach my destination.
LoriHandeland on 02 Dec 2009 at 5:49 am #
You’d be able to see everyone at RWA, Regina. It’s no Dragoncon. Thank goodness!!
Love the suncatcher idea. Sounds gorgeous!
Thanks, Donna!
My iphone has a record app so I can speak my ideas into it if need be. I used to have a mini tape recoder I kept in my purse for the same purpose.