Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Where do you find your stories from?

This is a question I get all the time from young writers and even non-writers. I’m not sure how to answer this question because I’m an Irish girl who lives with stories in me head. Where they come from … only the Gods know.

But for starting authors who need a little help, there are many ways to find a story. Look at this photo



The mind can see so many story just by this one picture…when I first looked at it I saw a pirate ship that had discovered this woman aboard – it’s very bad luck to have a woman on a ship – so they toss her overboard and she dies only to return as a ghost to haunt each and every one of them.

The second story I saw was a woman attempting to seduce a man she knows belongs to another…he belongs to her life long nemesis (a girl who use to taunt her in school) revenge!

The third tale to come to mind was a mermaid attempting to mate with a human to save her father’s kingdom of the sea. She’s been watching this human man for some time and has fallen in love with him from afar. When troubles stir below the sea she realizes if she can join the human’s with the mermaid kingdom her people can survive.

Now what tale do you see when you look at this picture?

Alright, let the fantasy of it draw you in and tell you its story…then tell us….

What stories were you told to write when you looked at it?

Now I don’t want to hear any excuses…I can hear you saying “Oh, you picked the easy picture…this one’s hard,” not so….Just look at it and add all those little gossip tidbits or articles you’ve read in the paper or in a mag...all those odd “things” you’ve heard throughout your life, put them to the picture.

When I saw this picture I instantly put the rumors of the 2012 into play. Supposedly in the month of December of that year (2 years from now) the planets are suppose to align and when they do the world will tilt causing major plate shifting …and we all die….It’s supposedly happened to the Earth before and is what killed the dinosaurs.

But I have to ask -- WHAT IF???

So, when I look at this photo I see a story…the alignment happens but what the human’s didn’t expect is that their planet remains whole and instead of crashing into the planets next to them, the Earth floats down to settle on a passing gigantic meteor that’s really a planet in its forming stages. Now, the challenge…how do they survive?

Now look at this picture again. Let your mind travel into a fantasy land and tell me what you see. Are there alien’s living on this forming meteor? Do they look human or are they flesh eaters? What kind of air do they breath? How are the human's breathing? What will be the travel between these two planets now sitting on one another? How are the humans affected by their world floating in the waters of this strange planet? Is that water drinkable or does it burn like acid? What kind of creatures live in those surrounding waters…can the humans survive?

So, I guess my answer to this question is this. When trying to come up with a story…start with a picture and then just allow the mind to fly free and create.

But I am wondering...when asked, how do you answer this question?

Hawk

10 comments:

  1. I think magic, and wizards and suspense. This is great exercise for writing. I love seeing a visual and playing with descriptive words...like you didn't already know that. LOL
    Eliza

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  2. OH Hawk what a wonderful post! You know me and my mind... the stories are all there... just waiting to come out. One day, they will come out and play - even if the audience is just me, lol! I love the pictures you found to explain your methods. But you know for some people, they have a hard time dropping the "I am adult" theme of their lives to open up their imaginations and play. Oh my gosh, maybe the world would be a better place if most people just learned to "be themselves" and not what they think they have to be or what someone else wants them to be.
    But you know... the main thing is what is in your heart.Write from your heart and soul and things will come. You might not get a book published (me, lol), but at least your story is there. If you keep it bottled up... you deprive your soul. So I say... just write. Write to write, not to publish. Hummmmmm... I see some words we were looking for the other day in this....
    Love ya hon! (((Hugs to you)))

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  3. Wonderful post, Hawk. This is one of the ways I find my ideas. It isn't alwas easy but its amazing the things you can come up with if you open yourself to the possibilities. Truth be told, no matter how cliche, the possibilities are truly endless.

    Love,

    Pixie

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  4. Awesome post, Hawk! Really got me thinking of things I never thought possible. Now I wish I could write fantasy!!!

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  5. Great post, Hawk! What wonderful ideas. We all need help coming up with ideas sometimes.

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  6. Eliza!

    The picture idea is a fun one for creativity for sure. Pictures help those who aren't good with the visual; those who can't see it in their minds eye.

    Glad you liked the post!

    Hugs
    Hawk

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  7. Cecile!

    Ah Sweetie...so happy you made it by!

    You're like me..everything's in our heads! Teheheheheeee...

    I'm a firm believer if people remembered their child within...the world would be a better place.

    Cyber hugs honey!
    Hawk

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  8. Pixie!

    Your words couldn't be any truer!

    I ditto everything you just said!

    Thanks for coming by hon!
    Hugs
    Hawk

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  9. Lorelei,

    Ah, but you can write fantasy...just allow your mind to flow...let it go into undiscovered worlds and let your fingers fly!

    Glad you liked the post!

    Hugs
    Hawk

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  10. Julianna!

    With a mind as creative as yours...I don't think you need any help at all...but I'm happy you liked the blog!

    xo
    Hawk

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