
The mere word “inspiration” inspires me to do great things. The dictionary defines the word as “stimulation for the human mind to creative thought or to the making of art.” Without inspiration, there’d be no writers. Without writers, there’d be no books. What a horror of a thought. I can’t imagine a world without books. Inspiration is the stimulating brainwave enabling authors to produce the books you love to read.
Unique as pieces in a jigsaw puzzle, each writer reacts to inspiration, sometimes called a muse, in his or her own way. Can you imagine how boring the literary world would be if it were any other way? There’d be no incentive for readers to poke around a bookstore or browse books in a library, looking for a book to whet their appetite, which by the way is one of my favorite pastimes.
Did you ever wonder what inspires your favorite story weaver to write a particular novel? How they conjure up their plots, settings and unique characters that make you run out to buy each new release? Movies, T.V. shows, the newspaper, real life news, or even a song, are a few, but none of these come close to drilling a hole in the ice. Newspaper articles often give me ideas, if not for an entire story, then a scene or two. The majority of my ideas come from my good friend, Imagination, who dwells in my head and never shuts up.
Many writers research their story’s settings on the internet or at the library, while others prefer to use familiar surroundings for their characters’ tales. I need to feel comfortable with the area where my stories are set so as a rule I use places I’ve been to, even if I only passed through. Many of my books take place in Maine because that’s my stomping ground, and I know the state like the back of my hand.
Character development comes more easily to some than others. For me, characterization is the most difficult part of writing. A number of my author friends keep pictures of the hero and heroine by their computer. I tuck my characters’ physical appearances into a corner of mind and drag it out if need be.
I’m working on improving my characters’ development and have come up with a method that helps. I “become the character” and write in a journal for several days. In a week or so, I know what makes these characters tick or what ticks them off, their likes and dislikes, their goals and especially their weaknesses and strengths.
What about the Big WB? Writer’s block. If I stop writing for a few weeks, I refuse to panic. Won’t even consider the WB word. Instead, I write the stories inside my head. If it’s still in my head in a day or two, then I get the inspiration to put it on paper.
To sum up, there are as many methods of writing as there are writers. I’m not sure if my approach is an oddity, but I begin by choosing a setting. Nothing exists about the book except for this special place. After I’m comfortable and familiar with it, I develop characters, thrust them into Dodge and watch them deal with whatever sticky situation my zany mind comes up with.
They say everyone has at least one story to tell. What about you? If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, give it a try. The universe can never have too many authors.
Pam Champagne
www.pamchampagne.net
Ribbon of Rain, June 10, 2010



