In the Beginning - The Genesis of Story

It’s the beginning of a new year. 2011.


Wow. Can you believe it?

Welcome to The Writers Alley’s first post of 2011.

It’s the beginning of a New Year.

The start of a new page in our lives.

The first sentence (or paragraph) of a new story in the book of You (or Me).

All this ‘beginning’ thinking got be to pondering on the origin of some of our stories, sooooo

I asked a few of the Alley Cats from what inspiration did their story-ideas come?

We ALL get inspired by something, someone, somewhere, somehow – sometimes in the oddest of places, ways, or situations.

Then…

Stories start.

But how?

Personal Experiences?

Interesting novels, research, facts?

Overheard conversations?

Add to those things, the ol’ WHAT IF and BAM – you have the beginnings of a story.

Here are a few examples from our very own Alley Cats about what inspired their story ideas.

Sarah’s wip originated from personal experience, but bloomed from the ‘what if’ question. Here’s what she had to say when I asked her how her story started:

My latest wip idea started with my experiences working in a small Amish-themed diner. I thought it could make a fun setting, and the characters and plot grew from there. I was trying to develop a person who would struggle around the simplicity of the Amish and a shopaholic seemed like the antithesis of the Amish. Figured it could make for lots of good conflict. :-)

Doesn’t that sound GREAT?!? I’ve read it, people. It’s a really fun story with loads of conflict (and a super-hunky hero, btw) Did I also happen to mention that Sarah’s wip was a finalist for the Genesis. Did I? What a treat for her 2010.

Sherrinda’s historical wip started with some simple reading-gone-wild. Here’s what she has to say:

Pepper, for my first story, I remember reading about girls being sent to convents to live. Sometimes to get them off the families hands due to financial contraints, and sometimes for an education. Then I had a thought of what if...what if a girl was sent who did not want to be there and tried to escape. That snowballed into my medieval story.

Oh, btw, I’m reading this one right now and it’s a WONDERFUL story!! I love it. FILLED with conflict, adventure, and suspense…with a promise of some super-romance too. Btw, did I mention that this is the same novel that won FIRST PLACE in the Touched By Love writing contest in 2010. Her FIRST contest!!! Isn’t that awesome?!? And it all started with an idea that sparked her curiosity.

Curiosity is one of a writer’s most important commodities. Without curiosity, stories fall flat.

For Mary, her idea sparked from a challenge. A self-challenge. Check out her answer:

My inspiration came from a recent historical fiction writing contest. I took a gamble and tried to write one. I couldn't believe how easy and exciting the research, writing, and ideas became. I thought, maybe I could write a historical fiction novel. I picked a period of time I hadn't seen anything written about, incorporated successful ideas: adventure, strangers meeting, mystery, and poof, the novel was born....not finished...enjoying the growth.

Now, I haven’t had the pleasure of reading Mary’s work, but I hope to get the chance this year :-) Go, MARY!!!

Nowhere in all the writer books or blogs I’ve read does it say an accomplice cannot help inspire a story idea- and that’s exactly what happened with Krista’s Sandwich book. Let me just say, this story starts off with a BANG (and some laughter). Here’s what Krista had to say:

My sandwich book came from the fact that I was born in Sandwich IL and well… it just has a cool name. My daughter and I were in the car one day and for fun I told her we should brainstorm up a book. So we talked about our heroine.. named her… Karalynn decided she was a hair stylist. Then we thought it would be a fun way to start a book by her cutting a guy’s hair and doing a really bad job… thus creating conflict… and the rest is history :-)

Creative helps comes in all shapes and sizes, doesn’t it, Krista?!? As a matter of fact, I got a great idea from my 11 year old yesterday. I’ll totally steal any creativity my kids want to share with me.

Julia’s response is fascinating. The way she became inspired isn’t all that different than many folks – reading something that sparks the curiosity- but the story idea it started (the ‘what ifs that followed) are amazing.

Check this out:

My book came out of reading a bio of someone who was in a polygamous cult and watching a TV show interview with her. After finding out she became a born-again Christian I found myself thinking: What struggles would a former cult member have after becoming a Christian? How would they transition to the outside world? What would be their greatest fears? What would it be like understanding God's love after coming out of a background where God is seen as only wrathful?

Whew, Julia, I can’t wait to get a little peek at this story. What an idea!

Casey’s story ideas come from observation coupled with the ‘what if’ question. Transporting real situations or real people into a fictional realm where you, the author, mold a story.

Inspiration may come from various different sources, but the commonality among them all?

What if?

Samuel Johnson said, “Curiosity is one of the permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind.”

When said that curiosity ‘killed the cat’, Arnold Edinborough replied – “But the cat died nobly.”

So – what has your curiosity gotten you into? What is the inspiration behind your wip? Care to share?

Walt Disney – “When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.”