Today’s question: Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?
I can’t think of a single image or piece of art that inspired me. 99% of my fiction writing comes from dreams. I dream a scene, I form a story around it.
However, once I have a story idea and an outline, I do rely on visuals. I have Pinterest boards for several of my books and story ideas. Those help this visual person stay with the story.
You can view my boards on Pinterest.
But!
I have little time for writing.
Dancing Lemur Press has five releases this year:
Gabe’s Guardian Angel by Beverly Stowe McClure
Fiction – Young Adult: Boys & Men/Loners & Outcasts/Bullying
Print ISBN 9781939844668 $15.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844675 $4.99
Voyagers: The Third Ghost - An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Juvenile Fiction – Historical/Action & Adventure/Fantasy & Magic
Print 9781939844729 $13.95
EBook 9781939844736 $4.99
Lost Helix by Scott Coon
Science Fiction – Action & Adventure/Mystery
Print ISBN 9781939844682 $17.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844699 $4.99
Keep Writing with Fey: Sparks to Defeat Writer's Block, Depression, and Burnout by Chrys Fey
Writing / Self-Help: Depression-Stress Management
Print ISBN 9781939844743 $17.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844750 $4.99
Bubba and Squirt’s Mayan Adventure by Sherry Ellis
Juvenile Fiction - Action Adventure/Legends, Myths, Fables-Caribbean & Latin American/Fantasy & Magic v Print ISBN 9781939844705 $7.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844712 $3.99
What image or art inspired you?
We are still looking for reviewers for DLP’s upcoming releases. Let me know if you are genuinely interested in reviewing one of the above titles.
You've been busy! Congrats to you and the authors. I love Pinterest and using boards to create story ideas.
ReplyDeleteGreat line-up of authors there! I am yet to delve into Pinterest, but perhaps this year. It's always good to try new ideas and approaches.
ReplyDeleteI have a Pinterest account, but like so many of my social media platforms, I have no idea how to best use it. I started a board for a book I was working on and kept forgetting to update it and eventually abandoned it.
ReplyDeleteLook at all that good news coming up!!! Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteMy dreams are usually too chaotic and scary for me to write about :)
What a great and varied line-up. Go DLP!
ReplyDeleteI've written some stories from dreams. It's funny, I don't get those kind of dreams if I watch TV before I go to bed. (But it's hard to resist TV most days.)
DLP is keeping you busy with some great releases coming up! I've come ups with ideas in my dreams as well.
ReplyDeleteLook at all of the upcoming books!
ReplyDeleteI love Pinterest boards for stories!
ReplyDeleteA busy year for sure, which is good. I sometimes dream but never remember it enough to write about it. Short term memory, I guess. If you still need reviewers, I'll be happy to review something.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beverly - I'll send you an email.
DeleteHi Diane, I love the idea that inspiration for your fiction ideas comes from your dreams. Though I dream a lot, I never get inspired to write a story from those dreams.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I have the most vivid dreams. Years ago, I made certain to have a pad and pencil on my bedside table. For what it's worth, Diane, you inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joylene.
DeleteCongrats on all the publications! Keep dreaming.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good accomplishment when you can develop your stories from dreams. For me it's really difficult. I tried doing it one time and I lost direction in the story. I normally have to rely on ideas that I record in my journal, ideas that come to whenever. Then I have to refer to the journal when I'm ready to write the story.
ReplyDeleteI love it when dreams turn into stories. I can remember on several occasions having a dream and thinking during the dream that this would make a great story. Do I ever remember the dream? No. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'm like that, too, with the visuals - always pulling up Google pics when writing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the upcoming releases for Dancing Lemur! I'd love to review Bubba & Squirt's Mayan Adventure. You can contact me via: elson.nicki@gmail.com
Thank you, Nicki.
DeleteSo many releases this year! Congrats to you and to all the authors!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Dancing Lemur, you've been busy! I hadn't paid much attention to my dreams before, until I started a dream journal last year. :)
ReplyDeleteI've had dreams turn into stories too. I actually wish that would happen more often LOL.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the 2020 releases! Definitely looks like some great books coming out into the world.
You are busy. I don't know how you do it. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Lots of great releases coming. I also have dreams sometimes that turn into story. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteI get sucked into the Pinterest black hole so often, but such a lush resource for visuals!
ReplyDeleteThat's quite the release schedule. I don't pop into Pinterest as often as I should. It is a great resource.
ReplyDeleteWow - that is an impressive line-up of upcoming publications! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI dream vividly, but have never based any of my fiction on them. A bit too personal, perhaps. But worth considering.
I haven't had a picture inspire me either. Looks like you've got a great line up of books this year.
ReplyDeleteI pinned away quite a few pictures for my books. I just never get around to looking at them again. (Hangs head in shame).
ReplyDeleteI might be interested in reviewing Lost Helix.
Ken, thanks! I will email you.
DeleteI get my ideas from dreams. I get bored with ideas inspired by other things, for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI never remember my dreams, but images often inspire my stories.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you find any time for your writing these days - being a publisher is a full-time occupation, and you do a great job with it.
If I tried to use Pinterest, I think I'd end up looking at all kinds of stuff every day and not write, LOL.
ReplyDeleteDreams sure can bring me ideas too. Great that you have so many releases this year.
ReplyDeleteDreams bring me inspiration too. Good luck with your upcoming releases!
ReplyDeleteWww.alliebock.com
Congratulations on all the upcoming releases! I don't know how you do it, Diane! It's fun to learn how various writers are inspired. Have a good one!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of inspiration boards.
ReplyDeleteI have read Lost Helix and enjoyed it. My review will be coming shortly.
Thank you, Lynda!
DeleteI've been dabbling with making Pinterest boards. I need to more consistent.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the releases coming up.
ReplyDeleteClever you, I can never remember my dreams that long. I have some good ones too.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane - yes you are busy ... and helping those authors on their way to publication ... let alone the rest who are in the sidelines, helping us all with ideas and creative thoughts. Your Pinterest boards must be inspiring ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI can't seem to remember my dreams enough to jot anything down. Congrats on all the upcoming releases. Looks like a lot of great reading to come.
ReplyDeleteSo many books! You are busy.
ReplyDeleteDreaming you books is the first time I've heard of that. Wow! At least you know the purpose of your dreams, well a least some. I'm like most of the other comments...can't remember squat unless it's a nightmare. Maybe that's why I write dark. Congratulations on all the releases.
ReplyDeleteIt's fascinating that your writing is fueled by your dreams. All I can say is your dreams must be much more coherent than mine. Mine are so bizarre and complicated, I can't imagine any of them turning into reading material any sane person would enjoy. :)
ReplyDeleteI too get a lot of my ideas from dreams and also like to create story boards on Pinterest. I just followed you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Toi.
DeleteI'm inspired by all sorts of images, but my favorites are Vincent van Gogh's paintings. Incidentally WEP has chosen his Cafe Terrace in Arles for the prompt this month. We'll see how inspired everyone became.
ReplyDeleteYour publishing business seems to be doing well. Good for you and your authors.
This is a great post and a reminder of how we can use so many things to inspire writing. A certain image from Gwyneth Paltrow will be the headliner of my next post, and it's quite the attention grabber.(lol) I like your idea about using Pinterest too! Happy Friyay! RO
ReplyDeleteI see Bbet99 is making the rounds. I deleted him but he'll most likely be back. what a waste.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, Congratulations! You are one busy woman! I've been getting caught up on my reading/reviewing. A few more to catch up with then on to the new releases. LOL it never ends. Just wish I had a hardcover copy of every book I've ever read. I'd have a library. :)
Five upcoming releases! That's excellent, Diane.
ReplyDeleteI usually draw pictures which inspire me to write and help me work out the details in my story.
ReplyDeleteWow! Lots of new releases! Congrats!
~Jess
I love seeing the New Year kicked off to a great start! Best wishes to everyone for a smashing success in 2020.
ReplyDeleteLoved your Pinterest Boards
ReplyDeleteDreams are a wonderful inspiration. I have vivid dreams. I could use them in my writing.
ReplyDeletePhotographs always inspire me... but you already know this!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried Pinterest boards. I'm not very active on Pinterest...
I must have a look at your boards to see how it works.
Watch out, it's addictive!
DeleteCongrats to all of the DLP authors! I need to write some reviews.
ReplyDeleteI like Pinterest, but it seems like I drift away from it pretty quickly after creating my boards.
Wowzers! Look at you! Congratulations to you and all the authors. That's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI'm a visual person too. I can be inspired by a photo. :)
Elsie
(new domain)
Hi L. Diane.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all the releases. That is AMAZING! All the best to you and the authors!
😀
ReplyDeleteWow, congratulations on all the new titles! That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can find time for your own writing, but I know it's hard. Hang in there. x
Congratulations on all the releases!
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy! Congrats to you and the authors. I love Pinterest and using boards to create story ideas.custom iphone xr case
ReplyDelete