A World of Writing Inspiration by Maggie King
Where do I get my inspiration? That’s the top question I get
from readers. The short answer: everywhere. Frequently ideas are a collage of
memories and characters from my life (or someone else’s life) to which I add a
hefty measure of my fertile imagination. If the resulting story was a painting,
it would resemble a Picasso.
In my acknowledgments for Murder at the Book Group, #1 in my Hazel
Rose Book Group series, I thank my interesting family and friends for gifting
me with story ideas for years to come. And let me add my well-honed
eavesdropping habit to this gratitude list while I’m at it. It doesn’t matter
if I understand the context of what I hear—in fact, it’s better if I don’t.
Social media is a gold mine of inspiration,
a modern day gathering around the water cooler. It seems like everyone has
something to say (some way too much). And, as I’m a fiction writer, I don’t
have to worry about “fake news.”
Advice columns give me wonderful
ideas. Consider the letter from the woman whose boyfriend was spying on her social
media accounts; and the distraught man whose wife had an “emotional” affair
with his best friend.
What inspired Murder
at the Book Group? Book groups, naturally. Book groups have a special
dynamic and the members can be fascinating to observe. In this story, I explore
the decisions we might make as we stand at a crossroads in our lives. I’m
intrigued by choices and how so many of us don’t consider the full range of
consequences that can follow our decisions and actions.
Last November, I shared my inspiration for Murder at the Moonshine Inn, #2 in my
Hazel Rose Book Group series, on Marilyn’s blog. You may view it here: https://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/2016/11/what-inspired-me-to-write-murder-at.html
I’ve also penned short stories. My first published work is
“A Not So Genteel Murder,” included in the Virginia
is for Mysteries anthology. Virginia landmarks were the theme and I picked
Richmond’s venerable Kent-Valentine House, headquarters for the Garden Club of
Virginia. But the tale of betrayal, loss, and the power of family ties that I
set there was solely based on my imagination.
“Reunion in Shockoe Slip” is a what-if story that I
contributed to the Virginia is for
Mysteries Vol. 2 anthology. Nancy and Roger were lovers thirty years before
in sunny Southern California and meet again at a book signing in Richmond’s
historic Shockoe Slip. Many of us have someone in our past who we’d just as
soon leave in the past. But what if we see the person again after much time has
gone by? Maybe we share pictures of our grandkids, pets, or milestone anniversary.
Or, maybe things go very, very wrong.
I wrote
“Wine, Women, and Wrong” for the 50
Shades of Cabernet anthology.
Ever since he devoured the Hardy Boys
adventures as a child, Tommy Bradshaw has wanted to solve a mystery. When a
wine merchant is stabbed at a fundraiser in Richmond, Virginia, Tommy gets his
chance. He finds that detecting isn’t as easy as it is in books. Plus Tommy is
besieged by women: the glamorous and sexy oenophile who’s hell-bent on seducing
him; and the cop who would love to woo him away from his love interest.
The
submission requirements for “Wine, Women, and Wrong” were few: mention the word
cabernet at least once, keep the word
count at 5000-7000 words, and strive for a light-hearted tone. I attend an
annual wine tasting fundraiser and I drew on that experience (I never witnessed
an attempted murder, though). Reflection on the romantic choices we make, for
better or worse, provided additional inspiration.
I don’t
expect that the ideas will stop anytime soon!
***
Maggie is a member of Sisters in Crime, James River Writers, and the American Association of University Women. She has worked as a software developer, retail sales manager, and customer service supervisor. Maggie graduated from Elizabeth Seton College and earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has called New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California home. These days she lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, Glen, and cats, Morris and Olive. She enjoys reading, walking, movies, traveling, theatre, and museums.
Website: http://www.maggieking.com
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Comments
I think readers believe that the IDEAS in "Where do you get your ideas?" are full-fledged outlines of a book or story, when in actuality, for me at least, they are just tiny thoughts that cause me to pause and wonder. Usually the stories I do write have multiple tiny thoughts that work together as I mull over them in my mind for a period of time. And sometimes I start with one or two thoughts, and eventually the story includes other things way in the back of my mind.
To me, this is really a writing miracle! But one that happens if you are just aware and observant and thoughtful.