Writing Ideas: The Tale of the Tale

Every writer out there had a beginning. Whether the inspiration came from a book, a movie, or just plain real life. All those ideas came from somewhere. I know many of us are stuck in some part of the writing progress (For you guys who are not, may you embrace your muse -or the other way around). I was thinking about how the hell did I get here on the first place, and that gave me the little nudge I needed in order to get back on track. Yes, 100 words is not much in the grand scheme of things, but hey, it’s something. I’m happy because if it weren’t for super bad timing, that typical characteristic of the writing muse, I would’ve pushed out more.

It Started by Reading Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

And falling in love with wolves, and vampires, and then with faeries and more wolves, and aliens… etc. But more specifically, it started when I wished to change things from those books. What if Edward had actually fell in love once before Bella? What if this other girl had had a baby? What if that baby was some sort of Reneesme-like freak who was the one who got to keep Jacob? Yeah, my daydreams screamed a fanfiction with self-insert, but who cared? I wasn’t writing anything at the time, and I just liked to chase those what ifs. I did the same with a lot of other stories. Like, The Iron King, by Julie Kagawa. And with movies like Narnia, where I imagined Caspian had a sister, who Peter fell in love with. Or… that Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy had another cousin, who travelled with them and fell in love with Caspian. (I know, I know.) These stories, because that was what they were; lived in my mind for so long. It’s like they were each a different mental movie I could store once I’d built it. When I felt like it, I revisited them and changed a thing or two. It was really fun! Specially when I could listen to music and use it for background. Of course, the distant sound of a teacher droning on about something at school also worked.

So, when I had read enough books that I wanted to make something of my own; to speak to someone else in this way that was so beautiful; I was prepared.

Sorta.

I couldn’t really write about these daydreams because… copyright. But it was easier to come up with something new. And only then it was that I discovered fanfiction and my daydreams found a home.

Then, my first book, Opal was born, and… also burnt, but that’s another story. o.o (Die, Opal, die.)

What about you? Where did your idea came from? If you’re very awesome and have had more than one epic book idea, then tell us about the one you prefer!