Notes In The Margin #8: Inspiration Everywhere!

One of the lessons I learnt during my recent trip to Scotland was that even the smallest, most mundane things could provide the inspiration for my writing.

I'd expected to be inspired by the big things like the mountain vistas, the sweeping glens and the majestic waterfalls, but I was utterly surprised to find small details in the most unlikely of situations triggering my writers' sense for a good idea.

This gave me the idea of the "Lightning Tree"
which will be a totem that my intrepid
heroes will come across in their travels.
[Photo: Jack Gilbert]

Like crossing a car park and dodging through a coach party of tourists.  I've channeled the frustration that created into an idea for a scene set in a busy market where a character is trying to follow someone through the throng.

Like crossing a bridge across a wide river.  Despite being a sturdy metal bridge, the structure flexed and bounced with each step.  That set me thinking about the kinds of primitive bridges my characters would cross in their journey.  One of them may not like how the bridge moves under them, especially if the river beneath is wide and fast flowing and they can't swim.  That might add to their anxiety about what lies on the opposite bank.

Like setting down heavy bags upon finally arriving at a destination and feeling muscles complain and celebrate simultaneously.

Like a weary traveler feeling the cool, soothing relief provided by a trusty family recipe ointment when its been applied to numerous and immensely irritating insect bites.

Those are just a few examples of the ideas that struck me last week.

Then there were the not-so-mundane situations that have obvious connections to my current work in progress.

The sense of utter fear that I felt as I navigated my way along a ridiculously narrow section of mountainside path on the climb up to the waterfalls overlooking Glen Coe has been given to the naive Prince in Kiranan's Crucible.  He too will feel that gut-churning sensation as he drag his royal backside through the dirt in an attempt to stay as far away from the perilous drop as possible.

A nice spot to stop for lunch.  Such a Relief!
[Photo: Jack Gilbert]

The relief at stopping for a welcome rest and refreshment during a lengthy walk along a rocky path on a hot summer's day and the resignation at having to set off again afterwards will also feature as my characters make a daring escape into the mountains.

I could go on.  My notebook - I took an actual notebook with me on my trip because pen and paper don't need recharging via a USB cable half way up a mountain - is full of little snippets of ideas that were inspired by many moments during the course of my holiday.

But the good news is that you don't have to go on holiday to get inspiration!  It's still happening to me now that I'm back home and back in the old routine.  There was a stale and inhuman smell in the subway passage down town today.  Whenever I need to describe a foul stench, I will recall that to mind (and there will be plenty of those in medieval Kiranan).

I could go on, but you get the idea.  Inspiration can come from anywhere at any time.  People interacting, the world around us, the things that you and others do and the feelings those actions generate.  Record those sparks of awareness.  Record them all because they will help you and your writing either directly, or later with further development.

Oh, sparks of awareness.  That's given me an idea!

See, you never know when inspiration will strike...