So I am often asked how it is that I come up with my material. I would like to say that it just comes to me but the truth is, it doesn't. I often sit on my computer and stare into the blank spaces on the word document and then allow my mind to wander off on its own. A lot of my writing process is actually not writing at all but feeling the story. I allow the images of my deepest desires and the word around me to dance in a series of unrelated pictures. Each one becomes a potential story. I envision what each one would be and then toss them out as I sort through the ones that don't catch my attention.

With my eyes closed I select a few of those images that I felt were worthy of becoming my next adventure and finally begin to put on paper my ideas. Although incoherent at the moment, I allow my fingers to races across the keyboard. Words spill out rapidly and all I can is allow them to be. Free writing is my greatest tool. So much of my work comes from it. once I have an idea for each image I had earlier picked, I read through the mumbo jumbo I have written and truly see which has the greatest potential. It is then that I choose my next story and begin an adventure that will guarantee to keep me busy for several months.

Yet the process does not stop there. When I find myself reaching a dead end or confused at to which way to go in the story, I take a break. I walk away from it all (or just stay sitting down but close the program) and find something else to do. I turn on the tv, eat, read a book or magazine, or check all my social networks. Sooner than later my problem is solved and I have worked out what would be the next step of my story. But how, you ask?

Well, everything around you is material. The conversations you have, the commercials you watch, your daily experiences etc. You cant expect for the to write itself or to always get inspired while write. Sometimes you have to actually look for the inspiration and sometimes you have to forget. For example, have you ever noticed you come up with some of the best ideas while you shower, cook, or watch tv? Thats because the brain never stops working and when you stop focusing on something you allow your brain to work through it on its own pace. Then you get the sudden "ding" light bulb effect.

So how do I come up with my material, well it not so much come up as it is letting myself become influenced by even the slightest detail of my life. Its a process in on itself but it is the most important one of all.

Can you relate? How do you get inspired? Do you have a "ritual" as your pre-writing game?

Share your story.