What Inspires You?

Inspiration: It’s a thing creative types think a lot about. The painter. The designer. The songwriter. The author.

For me, I love that each day holds the possibility of a thousand little inspirations for my writing. The unusual shade of blue in the Crayola box that is the perfect eye color for a character. The city I happen to get stuck in on a cross-country road trip that would make an amazing setting. The article in a magazine that gives me a really fun plot idea.

I have no less than seven notebooks in strategic places in my home office, home gym, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, car, purse, and church bag for when such inspiration strikes.

Taped inside one of those notebooks right now: A magazine-torn photo of the shoes above. I saw them. I loved them. I ripped the page out. Because I want to create a character who wears these shoes!

I can see her. Feminine but tough. 5 foot 10, and not afraid to tower over everyone. Her pedicure is perfect, but her fingernails are a mess. She would rather see movies by herself than with someone else. She munches on Vlasic kosher dill pickles when she’s stressed. Her checkbook cover is black and her toothbrush is red. I love her. And I love the prospect of getting to know her even better.

Thank you, Mr. Louboutin, for the inspiration.

Tell me now, blog reader, what inspires you?