Ever heard part of a conversation and stuck it in your current WIP? Or see a scene in a movie and wonder how it would turn out if they had taken a different slant on it?

I do that all the time.

Maybe a song strikes a cord in you. I have come up with three plot-lines from songs (thank you CC and TM). Take for instance "Miss me Baby," by CC. Now the song itself didn't inspire the novel, but running into the artist at a fast food chain after his concert did. Ignore the fact that we followed the tour bus to that restaurant - that would be stalking probably, but that makes for a great first chapter of a book for "what if... what happens after..."


Let's say your friend goes to Starbucks and, in an attempt to check out the studly studs, places her sunglasses on to not be observed. And imagine her surprise when tallest stud extraordinare approaches her - cue heart palpatations and excuses for gold band on third finger, left hand (kidding kidding). Then imagine said stud informs her she is wearing not one but two pairs of glasses and walks out the joint. That is funny - that can lead to soooooo many things! (sorry hun - you know I love you!)

other examples:
*Your spouse, not realizing the popcorn button on the microwave in fact cooks it, sets the timer for six minutes and leaves the room - makes for an interesting scene when the heroine smells it and in pre-natal angst runs from the room

*You know a pair of twins and cannot for the life of you tell them apart - your heroine can ID the wrong twin in the morgue and later realize her mistake when she see the other

*You are pregnant and, though live in Texas, wonder what would happen if you got trapped in a snow storm in Colorado in December - Your hero finds a pregnant woman about to give birth just after a wreck into a snow bank

*A friend comes over and your children hide every single time (usually in a closet) - your hero/heroine could have a killer among their inner circle that only the youngest know to fear

You can pull inspiration from so many aspects of life. Listen, observe, get details no one else cares to watch for - just don't put on two pairs of glasses!