Inspiration can come from anywhere.
Books are my go to. A few pages of anything has my mind running with alternate ideas and story lines. I’d bet any writer would tell you the same.
Goldilocks and the three bears set in an Alaskan winter. The baby bear has blackmailed Goldilocks into stealing a journal from the house. Mama bear’s using Goldilocks for her body. It’s a different story. Is it a good story? No, it sucks, but it is different.
Where I find the best inspiration is in real life. I ask friends and family questions. Those answers make the best stories. Of course, I never steal from them. A few twists to the details, change the events, the names, and the setting. I have a new story, but the essence is the same. The emotions are the same.
I’m researching narcissists and finding their chaos everywhere. From the nursery to the grave, you’ll deal with them at a rate of one or two to every ten people you meet. When they see weakness or vulnerability, they pounce like wild, rabid animals.
- If splitting a check takes more than five minutes, you’re dealing with a narcissist.
- Any theft or ugliness after a funeral means a narcissist is in the room or has influenced someone in the room.
- Better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Narcissist talk. If you disagree, then re-evaluate what consent means. Your loose interpretation may get you into trouble.
I will say my characters are better thanks to them. I could never imagine using a shotgun to steal money. I mean seriously $15,000.00 is NOTHING compared to a lifetime in jail when it all goes south. And it will go south.
A narcissist will do it for a fraction of that amount just to make certain YOU don’t get that money. The best we can do is allow them to bring us wonderful stories. That is the only thing they are good for.