| I've been traveling for the holidays and most | | | | a foodie. What's that about? Which brings me to... |
| recently I visited with family in Ohio. At one | | | | What Is It About the Thing That Excites You? |
| crowded gathering my 9-year-old nephew Bryan, | | | | I like to think I watch something over and over |
| who has already been recognized in the local | | | | because I need that long to figure out why I'm |
| press for his writing talents, pulled me aside and | | | | intrigued with it. I'm not sure I can watch |
| said, "Aunt Sophfronia, I haven't been writing. I | | | | Robocop today--it's too violent for me now. But |
| don't have any ideas for new stories. What do I | | | | years ago I saw past the violence and became |
| do?" | | | | totally involved with what the film said about |
| First I complimented him on asking the | | | | personality and spirit and what exists beyond a |
| question--so many adults struggle with this very | | | | person's physical being. I don't know yet what's |
| thing and don't ask for help! Next, I asked him | | | | got me stuck on Top Chef, but I'm working on it! |
| about what he's been watching/consuming lately | | | | The key is to find out what draws you to your |
| re: movies, television shows, games, etc. We | | | | latest obsession. Why? Because that will be the |
| discussed several things, but the one story that | | | | foundation for your new idea. |
| seemed to grab him was from the movie, High | | | | How Can You Use the Same Themes/Inspiration |
| School Musical. He recited it to me in detail. I | | | | to Create Something New? |
| asked him what about the movie interested him. | | | | The ideas I gleaned from Robocop turned up in a |
| He liked how music helped tell the story. He liked | | | | short story I wrote. My nephew is using his |
| that the characters were ordinary kids. Then I | | | | fascination with watching kids just like him acting |
| asked, "Can you use any of this for inspiration to | | | | out a story to make a new story for children in |
| create something new?" He thought about it for a | | | | his own school. Making this next step is easier |
| moment. I could almost see the wheels spinning in | | | | than you think: chances are the reason you're |
| his head. Suddenly his eyes lit up and opened wide. | | | | obsessed about a particular topic is because you |
| "The Vincent Elementary Musical!" He couldn't stop | | | | have something very big you want to say about |
| talking after that. He story was coming out | | | | it. You just haven't put form to your thoughts |
| fast--we even discussed how he could use | | | | just yet. Take some time to think and articulate |
| popular song s to help tell his story. That was it, | | | | the original feelings and thoughts you have about |
| he was off and writing! Okay, what exactly did | | | | your source of inspiration. |
| we do to get him to his idea? Let's review: | | | | Map It Out and Get to Work! |
| What's Got Your Attention Now? | | | | An idea will remain just that--an idea--until you put |
| We all like to take in stories in one way or | | | | something on paper. What you write doesn't have |
| another: movies, musicals, plays, television shows, | | | | to be elaborate. A few notes to yourself or a |
| operas, books. And there are times when you | | | | paragraph detailing your concept will be enough to |
| might find yourself taking in the same thing over | | | | get you started. Whether your idea comes to |
| and over again. Maybe you're stuck on reality | | | | you in full form, like the "Vincent Elementary |
| shows or you've become totally obsessed with a | | | | Musical" or in pieces that you'll put together over |
| movie--I remember when the film Robocop came | | | | time, you'll see this process will work for you |
| out. I'd never seen anything like it and I couldn't | | | | again and again. So the next time you're stuck |
| get it out of my mind. I saw it seven times in the | | | | think about these steps--and how even a |
| course of a month! Right now I'm watching the | | | | 9-year-old can do them--and find your next big |
| show Top Chef over and over and I'm not even | | | | idea! |