Where to Look for Inspiration

I was sick this week.  Unfortunately, it was not the sniffly, sneezy kind of sick where you spike a sweet fever and your imagination sparks (literally) a bunch of amazing ideas.  No, this was the other kind.  I can tell you there is no inspiration at the bottom of the toilet.  

So where do you look for inspiration?

Here's my top five:

Nature

The other day I pondered what two ducks were talking about at the end of a dock.  Will it grow into a story?  Probably not.  Turns out ducks talk a lot about pooping and fish.  Then the green duck would not shut up about coming over to watch the slides from his last migration which sounded super lame.  Still it got my juices fowling flowing.

Hang with Children

My daughter and I were remembering grandma sleeping in the toddler bed to try to convince my littlest to sleep without mommy.  I told her grandma would sleep on her head if she had to (which is pure and simple fact).   My kiddo cracked up, because she was seeing the picture.  Kids don't see limits - anything is possible.  

Try something new

Those little neurons just start building new pathways each time you try something new- or even something old.  The other day at the lake several 10 year olds inspired me to cannonball (maybe they were taunting me, but that's not relevant).  I tell you there is no feeling like that one where your feet leave the dock and there is no going back.  My brain was all aquiver the rest of the day.

Force

I can be a real procrastinator, so forcing functions are always a good idea.  I just learned about Write On Con - an online conference for children's writers happening Aug 14-15.   You have the opportunity to share a query and first page writing sample in the forums where "Ninja Agents" lurk ready to attack your submission.  Ooh!   But the idea I want to use isn't quite ready...voila! I am thoroughly inspired to finish editing. 

Exercising

I admit my gym routine has been hijacked by school break.  But when I make it, the elliptical machine creates a sort of white noise like the hum of a fan at nighttime.  It is enough to shut off the random noise in my brain and let the ideas come out to play.  At least until my heavy breathing makes all the ideas run home to their mommies.  

Inspiration can strike anywhere, so keep your handy dandy notebook with you at all times.   Even in the bathroom.   Because even though there is no inspiration at the bottom of the toilet, sometimes there is inspiration on the toilet. 

Where do YOU find inspiration?  Please share in the comments!

P.S. Bonus points to the first author who answers the question "Where did you find inspiration for your book?" with "Well, I was on the john one day..."