Have you ever wondered how writers come up with ideas for their stories? I’m sure we all have different methods, but for me locations generally inspire an idea then I let my mind wander. On a recent trip to the Oregon Gardens I took a plethora of pictures that inspired me. They were fun and whimsical and made me smile. Below are just a few.
Will I write a book based on any of these pictures? Probably not, but the feelings they evoke in me may very well inspire my next story idea. I hope you enjoy viewing the pics as much as I did experiencing them.
My husband dubbed this the bird apartment complex. :)
This statue was tucked away in one of the gardens. It’s the kind of thing that gets my creative wheels churching. Who is she, why is she there, what is she looking for? I know I sound nutty, but that’s how my imagination works. :)
I love these colors!
This appeals to the child in me. :)
A Hobbit hole! I wanted to play in there, but I’m too tall.
Now it’s your turn. What kind of things inspire you?
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Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance, romantic mystery, and romantic suspense that warms the heart and feeds the soul. Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
I love how you get your inspiration.The words of Mary Kay Ash are always inspirational.
I am a family historian and I collect pictures that tell stories.
That is wonderful, Mary Kay.:)
Beautiful pictures, Kimberly. I’m often inspired by song lyrics and nature. During the summer, my hummingbird friends help to keep me inspired as well.
Thanks, Jill! Nature is so inspiring. I love humming birds. We have at least one that lives around our house year around, which to me is odd since it gets pretty cold here.
Adapting to another way of living is inspiring because of the opportunity to experience another person’s cultural differences.
I hadn’t thought about that, Colleen, but I completely agree.:)
Fun pictures! I especially liked the bird apartment complex. What inspires me? Lots of things, but this week in particular, The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. It’s transforming my prayer life, deepening my walk with God.
Blessings,
Andrea
Thanks, Andrea. :) I love that words can inspire.
I’m inspired by locations too, Kimberly… but a completely different type. Small towns in cool locations get my creative juices flowing. But I did love your pictures, especially the birdhouses and the hobbit hole. Thanks for sharing!
Me too, Lee. My very first book series took place in the neatest little town, Leavenworth, WA. Now if that town inspire . . .:)
Isn’t Leavenworth a wonderful town?? My husband and I took a couple of anniversary trips there & just fell in love with it. I loved that the townsfolk & shop workers dressed up in traditional German (or Bavarian) garb. One could almost picture being in a quaint village :-) One of the years we went, it was the Maifest (or May-fest) & watched them do the Maypole dance, listened to some polka music & dancing too! What fun that was :-) We want to go again in the very near future, maybe for Oktober-fest! The food is to die for…well, not literally of course!
Yes, Trixi, Leavenworth is a great! My husband and I always enjoy visiting there. :) I hope you get to go back soon.
I think inspiration is more of a mindset than anything. If we’re looking around us with awe, wonder, and curiosity, the most mundane things can be inspiring.
Very true. Valerie. :)
Kimberly Rose,
I have some of those same photos. My daughters actually squatted down and had their photo taken in the Hobbit hole. One of my favorite photos was of the pots people. (I’ve tried posting a photo of my but I can’t. Sorry. They were so cute.) The Oregon Gardens are always fun to go to at different seasons. I’ve been to weddings there too and it’s just beautiful.
I’m not a writer, but I am inspired by others words and photos. I also am inspired whenever I go to the coast. To see God’s beauty and power. Thanks for sharing those fun photos and reminding me of some fun times.
Love all the thoughts on inspiration. Travel to new and fun places inspire me. I love to see the new scenery, experience new cultures and wonder about the history of buildings and such.
Oh yes, JanJan I agree. Seeing new places and cultures is so inspiring!
I am inspired by going to new places and seeing God’s wonder in everything. Took a train trip to Washington DC over the summer. I grew up there but never tire of all of it’s historical sites and monuments. I saw DC through a tourist’s eye this time and was so inspired by all of the monuments and museums once again. Another favorite place is going to the ocean and enjoying the sunrises and sunsets. Only get there once a year so they really inspire me. The sound of the ocean is also very inspiring to me. We live in the mountains and surrounded by trees so we don’t get to see many sunsets.
Thank you for sharing about inspiration. I am amazed at how the simplest things can cause our minds to be inspired. God definitely gives us such beautiful sights and sounds to enjoy. We just need to take the time to experience all the blessings around us. :-)
I agree, Melissa.:)
What inspires me? Sometimes, just relaxing (when I have time) on the back deck looking over our yard. Listening to inspirational Christian music inspires me as well.
That sounds nice, Dana. My brain is most creative too when I’m relaxing.:)
I’ll confess that I would like to live in a Hobbit hole. I can just picture my husband mowing the roof now…lol. I am always trying to tell stories through my photos. I’m not a professional, but I enjoy taking photos wherever I go. Nature in particular inspires me. I love to see and recognize the beauty of our great Creator’s hands. Especially in the little corners where many people don’t look.
I know what you mean about being inspired by nature, Beechtreehollow. :)
I’m loving your pictures, Kim, especially the bird apartment complex! I can see where these photos would trigger your authors imaginative spark!! The Hobbit house could be a doorway to a secret garden and maybe the statue of the woman could come to life under magical circumstances. See, this is why I leave the writing to the authors of the world because I’d have no idea how to make those scenarios into a novel….haha!!
What inspires me? Seeing other people grow in Christ, maybe overcome a difficulty in their life by relying on Him. It just might be something I am struggling in too & seeing them put their faith and trust in Christ can help me in my walk. I also love hearing the testimony of other believers to answered prayers, because that encourages me to keep praying too! Or maybe the ultimate inspiration, is seeing someone give their life to Christ for the first time, because it reminds me of the day I did that. Gets me to thinking how far God has taken me over the years & all the things He’s freed me of :-) I also love listening to praise and worship music, that inspires me to get closer to God in my heart & spirit! There are so many things that can inspire a person, but I think ultimately it should be Christ who does that for us :-) And I happen to see Him in everything (or try to anyway)!
Thanks, Trixi. :) I can see why those things inspire you!