Getting inspiration

A long time ago, I read some writing tips shared by Agatha Christie. She recommended reading the news.

As it happens, I read a lot of news online, not because I’m really interested, but to stay busy and keep my mind occupied (too much info?). Unfortunately, I have never really felt I had one single good idea for my writing from that source. I suspect it’s because this advice came a very long time ago (a lot longer ago than when I read it) – at a guess, maybe in the 1930’s, which of course would be extremely different in many ways).

Personally, I get my ideas from a mix of my book reading (mostly fiction, but naturally also non-fiction) and real life. It goes something like this: Why is it like that? (Usually feeling bitter and upset about something) Why isn’t it like that instead? And I start writing a story about that. Actually, I have on occasion (just a few times) been inspired by real, actual dreams. And why not? In Swedish we have a saying that goes something like this: All ways (methods etc) are good except the bad ones. Which is true.

In fan fiction though, I have to admit that most of the time I’m just inspired by a handsome face.

Where do you get your inspiration for your writing?