Comments on: Writers Are Magpies–or Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

By: Fanatical Pupil » Blog Archive » Writers Are Copycheaters

Fanatical Pupil » Blog Archive » Writers Are Copycheaters — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:45:47 +0000

[…] Facebook is pretty good at Copycheating, Diana Pharaoh Francis says that writers are also pretty good at stealing (or “borrowing” or “integrating”). We watch everything, we pry into […]

By: Victor Powell

Victor Powell — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:08:11 +0000

Haha, like the previous comments, I too have a notebook that I am constantly scribbling ideas or new ideas for a novel I’m working on. And idea do indeed come from everywhere. I had a recent idea that I got when I was running late and noticed that the clocks in my house wasn’t sychronized. I, later, got another idea because I was sitting in my office, feeling cold.

I like the Magpie name rather Packrat, as I’ve been called because I seem to collect stuff from everywhere.

Today, I thought I lost my notebook and nearly had a heart attack…it’s then I realized that it’s one of my prized possessions–worth more than gold.

By: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Diana Pharaoh Francis — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:33:31 +0000

JZ–that is Awesome. My truck is plenty dirty . . .

By: JZ

JZ — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:20:24 +0000

I recall reading that Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) did the notebook thing as well. On one occasion, he apparently left the notebook at home and ended up writing the idea in the dust on his car.

By: Diana Pharaoh Francis

Diana Pharaoh Francis — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:34:17 +0000

Keith~ when I first read yours, I read “spank and idea.” I rather like that. Now I will have to use it. I’m a magpie. Never can have too many ideas, unless it keeps you from writing.

Lydia~ I love it!

Missy: Welcome to the birdhouse.

By: Missy S

Missy S — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:33:28 +0000

Oh don’t I know it… I have several notebooks full of several random thoughts and ideas. Working on something now for one random thing that has sparked a 13 page outline.

I love watching people, seeing reactions, hearing strange words… when I’m researching, if I read a word I like, I write it down b/c it will help me remember it later.

*settles into nest* Yeah, I know exactly what you mean.

By: Kelly McCullough

Kelly McCullough — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:46:12 +0000

Ooh, shiny! The topic that is. Very nice post.

By: Lydia Sharp

Lydia Sharp — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:59:11 +0000

Looks like I have something in common with Heinlein. I do the notebook thing, too. I’ve received questioning looks on more than one occasion.

The world is constantly throwing ideas at us. I picked up one just yesterday by simply walking into my apartment building, and the woman who lives above me was out watering her flowers. The poor things looked horrible - wilted, brittle, stiff - and she’s dumping a BUCKET of water over them.

I said, “They’re having a rough time of it, eh?” And she said, “Yeah, I’m just trying to save the little darlings.” The way she said it, with her rosy-cheek grin…how could I NOT use that? Suddenly, I’ve got a new supporting character for my next novel: the overly optimistic gardener.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 10:49:17 +0000

Sometimes it just takes a question to spark a story/idea, like “Why would aliens come to Earth”, the answer I came up with, hint, they didn’t come specifically for Earth or Earth’s people/resources, spun off at least 3-4 more story ideas! one they come to help, another they come to enslave us, and one they are indifferent to us, one of these days I need to get busy and write one(or all) up. Can you have too many ideas? lol