One of the most common questions for a writer is “Where do you get your ideas?” or “What inspires you?”

Personally, I find this question both the easiest thing to answer--and the hardest--because my true answers are not that romantic or inspirational.

My ideas come from everywhere and anywhere. I've been a bartender/waitress for 19 years, so I can vouch for the "it takes all kinds to make the world go 'round'" saying. It's definitely true and all kinds walk into a restaurant or bar on a regular basis. So...real people inspire me.

Life also inspires me; the things I see on the streets, in the mall, or read about in the news. Being able to pay my bills at the end of each month inspires me to plant my butt in the chair and get my fingers dancing across the keyboard, even when it's the last thing in the world I really want to do.

It's not romantic, but it's true.

Another not so nice thing that inspires and motivates me...other people's success. Yup, I covet their successes. I look at them and I think, man I need to work harder, or be more imaginative. I'm not just talking about other writers either. Stupid reality shows like AMERICAN IDOL or THE BIGGEST LOSER can be very inspirational and motivational to me. In my health and in my work.

Music is awesome for inspiration, too.



Pink’s MOST GIRLS was one that I listened to a lot when writing TEMPTING GRACE my story for the ALLURING TALES anthology.

Strangely, even though I’ve always like Eminem’s music, I didn’t particularly enjoy the movie 8 MILE, but the song, LOSE YOURSELF...



...very inspirational!

Another great one is Bon Jovi's IT'S MY LIFE



But the biggest truth is...it all comes from within. The story ideas, the inspiration, they come from within a writer.

My dreams, my desires, my fears, and my foibles--they all go into every story I write. And that is why it's a hard question to answer. To truly acknowledge that I put so much of myself into every story, even the ones that I know aren't great...it makes me vulnerable, and no one likeS to be vulnerable. But I also think that's how to write a story that will touch readers because we all have hopes, dreams, desires, and foibles.

What do you think? What inspires you? What makes you keep doing what you do?

Sasha White