Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
The awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler,Ronel Janse van Vuuren,Meka James,Diane Burton,Victoria Marie Lees, and M Louise Barbour!
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
May 3 question – When you are working on a story, what inspires you?
What I am inspired by depends upon the story, but music is the constant. What music depends on what mood I am in. Sometimes it’s classic rock, sometimes it’s Celtic, but singer songwriters like John Denver, Buffy Sainte Marie and Joni Mitchell are my fallbacks. Although lately, I’ve been following several YouTube reaction channels, because they remind me of music I loved but that I lost track of.
The other thing I’ve added to my playlists are 1980s country, because my WIP references songs from that time frame, and it wasn’t anything I followed back in the day. But those songs are part of the way I’m trying to recreate the time period and the atmosphere of scenes.
But my biggest inspirations come from the characters themselves. I may start off knowing where I want the story to go, but as I get to know my characters, they will tell me what I’m doing wrong. Yes, I have changed my plot because the characters have convinced me their way of doing things is better. It happens more often than not. They will also tell me if I am writing a stand-alone or a series.
One quick sidenote- my new book, The Rise of Jake Hennessey, releases May 17th. Watch for it on this blog. 
Check out some of the links below to find out where other authors get their inspiration. Until next time, please stay safe!