On Inspiration
Stealing and Borrowing, But in Space!
Categories:
[Find]
Tags:
[Ideas]
Sometimes, it can be hard to get started. You have a blank piece of paper (or blank screen) in front of you, and you just don't know what you are going to say to fill it.
That's okay! The secret is that you are not starting from nothing and trying to create a whole new thing that has never been seen before. That's just not how most stories get made.
It is okay - more than okay, in fact - to borrow things. Take a feeling, take a theme, take a character and give them a new name and put them in your story. What you are actually doing is taking inspiration from what you love.
But never take the whole thing. Always leave room for your unique story to grow out of what you borrow. Always try to think in terms of "like (what inspires you), but (the twist you put on it)".
And it doesn't have to just be stories you take inspiration from. Many great stories are basically "like (real historical period), but in space!" or "like (real sport), but everyone has superpowers!" or "like (real country), but with beautiful wooden airships in the skies!" or "like (an everyday place), but it's magical!" or whatever.
So go out, get inspired, and come up with an idea that could grow into a new story.