A way with worlds: 12 - Finding Inspiration

You can also find some unusual or unexpected reference books at these places, especially in the Discount Racks. A Dictionary of Symbols may not be something you seek out - but it is useful in creating cultures. I also collect books of facts, history, etc. - books filled with bite-sized bits of information that can send the imagination flying.

And, again, its cheap.

THE INTERNET:
Yes, you're using it now. Yes, I'm sure you've surfed when bored, but have you used the net to improve your writing and get inspired?

I find the internet is also a good place to get inspiration and ideas for world-building. Among things I do now:

1. Do searches on cultural issues I want to study (which is how I got information for religious practices in my own original world).
2. Bookmark pages with cultural, historical, religious, technical, etc. references I can use when I have questions to answer or I want to surf around and get inspiration from.
3. Surf randomly around really unusual webrings and see what I find and what comes to mind.

It sounds strange, but I find a lot of net-enabled writers don't use the net for research and/or inspiration, at least to the level they could. My basic rule in research - assume it's on the net somewhere, somehow, or a way to get to what I need to know can be found there.

THE LIBRARY:
Enough said. A good wander through the stacks (especially a big university library) is a great way to get your creativity and world-building skills flowing.

And, its cheap ;)

FELLOW WRITERS:
Hopefully you have some. If not, find some.

People are the ultimate resource - you can bounce ideas off of them, shoot the breeze, and have fun as well as get your concepts together. A good dialogue over some pop can do wonders for a dead-in-the-water inspiration.

Form relationships with people, online and face-to-face, if you really want to write, and if you want to get your imagination going. Help them out and they'll help you. A cheesy movie and a friend can do wonders.

Good sources for making writing contacts:

1. Listservs (http://www.onelist.com, http://www.topica.com/) - join one or form one. Its easy to do.
2. About.com (http://www.about.com) - Various groups, issues, etc. from specific subjects to regional places have their own web pages and groups.
3. Local bookstores, writers workshops, and events. Many bookstores I go to have events, message boards, and even web pages to help you meet fellow writers. Again, perhaps you can do something on your own.
4. Libraries and campuses sometimes have workshops, events, and non-student or all-come classes.

Besides, making friends and connections is fun. Go for it ;)

IN CLOSING:
Well, that’s all I have to say for this column, a rather free-form one I admit, but one I hope helps you out!

Take a trip to my own alternate world, the Crossworld of Xai, at http://www.seventhsanctum.com/xai/