I’m distracted. We’re on a road trip with three young children who now have swords and light sabers. (Yes, someone’s daddy has trouble saying no) So right now I’m in a hotel room across the street from Disneyland and there’s utter chaos all around me and I know I wanted to have this done ahead of time but yeah, so here I am. Still, by the time this is posted I’ll be homeward bound and the swords will be tucked under a seat and I’ll be hoarse from saying some variation of, “Stop that or someone is going to get hurt.”
Anyway, on top of this, I’ve done revisions, edits and some planning on a two author project with my buddy Megan Hart so I’m stretched in a few different directions but fortunately, despite all these different things, I’m finding inspiration everywhere I look. Until the day my kids are all in school, writing is a process of stolen moments for me. I’m pretty religious about my schedule, I write every night pretty much without fail but there are also snatched bits here and there where I scribble notes and leave voicemail messages for myself on my cellphone for those times I can put them to use.
I may be a mom 24/7 but fortunately, inspiration also strikes when I least expect it.
Of all the questions I get in interviews, where do you get your inspiration is the most common one. My answer is - everywhere. The story I’m working on for the dual author project with Megan came to me in line for some dinner or other at RT this last April. Just sort of riffing off each other and it turned into something real. I pelted my agent with the idea at the same dinner and luckily, she loved the idea. Likewise, we were listening to some sort of angst rock on the way down to Disneyland from our house and a lyric, “don’t worry son, we’re all the same under our skin,” came on and this launched into a full scene for a project I’ve been dying to finish for months and months now. I won’t even talk about the ideas I got from my day at the beach but I think I need a lifeguard hero very soon.
What about you? What inspires you? I’ve had three books go to print in the last few months - I’ll choose a winner from the comments at random for any of my books in print. Good luck!
THE WINNER OF MY CONTEST IS: Comment #17 - Ruth! Ruth, just head on over to my website and let me know which title you want and send me your mailing address so I can get it your way.
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Hi Lauren,
I get inspired a lot by music and sometimes just normal everyday situations
by Danny
on October 12th, 2007 at 9:27 am
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Yeah i agree, my normal inspiration comes from everyday life, but more and more recently i’ve been finding that my dreams are really good catalysts for scenes and even entire books! i guess i’m just lucky i remember my dreams!
by Ayla
on October 12th, 2007 at 9:40 am
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Lauren you must be terribly disciplined. Inspiration for me comes from music and reading but also news and general life. It is funny how a line in a song, or a small article that is hidden away amongst larger pieces can really grab a hold of you. Hope your road trip was great fun, too.
by Little Lamb Lost
on October 12th, 2007 at 10:49 am
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Inspiration really can come at any moment and from almost anything - books, music, news, even a TV show.
by Joyce
on October 12th, 2007 at 11:16 am
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Most of my inspiration lately comes from music, it inspires me to get up and go and helps me and my kids bond. 
by danette
on October 12th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
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I become inspired when I speak to my son whose life is stimulating, busy and productive. His ambition and principles always inspire me to create and become successful.
by pearl
on October 12th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
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There are many ways to be inspired, it’s true. Through music, a movie, a magazine, shopping.
by Maureen
on October 12th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
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I get my inspiration from Internet, tv, books and music.
by Minna
on October 12th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
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I get inspiration from books, magazines, tv, music, news and conversations with friends and family.
by Crystal B.
on October 12th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
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I get inspiration from just about everything. Music, tv, books, just life in general. 
Hope you had a great trip.
by Stacy S
on October 12th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
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My family and their stories inspire me… and make me stronger
by Lily
on October 12th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
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I am usually inspired by fashion, music and books.
by Nathalie
on October 12th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
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Music and my nieces and nephew inspire me. 
by Amy S.
on October 12th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
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I agree with everyone that it comes from many places. I think it just waits for you to strike you at just the right time.
by catslady
on October 12th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
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I get my inspiration mostly from my family and my friends but sometimes it strikes from places where I least expect it.
by Linda F
on October 12th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
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Music and everyday life inspire me.
by Estella
on October 12th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
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Music which I love, especially by Patrizio Buanne who is a dreamboat. That and a wonderful book gives me enough inspiration to last for a good while.
by ruth
on October 12th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
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music is great, and my friends inspire me.
by kim h
on October 12th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
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My hat goes off to you, traveling with your three kidlets. I did Disneyland for the first time when my kids were four, and parts of that trip are still a blank. As for inspiration to be productive in my life, it would be my kids for sure, that ever so important link with my sisters and any pockets of calm, either from music or quiet reading time that I can squirrel away.
by Cathy M
on October 12th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
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I find inspiration in my life from people, music, books, poetry, … Okay, you are right, it’s everywhere lol. It always hits me when I least expect it as well. I can’t make myself become inspired. I just accept it as the gift it is when it happens.
Your family sounds like mine lol. I’ve found myself saying the most ridiculous things on road trips, such as “If all that noise makes us have a wreck, you’re going to be sorry.” Lol, I think my I.Q. decreases while driving with children. 
by Zara
on October 12th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
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I love to people-watch. I could sit in the park or on a bench in the middle of downtown and just look at the people going by or doing their stuff around me. In fact, I was zipping through the grocery store the other day and I noticed an elderly couple moving on at a much more leisurely pace (compared to my frantic dash along the aisles) but I was stopped by the image they made, walking along and holding hands. I thought it was the sweetest thing and wanted to say just that to them, and that I hoped my husband and I would be like that too someday. But I worried they would find me too forward so I didn’t… but I still kinda think I should’ve. The commitment and love they represented to me could have inspired me to write several paragraphs!
by allison
on October 12th, 2007 at 7:35 pm
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my kiddos. and nature. Nothing is more beautiful than my little one’s grin or a great sunset.
by Pamk
on October 12th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
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Depending on the situation I get my inspiration from different things,but mostly my family.
by Dena
on October 12th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
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Inspiration for me comes from a beautiful day, a rainbow and butterflies, a lovely
sunset; it also comes from Nature music which I love listening to in the evening with a light turned down low as I rest in the recliner.
by RobynL
on October 12th, 2007 at 11:57 pm
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Wow! Look at all these fabulous answers. I’m back now and everyone is alive and relatively unscathed and was even able to get some work done last night before I fell asleep.
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I would have to say my inspiration comes from nature. I love to sit outside and daydream. If I am having a tough time deciding what to do I will go outside and sit on my porch swing. We have so many things to look at in our neighborhood that it always inspires me.
If I am having a tough time writing then my favorite drink, a crunchy snack like sweet-n-salty chex mix (YUM!), a candle burning nearby, with soft jazz music playing helps me to think more clearly and the ideas flow better. Also, that is my favorite way to relax also!
by Michele L.
on October 13th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
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My one year old baby girl and my 4 year old boy inspire. I never know what those two will come up with.
by Cherie J
on October 13th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
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I agree that inspiration comes from everywhere. But for me I find I am most inspired when I hear a great song, see a great piece of artwork or read a great book or story.
by April
on October 14th, 2007 at 4:49 am
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Hi Lauren,
I get the inspiration from listening to the stories of my elderly relatives and how much they have seen and been through in their 90 plus years.
by Susan
on October 14th, 2007 at 10:28 am
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People who persevere against adversity are inspirations.
by Jane
on October 14th, 2007 at 3:21 pm
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I am inspired by the wisdom and the courage of the elderly. My daughter-in-law’s grandmother is 90 years old. She can cook, play bridge, and keep her own home running and is willing to babysit her grandaughter’s dogs. What spirit and energy.
by ellie
on October 14th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
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Keeping your mind open allows for so many possibilities of inspiration from the time you arise in the morning until you fall asleep and may have wonderful dreams that give you further thoughts and ideas to consider. We can be inspired by so many simple things in life if only we will listen with our heart and mind so we take advantage of them.
by Shari C
on October 14th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
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Last week I was inspired by the young men & woman at my son’s HS who voted in an educationally challenged male student as their Homecoming King. They were able to overlook his limitations and see the true spirit that helps him perservere over life’s challenges. He’s so active in the school’s clubs, activities and is actually the school’s mascot. I’m so proud of these students who saw the individual’s heart and not his handicap!
by Laurie
on October 15th, 2007 at 5:01 am
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I would have to say that reading certain books inspire me.
by Lisa W
on October 15th, 2007 at 10:47 am
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Lauren, my inspriration is my hubby…he keeps me going when things just seem to be going nowhere.
by Deborah
on October 15th, 2007 at 10:48 am
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My inspiration comes from my family, nature and reading good books. We have a big garden and I just love reading there (and my hubby brings me coffee).
by Eva S
on October 15th, 2007 at 11:56 am
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My inspiration comes from several sources..my sons, music, good books, but one thing that has really inspired me lately has been the strength and courage of my sons’ friend Josh who just turned 15 and is fighting brain stem glioma..one of the fastest growing and most fatal types of brain cancer. He is a true warrior and blesses me daily!
by Angie T
on October 15th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
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I just get inspirated just by looking around me…music, gardens, just people watching.
by Shuck Ying
on October 18th, 2007 at 10:33 am
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any winner
by kim h
on October 22nd, 2007 at 12:27 pm
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wtg ruth
by kim h
on October 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
