What's the Most Random Thing That Inspired a Story Idea?

As a prolific writer, I've learned that even the most mundane details or the strangest observations can spark an idea for a story. One specific instance where a random observation led me to write a mystery novel is what I want to share today.

Preparing for a Mystery Novel

Before diving into a new mystery novel complete with a rich cast of characters, including potential psychopaths from the neighborhood, I first set the stage for my story. This involved creating the groundwork for the characters by researching their backgrounds and motives thoroughly. My novels are set in the mid-18th century, and even with the eleventh book still to be released in 2025, I continue to do extensive research. Recently, I was working on a work in progress and came across the grounds for annulment of marriage in that period. This discovery provided a germ of an idea for my next novel, even though I hadn’t been specifically researching annulment.

Historical Research and Inspiration

In the world of my story, the covered sidewalks of Kings Landing, a reference to Game of Thrones, are reminiscent of Constantinople. This led me to ponder how little we were taught about the Eastern Roman Empire in school. My love for history then led me to the Byzantine Empress Theodora, whose husband burned her trading ships and banned Icons. These thoughts led to a series of 'what ifs,' which eventually became the germ of my novel Ja?queta.

Bits and Pieces of Inspiration

Ideas, particularly for my historical novels, often come in bits and pieces. They can be triggered by a single detail or fact from research. Books and movies are frequent sources, but sometimes the most unexpected things can inspire me. For instance, an idea can come from a conversation, a dream, or just a random observation.

I've had ideas from dreams, which are often the hardest to turn into a concrete plot as they usually don’t make much sense. An example is the aquatic plant that downloads a predator's consciousness into a super-fast simulation, giving them the most terrifying and depressing experience for weeks or months of subjective time in less than a second. The plant then uploads them back, and they immediately kill themselves. This idea is a horrific plot device, but it's near impossible to make explicable in a story because the device itself is invisible by nature and can't be shown.

A Strange Observed Detail

Among the most peculiar and random inspirations is a detail that caught my eye long ago: the similarity between the words dolphin and doleful. This led to the story of Princess Doleful. The narrative went that no one ever saw her frown or cry, and every sound she made was like laughter. This whimsical seed of an idea could be the starting point for a quirky and entertaining story, if only the details could be fleshed out with more depth and accuracy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ideas for stories can come from anywhere. Sometimes, the most random things in life can inspire the most spectacular and engaging stories. For writers, the key is to keep an open mind and a notebook handy, to capture those fleeting moments that can spark a lifetime of creativity.