What Motivates Me To Write

I'm often asked what inspires me when it comes to my writing.  Honestly, there is no set formula I use, but I can tell you all what has proven to be helpful over time.

The plot for LISTP hit me when I was cleaning my daughter's room.  I happen to have Sade playing and that very song came on.  The lyrics hit me and, suddenly, I could see the plot unfolding.  For at least five minutes, I sat on her bed and was unable to make a move.  It felt like a ton of bricks hit me.  That afternoon, I pounded out the first chapter in about an hour.

Last May, someone on Facebook mentioned that they would love to find a really romantic fic where Edward was a body guard.  I piped in on the thread to claim that.  Little did I know that would have a huge impact. One Sunday morning, while feeling depressed, I went over to YouTube to watch an old episode of my favorite tv show, Designing Women.  One of the stars was Delta Burke, who happened to be a former Miss Florida.  Her character on the show, Suzanne Sugarbaker, was also a beauty queen.

As I watched it, I wondered...has anyone ever written a fic where she was one?

It all hit me very fast...Bella Swan was nearly killed after being crowned Miss South Carolina, thus a body Guard by the name of Edward Cullen comes into her life.

One of my new fics came about because I was in a creative slump.  It was near the end of SC&CS, and I was about to stop writing.  There was something going on w/in the fandom that disturbed me, made me sick to my stomach.  I almost left due in part to it.  But, I saw her having my issues, my fears, and my anxieties one night.  I realized I could write out all of my uncertainties about my writing through her.  In this fic, Bella is lost at first, drifting emotionally, and a huge tragedy nearly rips her apart.

Remember the lyrics to "Waiting for Superman?"

That song had an impact on this fic.  Music usually motivates me, but reading fic also adds to it.  An idea popped into my head last night for the Mobward collab, all due to another story.

Even looking a pictures of crime scenes will have an impact on me.  I have an idea for a Jack the Ripper fic, but I highly doubt it would be doable.  That would require tremendous research as well as the patience of a saint.  I've never written a period piece; I doubt I could do it justice.  So that might never happen.

I leave you all with one picture...it's a small teaser for a fic that will debut very soon.

Love you all, Ashley  XXOO