Yesterday, I was sitting in my living room with some family when suddenly an idea for a story started to take shape in my mind.

At first it was fuzzy and blurry and it kind of felt like trying to pick up an individual grain of sand. I had no idea what the end result would look like, but I knew I had to explore this inkling.

Everyone deals with inspiration differently. Some people grab their phones and record a voice memo, others grab napkins or scrap paper and start scribbling furiously as the idea takes shape so they do not lose those important first impressions. I have so many notes and voice memos in my phone that were hastily captured in the middle of the night. It’s always a gamble to do it this way because sometimes I wake up and cannot make sense of my own tired sentence fragments or sleepy mumbles! Even if the idea isn’t fully captured, I am always 100% entertained the next day and at least have a scrap or two I can salvage.

In the past I have used many techniques to capture story ideas. This time I was lucky enough to be in the presence of trusted family when this newest idea came to me. After spending a few minutes talking it out and having questions fired at me ⁠— “Well how would that work?” “What do you mean by that?” ⁠— the tiny idea that started out no bigger than a grain of sand had grown into a seed that I could now plant, nurture, and water to see what it grows into.

I have no idea whether this idea will wilt or bloom, but for now I am enjoying the initial excitement that comes with a new story concept and regardless of the end result, I am excited at the creative challenge that lies ahead as this story takes shape!

What do you do when inspiration strikes?