The Origin of Ideas
I’ve noticed a trend lately with the production of new movies. The trend seems to be that the ideas behind movies aren’t necessarily “new” anymore. There are a few exceptions, of course, but it appears to me that movie producers are out of ideas. Movies are either produced in order to gain the most shock value, have the silliest plot imaginable or they are a remake of an older movie, quite possibly one that has been reproduced more than a few times.
So where do ideas come from?
Ideas can also emerge straight from the imagination where a limitless amount of creativity can be found. Masters of creativity, in my opinion, include J. R. R. Tolkein, Stephen King and J. K. Rowling. Authors such as these add strength to the following quotes by Cynthia Ozick:
“To imagine the unimaginable is the highest use of the imagination.”
Ideas for characters are also either based on real life or imagination. Some characters are much more likeable than others and I find when I discover an author who can continue to create likable characters or characters I love to hate, I am much more inclined to continue reading their books.
Do you like reading about real people…families, farmers, secretaries, entrepreneurs, blue or white collar workers…who face a life-changing dilemma?
The types of characters you enjoy reading about will correspond to the types of scenes and dilemmas you prefer reading about…real life drama, extreme suspense or imaginary lands. You may enjoy a book familiar to your current life or you might enjoy a book completely different from what you know as a way to escape monotony.
So where do my ideas come from?
Do my ideas relate to cases I have worked?
In spite of my legal background, I am not a one trick pony.
Either way, it’s a challenge I look forward to.