Inspiration is what excites me. It is what gives me the beginning of an idea for a new story.
I find inspiration in pictures and music, and sometimes, random words. But mostly pictures.
Lately I’ve turned to 500 px for inspiration. It’s a site filled with the most amazing photographs. You can’t save them, but you can buy the pictures and share them via twitter and Facebook. That’s usually what I do – share.
deviantART is also a really good place to find pictures to inspire and amaze. deviantART has not just photographs, but drawings and paintings too. It has the most astonishing portraits. I share these, too. 
Sometimes I find inspiration in shadows and just the things you see every day – buildings, clouds, people doing what they do.
Sometimes I fine inspiration in the myths, legends and history of the world. History is fascinating. It’s a lot more than dates and deeds. There are stories behind the deeds and the dates are the timeline.
But most often it’s the other forms of art that most often inspires me – pictures and music. Is that strange?
Story Treasury 
You can get inspiration from anything, anywhere. Music always inspires me and so does art, so that’s definitely not weird. Do you want to know what is weird? I’ve been inspired by a rusted screw and a safety pin. 😛
What did you make?
I might try this sometime. I’m not a visual person. Like I can’t recognize an actor that colors their hair. But as soon as I see the name I can tell you what they were in. My husband is the total opposite. But recognizing vs letting something be a cue or trigger might be different. Good idea!
Marlene at On Writing and Riding
Thanks! Yeah, it’s a trigger for me, a gateway to a new idea.
I think what inspires us can be different. I am inspired by people, situations and conversations, books and especially when I reflect on my day. Music helps to keep me going when I write – I find I am more prolific with music in the background. Maybe it’s to keep me internal chatterings to one voice!
LOL Maybe! Thanks for commenting Cristina!
Anything that helps you think can inspire you… instrumental music and spending time outside always get the ideas flowing for me!
yes, true!
Popular word today for A2Z 🙂 and all different. Pictures, or visiting places, always seems like a good source for inspiration.
Yeah, I saw that when I was visiting. Didn’t realize it would be so popular.
Inspiration is an individual thing. When you find what works for you, don’t question it. Enjoy it!
Yes, yes, it is, not the same for everyone!
Not strange at all. And I agree, deviantART has amazing artwork.
I know, it’s amazing how talented the artists are!
I guess each of us has different things to inspire us. I usually find inspiration from events, from things, people around me.
It is a great feeling when inspiration hits, isn’t it?
yeah, nothing like it!
Not strange at all – almost all of my inspiration comes from photos and music! 😀
Two of us! Fantastic!
Hard to work without inspiration! Nothing strange about craving it.
Hadn’t thought of it like that, but yeah.
It was a picture that launched Accidental Sorcerers, so no, I don’t find that odd at all. 🙂 Other things are snatches of songs, or just everyday occurrences, that can inspire a story. Good post!
I didn’t know that! That’s fantastic.
A professor I was working with for his introduction to creative writing class gave the students a website (dang – I can’t remember the name) that randomly selected pictures and the students had to use them as a basis for a short story. It was a really neat tactic in generating ideas and images.
I like that pure inspiration that can be drawn from different pictures, too, like that light bulb you picked is just incredible.
Michelle @ In Media Res
I do that sometimes, sort of. I go to the Wikipedia common picture of the day and force myself to use that picture.
Great post! Thank you for the site mentions. I really love Deviant Art. So many talented people there!
I know! It’s amazing!