Inspiration
I've haven't been feeling very inspired lately to write. Usually, I get inspired by reading books or critiquing others' stories. I've been feeling blah and can't seem to shake it. Hence, the not blogging for whole month thing. Geesh ... has it really been over a month? Time is going by way too quickly.
One of things I've been doing with my spare time to get inspiration is to read Discover magazines and watch the Science Channel. They tend to dumb-down the discoveries and breakthroughs so even I can understand the concepts. :) Writing about people with special powers and adventures in the unknown, I've found a lot of inspiration from watching and reading about developments in science. Here are a few tidbits that may get you started:
One of things I've been doing with my spare time to get inspiration is to read Discover magazines and watch the Science Channel. They tend to dumb-down the discoveries and breakthroughs so even I can understand the concepts. :) Writing about people with special powers and adventures in the unknown, I've found a lot of inspiration from watching and reading about developments in science. Here are a few tidbits that may get you started:
- Some people are chimeras. They have two different sets of DNA in different parts of their bodies. For example, a person's blood may test with different DNA than strands of their hair. This discovery could potentially shake up the world of DNA paternity testing and testing criminals for guilt. It's a small percentage of the population, but wouldn't it be interesting to have a villain who gets away with the crime because he is a chimera?
- There are people who truly have "special abilities." Many people can see and taste sound. Different sounds, whether it be a person speaking or a piano playing, form bands of color variations which they can see. Likewise, these sounds can produce a sour, sweet, or even bitter taste in their mouths. There is a man who can survive extreme cold by actually heightening his body temperature to withstand the cold.
- Currently, scientists in other countries are working on chimeras—cross-breeding species. They hope to enhance the abilities that certain animals possess and breed those genes into humans to help them overcome diseases. Can we say also see potential military use here?
- Scientists are playing around with the theory of programmable matter.
- They have now implanted a microchip into a mouse's head, which allows someone to control the mouse's movements via a remote control. They hope to use this technology when a building collapses to find anyone trapped, since mice can maneuver in tight spaces. Hmmm ... I wonder if this can be used on a human?
posted by J.T. Bock at 10:27 PM
6 Comments:
Wow--those are some fascinating discoveries! I almost always find myself thinking of ways a new medical/scientific advance could be used for evil.
It's frustrating when you're wanting to keep writing consistently, but one thing that's always encouraged me when I'm going through a not-writing period is the idea that many artists go through creative phases. There have been times when I wasn't writing at all, but was--like you are now--collecting ideas and images. Then, out of the blue one day, I sat down and something came together. I didn't plan it--it just happened.
I'd spent so much time wanting to bang my head against the desk to make words fall out. LOL Sometimes it takes longer for an idea to gestate, I suppose.
Hey. I think I saw that same show about the chimera. Wasn't it cool? I could certainly come up with some cool ideas from that one alone.
Then, there were just the cool regular ones about child birth and adoptions that made me tear up. Scary, but true. :-)
Jennifer—Thanks for the comments! Yes, and I do like the idea of going through creative phases. That's definitely the case with me.
A lot of writers say just get words down on a page because you can't edit a blank page. But I have a lot of words written on the page and can't seem to get out of my own way to finish editing them. Ugh!
Oh, yes ... you are so on my page with those advances being used for "evil." There are many creative ways that these discoveries can take a more sinister path. *insert evil overlord laugh*
Marcia,
Considering what we both write, the idea of a chimera would definitely work with our stories. Kind of cool to ground something in science. Makes it more concrete.
Yeah, I have a total soft spot for the stories about reunions. When children are reunited with long lost parent or siblings. I guess we're softies deep down. :)
The chimera thing is brilliant. Way to flip the modern world of genetic forensic testing on its head!
I like the mouse idea a great deal as well, but remember, I write a cybernetic hero, so that one's a little close to home :)
Keep it up!
nK
One of the biggest reasons I keep a subscription to Scientific American. I may not get all the jargon, but damn, they can feed you some GREAT ideas.
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