Where Do Stories Come From?

As you've probably figured out by now, I read a lot. A lot, as in, several books every day, a lot. If books were fattening, I'd be that 1000 pound woman the fire department has to cut out of her house to get her to the hospital.

Not only have I always been a reader, I've always had a secret wish to be a writer. What better job could a person have than to be able to come up with stories that entertain, fascinate, or educate other people. The thing that really stumps me, though, is how authors come up with the ideas for the stories they write. When I've read interviews with authors, they seem to say that a book or story just starts with an idea that they have. Like it just appears in their brain. I'm sure I'm making things sound too simplistic. How did Tolkien come up with the ideas for The Hobbitt and The Lord of the rings? What kind of a mind do you have to have to come up with things like hobbitts, elves, magic rings, demons, and middle earth? When I think of minds like that, I think there's no way I could ever be an author.

For now I guess I better stick with what I know, which for now includes this blog. I'm not sure if anyone is actually reading it, but it helps me get some thoughts out. Maybe one day it will lead to some magical other world, and I'll become as entertaining as Tolkien. Or not. *snort* :-)

I have a lot of admiration for writers, though. Even some of the other blogs I've read are amazing. For people who are not professionals, and some who are much younger than me, some of the folks out in the blogosphere are really talented. So for now, I'll keep reading and hope that someday I can at least make someone laugh, even if I can't take them to a magical land far, far, away. If not, I can always threaten them with an enema tube! MUAHAHAHA!