Where do you get your inspiration?

For all you writers out there, you’ve probably been asked this a number of times but I thought it was an interesting topic for my blog since I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Yeah I have blogger’s block. I get my inspiration from all kinds of sources. I’ve dreamed story ideas, had them pop into my head while taking a shower, driving down the road, you name it. It’s interesting though how they evolve. For instance about twelve years ago I came up with this idea:

Leah Dalton, co-founder and CEO of Dalton Software Inc. has spent the last six months searching desperately for a cure to the cancer that is eating away at her brain. Finally realizing she is fighting a losing battle, she devises a plan that will give her back some control of her life. She figures if she’s going to die, she is going to be the one who chooses how and when. Inviting five of her closest friends, and a local attorney to her estate to spend a week, she shares the news of her impending death and asks for their help. Afraid of the painful death she knows is just around the corner, she offers them the chance of a lifetime. She wants one of them to kill her. She doesn’t care how as long as it’s painless and appears to be accidental or natural. In return for their good deed, the person will receive $300million dollars.

I wasn’t able to write this story until a few years ago after losing some loved ones to cancer. Only then was I able to give it the passion it deserved. It is now an 83,000 word manuscript, titled No Greater Love, that is be considered by two publishers. It’s like God planted the seed then waited until I had grown enough spiritually to water it. Does that make sense?

Anyway, if you have a similar story you’d like to share I’d love to hear it.