We do a number of challenges at Denver Fiction Writers. These result in some interesting short stories and a chance to see us stretch our comfort zone. Some of us have to wait until the inspiration strikes.

I know. If you just wait for inspiration, you’ll never get any writing done. As writer, I tend to have a backlog of ideas though. When I write, I stick any ideas that come up in a file and then I have those to go back on once I finish my current project.

Getting ideas is a whole nother ball game. I’ve gotten them from watching clouds, from crazy dreams, and magazine clippings. If one idea meshes with another, I combine them until I think I have enough for a story.

When it comes to challenges, I tend to the be the late one. I’ve only made one by the deadline. That’s not an excuse not to do them. Stretching your writing wings is important. It lets you play with other worlds and toy with words. What writer wouldn’t want to do that?

I’m just slow.