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I’m often asked how I get ideas for a story. The possibilities for a story are endless. Personal life experiences are always a good place to start. I like to write stories of when I was a little boy growing up in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania over fifty years ago. I enjoy reading about other people’s personal experiences and that has been an inspiration to me.

A pet can give you quite a few stories. How many people have seen their dog or cat do something that has made them laugh? I got in my truck one time and decided to take my dog Izzy with me for a ride. I was about to leave when I realized that I had to get something from the house. As I came back to the truck Izzy was so happy jumping all around and just as I reached for the door handle she stepped on the door lock. She had a happy look on her face as I peared through the window, looking at me keys locked in the truck along with my dog. I guess it is always a good idea to keep a spare key handy. I learned that lesson the hard way.

Looking in a photo album always gives me many ideas for a story. Like the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Remember that vacation to Niagara Falls or the train ride up Mount Washington’s cog railway in New hampshire. The family picnic in a state park or a hike with the scouts to a lake two and a half miles from the parking area.

Anyone who has ever served in the military always has stories to tell. Remember basic training, tech school or your first trip overseas. The times you got stranded at an airport or when they lost your luggage. Friends who you met in the military but now have no idea where they are.

Jobs you have worked at can give a lot of stories. Which ones were your favorites and which were the worst? Friendships you made with co-workers. Co-workers who got promoted ahead of you because of who they knew and not what they knew.

Television shows, movies, and books can put a lot of stories in your head. Which TV shows did you love to watch and which ones were horrible? What movie did you see that made you laugh, cry, or give you a different outlook on life? Who is your favorite author? What book was so interesting that you couldn’t put it down?

Never, ever feel that you don’t have anything to write about. Life is an open road with many ups and downs, good times and bad times. Don’t feel like you have entered the twilight zone. Share those stories and when the compliments start to come your way, it will give you a warm feeling inside. A sense of pride and then you will know for certain, you were meant to be a writer.