I was in the middle of a conversation with a student about Simulation Theory when I started to see an image in my head of a man holding a coffee cup. This sort of vivid imagery used to be normal for me and a sure sign of my connection to the story realm. I saw the man, Oliver, holding his cup and staring at it in absolute confusion. See, when he picked up the cup there was a particular picture on it (I cannot see the picture yet). However when he looked again the image had changed.
This was a glimpse into a story. I gained access to that view because my mind was open and I was allowing myself to see the world in story and drawing inspiration from everything in my path. That last part is key. Not everyone is nuts like me and believes that all stories come from an alternate reality of some type. Most of us feel like stories are born from inspiration, but it is hard to find a way to be inspired.
We can find inspiration anywhere if we allow ourselves to see. There is inspiration everywhere. Listen. Look at the news. Talk to your friends and see what is going on in their lives. Everyone and everything around us is living a story. That bird sitting on the roof diligently tugging at a shingle? It came from somewhere that taught it shingles were to be had and even made into homes. What does that world look like? That boy laughing and twisting in his stroller seat? Why is his glee making his mother frown? What does that world look like?
Always be asking yourself the question: What does that world look like, because we are merely translators, dear writer. It is our job to show others these worlds we see in our heads and our minds eye. In order to do so we must be open to the experiences around us. We must allow ourselves the space and patience and even courage to see the lives unfolding in our shadow.