Elusive Butterflies

When someone reads one of my stories and says, "I don't know where you come up with this stuff," I wonder: Is that a compliment? Of course, I get asked all the time where I get my ideas. I think all writers do. I think story ideas are flitting all around all the time like elusive butterflies just waiting for me to look up and notice them. They can be pretty hard to catch, but sometimes when I'm not expecting it, one of them will come and land on my shoulder. I have to take notice quickly, though, because the ideas flit away with astonishing speed.

I had a great idea for a story the other day. I got all tingly about it. Then, I broke the cardinal rule of catching story ideas. I didn't write it down. That afternoon, when I tried to remember my great story idea, poof--gone. I couldn't remember the idea. I couldn't remember what sparked it. I couldn't remember anything about it. It was thoroughly and completely gone. I still can't remember anything about it. Ideas are like that. If you want them to hang around, you have to write them down. Write them down! Write. Them. Down. I have learned my lesson. Again.

Of course some ideas, probably the best kind, are a little more persistent. They are more like mosquitoes than butterflies. They leave an itch behind that you just can't ignore. You have to write them down too, though. If you don't, the itch will fade and you'll forget even the most exciting ideas.

How do ideas come to you?