The key revelation was that everyone has ideas, but writers train themselves to notice the ideas more. Training your attention leads to insights in all sorts of areas. As to where the ideas come from in the first place, well, that's a total mystery. It's like asking where thoughts come from.
And then he goes on to freestyle a demonstration of his creative process for a bit and answers the question in his unmatched kind and lovely way and in doing so related another prime rule of storywriting: show, don't tell. This man is a gift and he keeps giving.
It's funny; he keeps coming back to that goldfish werewolf thing. There's a reference to it in The Sandman, and when I heard him speak once, he mentioned it, too.
I can't believe I'm replying to a 9 year old comment, but this question isn't "tricky" it's just plain bad. If you are a writer and you have to ask others where they get their ideas from you should consider applying at your local Walmart.
I think he honestly described it perfectly; I have no clue where these ideas are from. They happen when I'm just going about my life, and then I hurry and put it to words.
Sci fi and fantasy authors are always whining about this question. But then Gaiman goes on to describe a technique: start with a premise (Werewolf bites a person, they turn into a werewolf) and modifies it (Goldfish). There you go - that's where he got it.
I wrote a story that was inspired by the sudden availability of machines where you could deposit your old iPhone for money. Now people are afraid to leave me with their elderly relatives.
Ohohohohoho.. I may be three years too late but I agree with you. There have been so many books, including one in my country puplished as a horror novel. Called the best book written in the nation for many years, which is absolute bullshit. Horror? Nothing happens in the book, NOTHING. As a horror fan and a aspiring writer I find that book insulting.
This is interesting...am a writer but a different writer from Neil. Am a people watcher and you can get ideas from that ...imagine that person, attach a story to them and scenarios and add embellishments to the story of that person which might/might not be true.
The better question is not where you get your ideas, it's how you flesh out and organize your ideas. Because sometimes, very few times, it goes like a straight line (simple and easy to construct and organize) and other times, most of the time, it just veers off and it goes everywhere, and you hate it, and all you want to do is punch it in the flipping face, but you can't punch it in the face because that's your face!
That may be a better question, but it's still a bad question. If you are a writer asking questions like that you should consider applying for a job at Walmart.
His answer reminds me of one of his Sandman comics, wherein a writer gets ideas and inspirations from having sex with a chained, malnourished muse who'd been romantically inclined with Dream. As punishment for doing this to her, Dream makes a stream of constant ideas for books flow right out of him. And when he finally males him stop, he has no ideas left anymore.
He should have answered "from Ralph's"
The one in Beverly Hills?
Reminds me of my honeymoon
Norm fans in the hizouse
Any particular Ralph's
Any particular Ralph's?
That awkward moment when you find the video of you asking Neil a silly question at the Wheeler Centre... thankfully he was very gentle with me!
+Matty Taylor we all wanted to ask it too and 40K of us are happy you did
+Benjamin Gentile ah thanks man!
Ha! Really? I'm glad you asked. Without your question we would not have the privilege of hearing his fantastic answer.
+sarrah kaliski haha happy ro be a martyr in the name of our Lord Gaiman
It was a good question! I hope you ask him some more sometime
I bet he was choppin at the bits to ask that one.
🤣🤣🤣
hahaha. a man of culture, or an acquaintance from under the queensboro bridge
Doghouse owner
Chomping at the bits, brother, all love
-TeleportsAroundYou (Jun,2024)
“What am I? Chopped liver?”
This question reminded me of that tragedy
I get mine from Ralphs.
Beverly Hills?
The key revelation was that everyone has ideas, but writers train themselves to notice the ideas more. Training your attention leads to insights in all sorts of areas. As to where the ideas come from in the first place, well, that's a total mystery. It's like asking where thoughts come from.
Can anyone truly refrain from loving such a man?
Doubtfully :)
"I don't know, you make 'em up in your head" is a perfect postface to that diatribe.
fancy words
Great question Adam
And then he goes on to freestyle a demonstration of his creative process for a bit and answers the question in his unmatched kind and lovely way and in doing so related another prime rule of storywriting: show, don't tell. This man is a gift and he keeps giving.
Desperation, Deadline, Daydream ... I can relate to those three ;) .
The 3D
Gaiman described it perfectly. Love this video.
It's funny; he keeps coming back to that goldfish werewolf thing. There's a reference to it in The Sandman, and when I heard him speak once, he mentioned it, too.
Neil's is the best answer to this very tricky question.
I can't believe I'm replying to a 9 year old comment, but this question isn't "tricky" it's just plain bad. If you are a writer and you have to ask others where they get their ideas from you should consider applying at your local Walmart.
lol that goldfish meditation is just genius in action.
I think he honestly described it perfectly; I have no clue where these ideas are from. They happen when I'm just going about my life, and then I hurry and put it to words.
Sci fi and fantasy authors are always whining about this question. But then Gaiman goes on to describe a technique: start with a premise (Werewolf bites a person, they turn into a werewolf) and modifies it (Goldfish). There you go - that's where he got it.
Bob Einstein used to say he got his at Ralph's...
I wrote a story that was inspired by the sudden availability of machines where you could deposit your old iPhone for money. Now people are afraid to leave me with their elderly relatives.
i wrote a story based on the funeral of my best friend's grandma. now my other friend is afraid i'll murder her in the night with a deflated balloon
Eliza Beard I'll read that story if you like. ;)
Simplesmente incrível! 🤗👏👏👏👏
I love Neil Gaiman
Beautifully perfect answer.
Many ideas can come from critical review. Hate something you see or read and think, "I can do this better than you!"
Ohohohohoho.. I may be three years too late but I agree with you. There have been so many books, including one in my country puplished as a horror novel. Called the best book written in the nation for many years, which is absolute bullshit. Horror? Nothing happens in the book, NOTHING. As a horror fan and a aspiring writer I find that book insulting.
This is interesting...am a writer but a different writer from Neil.
Am a people watcher and you can get ideas from that ...imagine that person, attach a story to them and scenarios and add embellishments to the story of that person which might/might not be true.
Technically... every writer is a different writer than Neil Gaiman. It would be weird if Neil Gaiman was every writer in the world.
From my best friend Bob who works at the dream recycle plant.
I believe I speak for all of us here when I notice that he was chomping at the bit to ask that question.
Desperation, Deadline, Doing Something Else, Daydream; new Sandman characters? My ideas come from "Dodgy Thoughts".
Did the Calliope story in Sandman come straight from this interview???
God, i love him
Which Ralph’s ?
The better question is not where you get your ideas, it's how you flesh out and organize your ideas. Because sometimes, very few times, it goes like a straight line (simple and easy to construct and organize) and other times, most of the time, it just veers off and it goes everywhere, and you hate it, and all you want to do is punch it in the flipping face, but you can't punch it in the face because that's your face!
That may be a better question, but it's still a bad question. If you are a writer asking questions like that you should consider applying for a job at Walmart.
That extraverted intuition, tho.
You bet, Quite a good example of Ne. He did also describe the process of Ni confluence in the sense of refining a general idea into something new.
Exactly! 😊Glad that someone noticed it and referred to it! He is one of the reasons why I love INFP's, they are extremely creative and artistic! 🙌
0:45 “not afraid”
What would be the 'garlic' used to repel a werewolf goldfish? Maybe a can of tuna?
Chairwolf in London!
That I'd love to see!
Btw, if a werewolf bit a chair, you’d end up with a chair-wolf
His answer reminds me of one of his Sandman comics, wherein a writer gets ideas and inspirations from having sex with a chained, malnourished muse who'd been romantically inclined with Dream. As punishment for doing this to her, Dream makes a stream of constant ideas for books flow right out of him. And when he finally males him stop, he has no ideas left anymore.
He's hilarious
Yeahs, His The Lunatic
I talk to the fairies!
Where do you get your ideas from?
FINALLY!
That Werewolf Idea was better than anything else he'd ever written.
3:25 is this a real story of his?
“more’
No Not Really Its That Ya Album, Conland
where's the connection?
alright we're comin in hot
I am a little concerned as of to why the girl on stage it's not looking at him with powerful love eyes...
“may be Giaman is’
Nah That Foo’s Crazy
I got an idea from a scary dream about life and death
here
Hes a liar, he got them from Ralph's
Confluence.
What, You Know Not, You See?
Oh -
The dude is being brilliantly funny and the lady next to him is barely reacting.
onik surviving gaiman
duh followee
oh no your insane : check
:D
Velocity
What did they hire this guy to ruin all the Q&As.
onik surviving gaiman? echo it
People laughing and he’s not even funny
I Dont Care It
Nah I like communists better
Propaganda
onik surviving gaiman? echo it