Sometimes when I’m stuck for a story idea I turn to magazines for inspiration, and I’m not reading them. Yes, I admit it. I just look at the pictures.
What I like to do is flip through them and when a picture catches my eye, I stop, stare, and try to figure out the story of the person within.
Perfume ads are my favorites, maybe because they’re designed to elicit emotion.
Take a look at the one below, doesn’t it make you wonder about her? I mean, where’s she going? Or is she coming form somewhere? A date maybe? Maybe with a guy who was so not her type. Yeah, she probably gets lots of dates, but they don’t seem to go anywhere, when is she going to find Mister Right? Maybe she’ll find him when she opens her eyes and takes a better look at the guy who’s been her best friend since childhood- the guy who sees her for who she is, and not just how she looks.
Now this one…MUSTANG, so many possibilities here….Not sure which one to run with.
This ad makes me think of a very adventurous couple. One that’s been together for a while, and likes to spice things up every now and then, especially with a bit of exhibitionism. See how he’s looking at the camera? It’s like he wants to be sure that all eyes are on them.
Now these ideas come to me because erotic fiction is my genre. I’d love to see what ideas one, or all, of them inspire for others. Please share any ideas that come to mind in the comments…I’m curious.
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Oh, my gosh! I write YA, so those concepts you came up with, yeah, not what I would’ve thought of! But I love the idea!
Here’s where my mind went:
1) Wow, dark and dangerous? But maybe a little too confident? Yeah–she’s the rockstar’s daughter with a secret underside that only comes-out when the preacher’s son saves her after a night of too much partying. Too cliche? Oh, well, we’ll work on that.
2) Out in the desert, he’s just come home to grandpa’s ranch–and when he meets the new ranchand named Melody…
3) Um, he’s the slave begging to get out–she’s the lamia trying to keep him. The camerman is actually the girl who has won his heart and just needs to repay that kindness to save him.
LOL! That was really fun! Thank you!
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Ohh Chantal I love the rockstars daughter angle. Maybe the preachers son saves her from a stalker thats chasing her because of too much partying . LOL
Great thoughts, Glad you enjoyed the exercise.
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1. Super bitch. Too sexy for her own good. Can have any man she wants and she knows it. She’s a big tease, loves to make men sweat.
2. He’s a good ole boy who doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him. Extremely sexy in a humble sort of way. Much of the time he’s oblivious of the world around hi, especially the women who fawn over him. But he does love his fast cars and fast horses.
3. Very cocky. He’s a player. Women are all over him. And he loves it. And he loves to show off, which ironically gets him more women.
Haha … fun
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Jason, you’re loves to see men sweat comment made me think of her as a Succubus or something. LOL ANd the Mustang man, love him…
Fun stuff.
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1. She’s not as she appears. She’s really a panther, shiny & sleek, looking for her mate…
2. Ah, Mustang man…modern day Cowboy; drives his Mustang to work…he owns a rodeo…while he dreams of riding his Mustang…his Ms. Right (who happens to love couture shoes — foot fetish) runs the stables where his prized Mustang stays.
3. They are dancing…he’s an undercover detective (trying to gain info. from this lady) when he looks up to the sexy wallflower ever — only his “wallflower” is no sub…
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Sonya, love your undercover guy trying to get information for number three. I never would’ve saw that. See, thats why I love this exercise. Everyone sees different things.
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Oooh, I couldn’t tell it was the Beckhams in the last ad when I clicked on the link on my iPhone. (on my laptop, now) You know that they have got to be kinky
But it is a very sexy pic. What a great idea to help flesh out characters or scenes!
Carol
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What a great way to streach the brain! Thanks, Sasha
1) Lanca’s sexual allure is her curse, and every man she’s ever bedded comes up empty as her lithe body drinks in his soul. But how else is a sexy 400-year-old soul-eater to keep her figure? Taking to the wind, Lanca flips the international fashion scene the bird, seeking more fertile ground. She longs for is deliverance, for the love she can only observe, but the cost is her beauty.
2) Air Force Captain Maverick Jones, call sign ‘Mustang Jack’, is home from Iraq, the need for speed still running hot in his blood. Mustang Jack thinks he’s seen it all until he sees Lanca sitting behind the wheel of his ’68 fast-back Ford Mustang. Sparks, and perhaps even something deeper, fly between them, but the only thing Lanca will touch is the vial of holy water hanging around his neck. A simple trinket he found in the desert sands.
3) An international magician who steals the world’s greatest treasures through illusion is looking for a new partner. His last died in his arms. Must be adventurous, intelligent and agile. You game?
Nina
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Wow, Nina, you are good at this. You should write that story!!!
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Thanks Sasha! Someday, maybe.
I’m knee deep in a time-travel historical romance right now.