Where did you get that idea?

Before you can start writing, you have to have something to write about. An idea. A spark. Where does that come from. I've heard the question many times and it always makes me smile. For me, and many other writers, ideas come everyday, from an array of sources. It can be something mundane like gardening or something unusual like seeing a bright pink van with yard flamingos stuck into its bumper.

Either way, ideas usually spark a "what if" thought. It can be about a plot, a character, or a society. What if a farmer found a rare and powerful artifact while plowing a field? What if a demon fell in love? What if a city could protect its inhabitants?

At first, you may find it difficult to settle on a topic, but once you start, you will become more proficient. In fact, often ideas come when I'm waist deep in a project. Rather than allow myself to be sidetracked, I've found that if I make a notation, I can retain the idea and stay on track with my project.