You see this in vanity interviews. Question to stars, or notable people. Questions like, "Who are you influences?" Or "Who or what inspires you?"
Being asked such questions is a great honor, as it means that people are showing interest in you and want to know more about what helped fuel your career early on before became a success story. Ever once in a while I'll catch an interview excerpt where a star or someone I admire goes into what inspires them. I'd be curious to know what inspired:
To be a screenwriter, then director, then producer.
I'd be curious to know what motivated --
To pursue a career in music. T.S. didn't just "pop" out of the air and became a phenomenon in 2014 with the release of 1989, she existed before then; and put in the work to start a brand years before that breakthrough record.
As for me, I don't really have a lot of people I look to for "inspiration". I'm more of a great art admirer. If you do something well I'll take notice of it, and why I perceive it's so good.
One of my earliest "inspirations". Used to watch the opening line-up of Planet of the Apes movies (the ones made 1968-1974) growing up the suburbs of Chicago when I was a kid.
I just loved the world building in these movies. They helped shape my creative mind.
One of my earliest "inspirations". You can chalk that one up to TIMING. I was JUST starting to get into rock and roll when Def Leopard's Pyromania album came out.
Maybe it's a blonde thing, I don't know. Maybe it was the need for a mentor. But for the longest time I lauded THAT MAN. Even when I knew that some of his music was blasphemous, Like Rock of Ages... That's a blasphemous song, but I digress...
Joe Elliot used to be Joe Cool to me. But that flower wilted once I became saved and aware of Jesus. I always thought Def Leopard did Steve Clark wrong by releasing the song White Lightning on their Adrenilize album (1992).
It's taken some years to get that "inspiration" out of my blood. But the hold that Joe Elliot USED to have on me is no more, thank you, Jesus.
Sometimes in life you choose the wrong mentor. Joe Elliot isn't worth being a mentor to anyone.
This is the first movie I can ever remember binge seeing while had its theatrical run. I was living in Boise, Idaho at the time. Had a good paying job, but was socially empty. This heart-warming movie filled a void in my heart, and really started the ball rolling as to me shaping my own ideas of how I wanted my romantic comedies to be.
YES, I'll always be more Amy Schumer/Judd Apatow than Sandra Bullock/Bill Pullman. But While You Were Sleeping had a profound impact on my development.
Writing wise, I can't think of anyone I ever wanted to emulate. So to claim anyone ever "inspired me" would be a lie. Growing up I read a lot of Conan the Barbarian books, read the Chronicles of Narnia, and read several Stephen King novels; but when I writing, myself, I always took the position that I want to be favorably compared the all-time greats. But I've NEVER aspired to copy their style. I'm a maverick. I wanna develop my own style.
Images like this one --
Remind me of the script I wrote at the onset of my Lit Expression phase. When the Motorcycle Calls was FUN to write. Hopefully, I'm able to convey a similar feel to ALL writings I back by phrase, "written by E.C. Henry"; but I'll let others be the judge of that. All I can attest to is that I tried and gave it all I had.
My "inspirations" fuel ALL my writing. Who or what you deem as "cool" matters. It helps define the color and texture of your feel as a creative.
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