[stmercy2020]

This is a question for the writers out there:  In your genre, what stories do you look to for inspiration?

And, as I have (as always) an ulterior motive, let me further explain what I'm getting at.  I've been a long-time reader of both FM and FMG fiction.  More than that, even in mainstream literature and media, I have always had a strong preference for strong female characters (GI Jane, Undercover Blues, Shards of Honor, Barrayar- there are many others, too many to name).  Recently- very recently, I've started dabbling in writing, primarily in the genre of female strength and power, but I've also made a couple (exactly TWO at the time of this posting) stabs at FMG sequences.  It is, for me, possibly the most difficult style of writing to do and do well.  I don't think I've really managed it, yet, at least not to my satisfaction.  That said, I do have a couple of stories that I look at as, well, standards that I would like to someday meet.  Stories that, were I a better writer (as I hopefully will be with time,) I would emulate.

Strictly within the genres that I am writing in (in other words, I'm not going to tell you all about my favorite mainstream movies or plays or novels), the stories I look to include, but are not limited to:

FMG:  The Massive Potential series by Scoundrel (And he has a yahoo group now: YAY!)

A variety of stories written by Paul Smith- really just the origin stories for Caroline Everson and others of her ilk.  The other stories aren't properly FMG, but are rather FM- fun, but not the same.

The Coping With Power stories by demented20, particularly the chapters dealing with Moira's and Lisa's big fight.

FM/FSP: Once again, I have to give a shout out to demented20.  Love his stories, and I love the depth he gives his characters.

Gym Conqueror by 007– no real plot, but a very steamy, sultry read, nonetheless

Going Super and Modifications, both by Happiest in Shadows, because I aspire top make characters who are both powerful and interesting…

Okay.  Anybody have any suggestions for more stories they think I ought to investigate?  Let me know and, if I haven't already read them, I will.  If I have, I'll peruse them again with your comments in mind…

[Prophet Tenebrae]

You tease – telling us Scoundrel has a yahoo group and then not telling us where it is.

As to inspiration… most of my ideas are generally just borne of my own thinking. Although, occasionally I might read a story and think "That's a good idea"…

[stmercy2020]

It was not my intention to tease.  I was just lazy. 😉

Scoundrel's (and Cancuz's) yahoo group is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cancuz_scoundrel_art/?yguid=116778210

you have to tell them why they should let you in, but it's totally worth it.

That's cool that your ideas are your own, PT.  I think most authors generally work from their own imaginations first (I know I do)- what I'm thinking of, though, is what, stylistically, informs your writing?

I'm sorry if that's a little vague- I'm living in a bit of a white haze, at the moment, informed entirely by not enough sleep and way to much caffeine… 😀

[TC2]

I can't say I've had much "literary" inspiration.  Granted I've read some high quality FMG stories in the past back when I used to read, but nowadays there isn't really much that is "inspiring" that is in written form.  I've found that pictures, animations, movies, and other moving media have had a much more impact on creating inspiration rather than stories themselves.

Characters and scenarios seem to be most appealing to me, how a character would deal with being thrust into a situation where she is fighting for control of her body before the muscles and instinct part of her brain overtake her, etc.  But story wise?  I can't really say I've found anything that has hit the spot for me.

[Prophet Tenebrae]

I think the problem in FMG – and indeed, all bodily transformation cliches – is that you can go "I have an original idea!" and then read all the stories there are and go "Oh… that's been done before".

I think that good stories are more likely to make me think "I should go off and do some writing!" than anything… although, ironically it was a dearth of stories to my liking that made me go looking.

[stmercy2020]

I think the problem in FMG – and indeed, all bodily transformation cliches – is that you can go "I have an original idea!" and then read all the stories there are and go "Oh… that's been done before".

That's very true.  I'm actually less concerned about out-and-out avoidance of cliches.  They are a staple of the genre.  I would like to find a way to present cliched situations (The gargantuo-humongo arms filling to mega-super-uber babe proportions and bursting the frail, weak fabric of heroine's cotton sleeves) in ways that are still interesting and fun to read.

Hmm.  There may be a contradiction, there, but my brains are runny and dribbling out my ears, so I'm not sure…

I think that good stories are more likely to make me think "I should go off and do some writing!" than anything… although, ironically it was a dearth of stories to my liking that made me go looking.

That may be the single best definition of inspiration I've read in a long time, PT!

[AlexG]

When you say literary, I assume you're speaking of established authors that have been published in the mainstream, rather then on line.

My range of being strong inspired / influenced in my style of heroic sci-fantasy storytelling would have to include, but not strictly limited to, writers such as Robert Heinlein, Keith Laumer (Worlds of the Imperium & Jamie Retief, the Two-fisted Diplomat), Clifford Simak, Tolkein, James P Hogan, Edger Rice Burroughs, Dean Ing, Robert Adams (Horseclans & Castaways in Time) and S.M. Sterling (The Draka Trilogy).

Others such as Tom Clancy, Leon Uris and Clive Cussler, have had their influences, too.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[stmercy2020]

When you say literary, I assume you're speaking of established authors that have been published in the mainstream, rather then on line.

My range of being strong inspired / influenced in my style of heroic sci-fantasy storytelling would have to include, but not strictly limited to, writers such as Robert Heinlein, Keith Laumer (Worlds of the Imperium & Jamie Retief, the Two-fisted Diplomat), Clifford Simak, Tolkein, James P Hogan, Edger Rice Burroughs, Dean Ing, Robert Adams (Horseclans & Castaways in Time) and S.M. Sterling (The Draka Trilogy).

Others such as Tom Clancy, Leon Uris and Clive Cussler, have had their influences, too.

Nope- the title is slightly misleading.  As I stated in the body, I meant specifically from within the FM/FMG (or GT/GTS/GGTS) genres- whatever style you write in.  The reason I said literary was to avoid a deluge of references to pictures and video clips, because I'm specifically looking for linguistic variants and styles.

Some very nice references, though- I haven't read all of those; Heinlein, of course, and Tolkien, because anybody who claimed to be a Sci-fi/fantasy fan would have to be flogged and beaten if he hadn't perused their works, at least.  I've read, I think, all of the Jack Ryan/Johk Kelly/Rainbow Six stuff by Clancy and some of his non-fiction stuff, too.  Simak, Ing, and Sterling, check.

I'll have to keep an eye out at the library/used bookstore for those others…

[AlexG]

Nope- the title is slightly misleading.  As I stated in the body, I meant specifically from within the FM/FMG (or GT/GTS/GGTS) genres- whatever style you write in.  The reason I said literary was to avoid a deluge of references to pictures and video clips, because I'm specifically looking for linguistic variants and styles.

Ah, I missed that part.  Aside from those I listed, which have had the greatest influence on me, as for within the community, I would have to say that Hi-Standard stands out the most with me – tho my style and his differ widely in excution.  That and the fact that when I was invigorated to write my own, there was no outlet for male and female power couple stories – and no one (so far as I could discover) was writing them, either.  That was probably one of the major impetuous for me to do so, a challenge to be met and overcome.

I'll have to keep an eye out at the library/used bookstore for those others…

That might be especially true with the works of Robert Adams, last time I checked all of them were out of print, have been for about 15 or so years now.  He was quite a prolific writer in his day, starting from around 1974 until his death around 1990.  He's one of the few that had femuscular females in his stories and they were a prominent portion of his Horseclans series, especially with the Amazonian clan of The Moon Maidens.

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[stmercy2020]

Ah, I missed that part.  Aside from those I listed, which have had the greatest influence on me, as for within the community, I would have to say that Hi-Standard stands out the most with me – tho my style and his differ widely in excution.  That and the fact that when I was invigorated to write my own, there was no outlet for male and female power couple stories – and no one (so far as I could discover) was writing them, either.  That was probably one of the major impetuous for me to do so, a challenge to be met and overcome.

Hi-standard.  Check.  It used to be possible to find his website through Muscles of Deekay, right?  I may be making that up, though, as I can't seem to find those anymore.  Any idea where they're holed up these days?

That might be especially true with the works of Robert Adams, last time I checked all of them were out of print, have been for about 15 or so years now.  He was quite a prolific writer in his day, starting from around 1974 until his death around 1990.  He's one of the few that had femuscular females in his stories and they were a prominent portion of his Horseclans series, especially with the Amazonian clan of The Moon Maidens.

Damn.  I got one of the best public library systems in the U.S. where I'm living now, but when I move to Lake Havasu in a couple weeks, well, I don't know.  Hopefully there'll be something out there that won't require me to drive all the way out to Phoenix…

BTW, AlexG- did you get the PM I sent you?

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