#InspirationEverywhere - Chicago Air and Water Show
Once I started taking writing more seriously, I discovered inspiration for my stories everywhere. Not just in books, film, or television, but in every aspect of my life. The outfits people wear while commuting to work. The brightness of the sun as it hits Lake Michigan, viewed from my office window. The action in the video games I play. And even in the Chicago Air and Water Show that happened this past weekend. With so much inspiration at hand, I decided to write a continual series about writing inspirations that others might overlook. Once you become aware and are actively searching for ideas, you’ll find #inspirationeverywhere!
Visually, the Air and Water Show is stunning. The aircraft are sleek, majestic, and take your breath away as they cut through the air like a knife. There’s the swelling tide of the crowd as they surge to and from the beach to watch the planes. Boats gather like white gulls on the water, bobbing and floating beneath the planes that soar overhead. And some planes are straight out of a science fiction film, ready to protect a city against an invasion of aliens.
But what truly struck me during the Air and Water Show was the sound. One jet was so loud, it set off all the car alarms on my street. And its noise was unique. It wasn’t like being next to a subwoofer at a club, the sound blasting apart your eardrums like tissue paper. It felt like rain thundering on a metal roof, or ten thousand men banging on heavy drums. It felt like the atmosphere was shattering. The Blue Angels have their own unique sound, like a leaf blower hooked up to a nuclear reactor tearing through the air and clouds, vibrating within your ribs.
Even the name, The Blue Angels, is powerful. Short, sweet, and to the point, it carries so much gravitas. Even if you know nothing about the military or planes, everyone has at least heard of the Blue Angels (in the US anyway). It’s a good reminder not to get too carried away. The Amazing and Fantastical Legion of the Blue Angels of America just doesn’t have the same swagger.
Am I going to be describing jets in detail in my novel? Absolutely not. But the inspiration, the metaphors, and poetry that came to mind during the show are lines I can incorporate into all sorts of stories. Once you start looking for #inspirationeverywhere you’ll be shocked with how much you find.
Did you attend the Air and Water Show? Have other strange places you’ve found story inspiration? Let me know!