I find myself to be most inspired by dreams. I have written 3 full novels (converted to screenplays), 3 fanfictions, and a series of children's books. With the exception of my Xander the Brave series for children, all of my works were inspired by dreams and a couple of nightmares here and there. 

Also, when I am writing heavily I don't like to read anything else. Right now I have a copy of Jordan's book 11 on my desk that I refuse to open until I get the final chapter of my last screenplay revised. I am terrified of inadvertanly stealing someone else's ideas....

I am rambling..just curious to know where everyone else get their inspiration.

Heh, all sounds so familiar!

The initial idea for The Elderine stone, I have to say was a dream, which set me of creating a magical fantasy world - and also my writing as a whole.

Normally I get inspiration from music, I love listening to orchestral music. It’s a great scene setter!

Oh my goodness, I know! I often catch myself developing scenes in my head for specific songs. Of course I love the classical music but, most of my writing inspiration comes from the heavier stuff...

Ha! Have you ever played out a written scene as if you were watching a movie. I have caught myself doing that on numerous ocasions, my editor too! Especially in those very exciting scenes, and the funny ones.

*blushes* yes, lol!! I think my kids think I am crazy sometimes.

Nothing is more inspiring than doom metal and dreams. A combination works best, but not at the same time:p

I usually find my inspiration from real life... I write the things that happened to me in a kind of "this is how it should have happened" -way... Pathetic I know, but I'm far too timid in real life to make the situations what I'd like them to be. :D

I was listening to that while I was writing, but it started bumbing me out so much that my production slowed to nearly nothing. Lately I've been listening to cheesey eighties pop while I write, but that's starting to grate now too.

Dreams are good. I think that's the seed of a lot of my work, but inspiration can come from anywhere. I've taken to carrying a little hardback journal with me and jotting little notes about story ideas or scene ideas or just ramdom thoughts I have from time to time so I can remember them.

Oh I'm living in Japan now, but I'm originally from Knoxville Tennessee in the U.S. BTW.

A good chunk of my ideas come from dreams... I guess it's because I like to sleep so much, I have a lot of dreams and I usually remember quite a few of 'em.

So many dreams in my head that're pestering to be made into stories...