So the other day I got drunk by myself and found myself thinking about what inspires me to write, to create characters and stories in my mind and try to somehow capture their essence with pen and paper.  I mean, art, or music, would be an easy answer, but what specifically inspires me?

This scene from 5 Centimeters per Second is near the top of my list.  I highly recommend the movie, even though it tears my heart to absolute shreds every time I watch it.

…

“To desperately and blindly stretch out our hands to the heavens, to launch such a big mass into the sky, and to fix our eyes on something in the darkness of the far reaches of space…

Even if only a little, I’ve come to realize why Tohno-kun seemed so different from the other boys.  And at the same time, I also came to the full understanding that Tohno-kun would never look at me.  That’s why, I did not say anything to Tohno-kun on that day.

Although Tohno-kun is kind… he’s very kind… but… Tohno-kun has always been looking at something far beyond, far higher than me…”