Where do you find your inspiration?

[Warrax]

I mean in the context of writing Star Wars fanfic. Not where you find your ideas, but how do you get yourself into the mode of thinking within the SW continuity?

Whenever I want to write pilot fic, I invariably fall back on two books: Wraith Squadron and Starfighters of Adumar. When I want to get a little more grand, I focus on the Thrawn trilogy. Those, for me, are the pinnacle of the Star Wars EU. Sometimes I read the Maarek Stele stories, and occasionally I'll read some of the stories on here, because a lot of you are really talented.

So, how do YOU get into the SW mood?

[Durell]

That's a tough one. Given that I actually time (I swear Jes I'm going to get my promised done this year ) I mostly read fanfics I like and know. Or I'm reading a favourite passage from one of the books. Listening to the Star Wars soundtrack does help, too.

[Corellia's Dream]

I guess I've read enough of the books often enough, that's it's all fairly well ingrained. Plus I've run and played in long-lasting SW games since the first rulebook was released back in the 80's.
One of the first things I do with an idea is try to find a place for it in the timeline, which might take some checking with the books. Then I may pick up a novel from that timepoint and look at bits to refresh myself on what stage the characters were at, but it's not really necessary.

I've written enough SW fic now that it's not too hard to switch into SW mode. I don't have any SW music, but that would be a good way of getting into the right mood.