* Her own life: The "Little House" books are largely autobiographical, drawing heavily from Laura's own childhood experiences on the American frontier. The hardships, joys, and everyday events she lived through formed the backbone of her stories.
* Her mother, Caroline Ingalls: Laura's mother was a skilled storyteller, who often shared tales of her own childhood and family history. This likely instilled in Laura a love for storytelling and a desire to preserve the past.
* Her own children: Laura was a devoted mother, and her children were her primary audience for her early stories. She wrote them down to entertain and educate her family, which likely contributed to her development as an author.
* The changing times: As Laura grew older, she saw the frontier disappearing and wanted to record the lives of those who lived through it. She wanted to preserve the history and the spirit of the pioneers before it was lost.
In conclusion, Laura Ingalls Wilder's writing was inspired by a combination of personal experiences, family influence, and a desire to record the past. While there might not be one single "inspiration," all of these factors contributed to the creation of the beloved "Little House" books.