Rosie Somers told me her
readers love to hear about how authors are inspired, so that’s the topic of my
blog post today. I hope you enjoy it!
How does inspiration strike? Is it like lightning? You’re walking along and suddenly an idea hits
you out of nowhere! Maybe, some of the
time, but ideas tend to come to me in a number of different ways.
1.
A Seed is Planted
a. Someone approached me about writing a
story about a female superhero. Over the
next few days, I started and stopped multiple stories before an idea formed. At
the base of it, it was what the woman’s power would be, but it slowly grew. I’d create a flawed character, who is
constantly given horrible choices to make, but there’s rarely an answer that is
clearly the right one.
b. That night, I wrote until one in the
morning. Over the next couple of weeks,
I went back to the story every few days, reading and editing. Then, I sent it to a few close friends and
family, got feedback, edited it, and made changes. Next, I submitted to my critique group and
did the same. And thus, my story was
created. (It’ll be coming out in a few
months, in an anthology with other writers).
c. This story is one of my favorites to
date. Usually, I think of a character
first, and fall in love with him or her.
It creates someone who feels like a real person, but I also often have
trouble being too “cruel” to my beloved character. Starting this way, I was able to throw some
truly tough curve balls, which made for an exciting and unexpected story.
2.
Changing Perspectives
a. My series, The Protectors of Tarak, is set in a place where women are
typically forced into traditional roles.
Their only escape is if they have magic and are able to become a
Protector. One night I was thinking
about how different it would be to have a female character who lives in a world
where she has the same freedoms as a man.
So, I focused on another part of my world, The Bloody Isles. This place is rougher… a combination of
Ireland and ancient Vikings (which is a blast), and Dessi’s series was born.
3.
Something Shiny
a. Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of
villains who are “hot.” This always
leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don’t
want every “bad guy” to be wretched looking, but my sense of right and wrong
starts pinging. It isn’t fair, bad
people shouldn’t look good… which is how the series I’m currently working on
sparked to life. I see something or
notice something, and as I’m washing dishes, or going through my day, an idea
starts to form.
There are plenty of ways ideas come to you, but the most
important thing to do is to actually sit down and start writing when
inspiration strikes. Halfway through,
you may realize… “uh, this kind of sounds like Harry Potter,” or something
equally popular, and you’ll be kicking yourself for the wasted time. Or you may realize, “ugh, this idea kind of
stinks.” But then, you’ll have other
times when you start writing and realize that your idea is awesome. And in that moment, all your hard work will
be worth it.
Want to read an awesome young adult fantasy novel? Check out “To Kill a Wizard” by Lisa Morrow (free with Kindle
Unlimited):
When eighteen-year-old
Rose is chosen to join a mysterious order of women known as The Protectors, she
hopes to escape a forced marriage and a miserable life. Instead, she unveils
the dark secrecy surrounding The Protectors, and uncovers the horrific truth
behind their power source. With her loyalty in tatters and her best friend’s
life held hostage, she must learn to unlock the powerful magic slumbering deep
inside her.
About Lisa Morrow
Lisa Morrow is a life-long reader who treasures fantasy
in all forms. Being a middle child in a large family gave her a unique
perspective on the world, but few experiences compare to her time spent
studying abroad in Cambridge, England and wandering throughout Europe.
After her travels, Lisa settled down in Arizona to teach junior high English, and later, to spend time with her young children, husband, and cats. To some people, her life may seem quiet. But to her, every day is spent in a world colored by the imagination of children, and fantastical worlds created by her very own mind.
After her travels, Lisa settled down in Arizona to teach junior high English, and later, to spend time with her young children, husband, and cats. To some people, her life may seem quiet. But to her, every day is spent in a world colored by the imagination of children, and fantastical worlds created by her very own mind.
Where to Find Me…
Website: www.lisamorrowbooks.wordpress.com/
Twitter:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003385210975
Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Morrow/e/B00X6S1EM6/
