People often ask how I come up with story ideas. It’s difficult to describe that little flicker of creative that bursts into a flame and eventually consumes me until I have to tell the story.
My ideas don’t always arrive in the same way. Once, I woke up from a dream with a full-blown story from start to finish. Other times, it is a scene in my mind and a character clamoring to have his or her story told. I am definitely inspired by the things around me. A place I visit, a song I hear or something someone says to me all play into the creative process.
My Latest Novel
The idea for Anna’s Fresh Start has been percolating for years. I design websites and I used to have an older client who wrote a book about an old war ship. He loved history and we would chat all the time about different wars. One day, we were talking about the Civil War and I remember there were female spies from something I’d read.
Michael sent me an entire box of books on the Civil War and a few on female spies for both North and South. It sparked my curiosity and soon my character was created in my mind. I’d think of her from time to time She didn’t yet have a name or a story. She just was–only creatives will understand what I mean. Anna, without a name at the time, was waiting for her turn.
The Idea Gets Refined
One of my writing friends, Lisa Prysock, asked if I would like to be part of the Brides of Pelican Rapids series set just after the Civil War in Minnesota. Instantly I knew it was time to tell Anna’s story. It would be from the viewpoint of having been a spy and trying to start anew.
I did a little more research to figure out where she fit in the war. It didn’t take me long to model her after my late cousin who passed a couple of years ago. They had the same feisty spirit but loving nature. She even looks a lot like my beautiful cousin, except for the eyes. My cousin had bright blue eyes like all my cousins do but fictional Anna’s eyes are a unique hazel.
As I created my story board and fleshed out the plot, the entire story took place, including Anna’s fears for her sisters and conflict over whether or not she made the right choices.
Refilling the Well
I finished my book a while ago, but I keep refining, editing and changing bits and pieces. Today was the last day to upload my version for readers for the release day on the 30th of September.
I feel spent. No ideas are percolating and I have another project I have to finish and get in place by January 1st (short but has to be done ahead of time for edits and such).
When I get that way, I know it’s time to refill the creative well, as Julia Cameron would say. I made it through 28 years of writing and the ups and downs of it. I survived the pandemic and what it did to my creativity. I know I just have to pray for inspiration and see the beauty in the world around me. The idea will come and I will love it when it does. For now, I’m still living in 1870 and loving the town and characters. I hope you enjoy it, too. You can pre-order Anna’s Fresh Start for only 99 cents through September 30th, 2024. Then, the price goes up to $2.99. https://amzn.to/47Z8D5L
