Due to interest from teachers and schools in Fur Before Feathers, I’ve decided to turn my writing efforts away from the world of Watcher for the time being and start on a new story in my YA Forbidden Doorways series.
I’ve been wanting to write Sullivan’s story for awhile now. Sullivan is Sander’s older brother and has a well-deserved reputation for being a troublemaker. His story, called In Search of Self, takes place after Sullivan’s left home and is trying to find his place in the world.
My ‘backbrain’ has been mulling over the opening, the events, and the other characters in his story for the last couple months, but several writing opportunities have gone by without that flash of inspiration that always sends me running to the keyboard.
Most of the time when I start a new project, I awaken in the morning with a character dancing in my head, nagging me with their very presence to write their story. But not Sullivan. Ever the rebel, he’s been strangely silent as he waited for me to find his story instead of shoving it in my face like all the others have.
And then the other day, I heard his song. His anger, his loneliness, his sense of isolation crashed over me like a tidal wave, and the flood of his story began.
The song is called Circadian Rhythm and is by the band Son Volt. And it was the spark that ignited Sullivan’s emotions.
The spark.
That elusive flash that opens the doors to other worlds and allows characters to step into our heads and tell their stories.
The spark is something that must be nourished with setting and dialog and a gentle breath so it will grow into a steady-burning flame, warming and lighting the way for the writer.
All good stories start with a spark. Good scenes do, too.
Music usually provides me the spark to write powerful scenes filled with emotion. Long warm showers irrigate the plot and bring new characters to life. Both are integral to my writing.
So tell me – how do you find your spark?
What sends you into another time, another place, another person?
What propels you to write?
I liked reading how you find your spark. I have never written a book, but on my blog I can be doing anything and suddenly an idea pushed into my mind and refuses to leave. It might only start out as one line that plays over and over in my head until I get to the keyboard. As soon as I start typing the rest comes rushing out.
That sounds awesome roh. Finding the spark can be hard. I’m looking for that myself.
Your music sure was inspiring. Thanks for linking it.
……..dhole
You’re welcome, Donna. Just keep you’re ears open for that special song…