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Thursday, November 01, 2012

Anita Clenney - An Inspiration Junky


Some people do things because they need to be done. Dirty dishes, vacuuming, writing a new book. Not me. I need a rush of inspiration to get me moving. I’ll pick up a decorating magazine and realize “hey, I need to spiff up the house.” Or how about dust all those gorgeous candle holders that my husband barely tolerates so I can use them without catching the house on fire. I don’t like being that way. I want to be one of those organized, self-disciplined people who just get it done because it needs to be done. But I’m the way I am, and I have to live with it or change it. At the moment, inspiration is still steering the boat. 

This brings me to writing, where inspiration truly is a help. Writers love telling stories or we wouldn’t be writers. It takes a lot of hard work to build a plot and characters into something that’s entertaining and engaging. There’s nothing worse than staring at that blank page with your fingers hovering over the keyboard and you have no idea what to write. I don’t call it writer’s block. I just have those moments when I need something to shake my creativity loose and give me that “ah ha” moment when things fall into place.

But sometimes inspiration comes when you don’t want it. I remember seeing the last Harry Potter movie. I was there to enjoy the movie when inspiration attacked me right there in my seat. It was such a powerful burst I got out my cell phone, a pen, and a scrap piece of paper. Or it may have been a fast food napkin I’d crammed into my purse. Anyway, as the movie was playing, I was sitting there with my phone held two inches above the paper, giving enough light so I could see what I was jotting down without disturbing anyone else. Of course hubby thought I was crazy, but I couldn’t not pay attention when ideas were flying at me like bats. It was great.

Lots of things inspire me. Movies, dreams, and driving through the countryside can be inspiration goldmines. I have very vivid dreams. If I could fully capture the essence of them in a book, I would have lots of bestsellers. And I seem to get great ideas just as I’m going to sleep or waking up. I’m not sure what that says about my conscious mind, but I’ve learned to keep a notepad or my cell phone by the bed. Many a night I’ve had my head underneath the covers so I didn’t disturb hubby while writing notes for a story.

There are other things that guarantee inspiration. Castles do it every time. Beautiful or haunting places. Haunting…hmmm I love ghostly anything. And mysteries, I love mysteries. How about catacombs, mysterious curses, relics, and old tombs? Love it! And sexy heroes. Yay! How about two of them?

All these elements are in Guardians of Stone, the first in my new relic seekers series coming December 4th. It’s described as Indiana Jones meets Stephanie Plum.

A feisty heroine with a sixth sense, and two sexy heroes, a mercenary, and a dark, eccentric billionaire are on a hunt for four powerful relics that could change their lives…and the course of history.


And coming in November, a prequel to Awaken the Highland Warrior.



Faelan – A Highland Warrior Brief. Faelan Connor was the most powerful warrior the clan had known, until a demon locked him in a time vault where he slept for 150 years, while he waited to save the world and meet his destined mate. You know how his story ends. Now we’ll travel back to the 19th century and experience Faelan’s journey through his eyes. We’ll find out how he became the Mighty Faelan and discover that he may have met Bree even before she was born. And we’ll find out what really happened inside the time vault.

So come on, share with us the craziest inspiration you’ve found. One random commenter will receive an autographed ARC of Guardians of Stone.

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Anita Clenney grew up an avid reader, devouring Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books before moving on to mysteries and romance. After working as a secretary, a Realtor, teacher’s assistant, booking agent for Aztec Fire Dancers, and a brief stint in a pickle factory (picture Lucy and Ethel--lasted half a day)…she realized she'd missed the fork in the road that led to her destiny. Now she spends her days writing mysteries and paranormal romantic suspense about Secret Warriors, Ancient Evil and Destined Love. Anita lives in suburban Virginia, outside Washington DC, with her husband and two kids.

***Anita's winner is Erin!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!***

22 comments:

Erin said...

I love Anita's books!

I am not sure this counts because I am not a writer but my main source of inspiration would have to be a ticking clock. For me, just knowing that time is running out for me to finish something never fails to get me going. I am also a procrastinator at heart and then wonder why I waited so long to start my 'chores.'

Even now the laundry is calling my name...

Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval) said...

I Haven't read anything by Anita but I sure just added her to my wishlist! Thesebooks sound amazing! :)

I wouldn't call it inspiration, but when it comes to housework, it has to be in the middle of the night before I get in the mood to clean. I'm not sure if it's because of the quietness or if it's just that I'm such a night owl, but someone could hold me at gunpoint during the day telling me to clean and I would have to think hard about doing it, LOL!

Laura said...

I love Anita's highland warrior series! Can't wait to read the new series and future highland warrior books!!!

erin said...

Thanks for the fun post and congrats to Anita on her newest release! I also haven't had the pleasure of reading her books yet but they sound fantastic! I'm not a writer, but I do find inspiration from books! Reading an uplifting or funny book changes my outlook on life sometimes and makes me more willing to give new things a try :)

Anita Clenney said...

Hi Erin, thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you've enjoyed my stories. A ticking clock is excellent inspiration. I'm a procrastinator as well.

Anita Clenney said...

Hi Leah, I'm a night owl as well, or maybe a vampire. I get most of my energy at night. Sometimes I write all night then sleep in spurts during the day.

Anita Clenney said...

Hi Laura, thank you! I love hearing that readers enjoy my books. I love writing them, so it's a win win!

Anita Clenney said...

Thanks, Erin. If you get a chance to check out my books, I do hope you enjoy them. They're so much fun to write.

Mary Preston said...

Castles inspire me & I don't write. I have a vivid image of you making your jottings as good vs evil on screen for HARRY POTTER.

pearlie369 said...

Well I had planned on writing about the inspiration that drives me and my daily life, until I saw the cover for Faelen's prequel. Now, the only inspiration I can think of is that picture and the absolute need it creates in me to find that guy's twin brother.

Stefanie said...

I wouldn't call it inspiration, but I try to do most of my cleaning and other housework at the beginning of the week. That way I have more time at the end of the week to read and do things slow and easy.

Pat Cochran said...

Life is long and then, all of a sudden,
it's not. This has inspired me to spend
as much time as possible with our ten
grandchildren. I want them to have lots
of good memories of Honey and I when we
are gone. I want them to always know how
much they are loved!

Pat C.

Barbara E. said...

What usually inspires me is a touching story I've read or seen on the news - usually to try to do more to help others, or to be a better person. :D

Anita Clenney said...

Mary, what's not to love about castles? They're so majestic, even if they're ruins. Love them.

Anita Clenney said...

Pearlie, LOL! That cover is pretty inspiring isn't it?

Anita Clenney said...

Stefanie, I need to take inspiration from you. I would love to have the cleaning done and out of the way early in the week.

Anita Clenney said...

Pat, very beautiful sentiment. I've found that the older I get, I'm getting so much more sentimental and conscious of family. My kids are pre teen and teen, and I've been thinking so much lately about how I need to do more to make this a great home. Memories are forever. We can't put enough emphasis on that.

Anita Clenney said...

Barbara, there are so many wonderful people in the world who are more concerned about others than themselves. I love hearing those stories. In fact, my mom is like that. She's amazing, the most caring, selfless person I know. She always puts others first. She's a huge inspiration for me.

Eli Yanti said...

I think author always inspired me to write story :)

Lory Lee said...

I get inspired when I know I did something good and it made someone smile or happy. I usually double my work with or without knowing it.

myrandaroyann said...

I've loved Anita's books and can't wait to read more by her! I think I need something to inspire me not to be such a procrastinator! I guess my weird inspirations would be the random connections I make in my brain which cause me to spout off things that confuse people because they weren't in my head for the train of thought. My mom and I both do that and a lot of times we're the only ones who know how the other got to a certain point. If I say something and people look at me funny, I ask them if they want me to give them the train of thoughts that led to my seemingly random statement. ;D

jmcgaugh said...

All kinds of things inspire me in one way or another; can't think of anything crazy, though. My best inspiration to get things done, though, is being on a deadline.