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.
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.
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:
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...
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!
I love Anita's highland warrior series! Can't wait to read the new series and future highland warrior books!!!
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 :)
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.
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.
Hi Laura, thank you! I love hearing that readers enjoy my books. I love writing them, so it's a win win!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Mary, what's not to love about castles? They're so majestic, even if they're ruins. Love them.
Pearlie, LOL! That cover is pretty inspiring isn't it?
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.
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.
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.
I think author always inspired me to write story :)
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.
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
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.
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